Know 3 Things About SAT Subject Tests Before You Study

SAT subject tests allow students to demonstrate their command of an array of academic topics. Some colleges require these tests, while many others consider the test scores as part of students' overall application.

For students who decide to sit for one or more SAT subject tests, here are three aspects of the exam they should research before beginning test prep.

[Learn the three questions to ask before taking SAT subject tests.]

• Exam format: SAT subject tests are multiple-choice exams. A fraction of a point is deducted for each incorrect response, with the number of answer choices determining the precise penalty – fewer answer choices mean a higher deduction per wrong answer. For this reason, guessing without strategy is an ineffective option, while identifying even a single wrong answer per test question can boost your score.

Before you begin preparing for your selected exam, consider strategies that will help you identify responses that are obviously incorrect. For example, for tests in math, learn to estimate answer ranges without calculating exact values. For exams in science, knowing key principles can help you eliminate implausible responses.

One of my students, Anneke, was a perfectionist, like many students who are applying to elite institutions. She loathed marking answers without being certain she had chosen the best possible response. When she was not confident in a choice, she left the question blank.

But with some convincing, she was able to increase her practice scores by learning to live with uncertainty – and by crossing off wrong answers.

[Read about ways to reduce anxiety on test day.]

• Exam timing: SAT subject tests occur in an intense one-hour time slot. Students can take up to three exams in one day, although it is often preferable to spread the testing over several months.

The primary effect of a one-hour exam window is that you do not have much padding in terms of pace. If one section of an SAT subject test gives you pause, you may not have time to catch up later. These tests require you to closely monitor the time and avoid lingering on any one question.

Before you begin your review, research how many questions you can expect in a given exam. Since certain questions are simply more challenging than others, it doesn't make sense to limit yourself to a certain number of seconds per test item. Instead, consider splitting the exam into four sets of questions, and be firm in taking 15 minutes per section.

If you start to run out of time for a section, mark your place and move to targeted guessing by eliminating obviously incorrect choices and selecting plausible answers. If you have any time remaining, you can always review your work.

Another student, Mari, learned the importance of this strategy as she took practice Mathematics Level 1 tests and realized that she continually ran out of time. She was selecting the correct responses on most of the questions she answered, but she was also leaving points on the table by running out of time before she finished the exam.

After working on pacing and targeted guessing, she improved significantly – she was able to quickly answer the easiest questions on the test, while making high-probability guesses on the harder ones.

[Learn how to leverage your learning style for better test results.]

• Exam scoring: SAT subject test results are reported as a number between 200 and 800, as well as a percentile. The scaled score is intended to show the relative quality of your result, while the percentile result demonstrates how you compare to other students.

These measures may seem to be two ways of stating the same information, but there are several important distinctions. The scaled score is a representation of your command of the material, relative to an idealized high school student. For most competitive schools, your target should be at least 650-700, and 700+ for the most selective universities.

Also, the percentile rank can be misleading. Remember that it is likely that only students who are fairly confident of their knowledge will attempt an SAT subject test, so the pool of test-takers is elite to begin with.

When one of my students, Austin, was considering science degrees at several top schools, he thought the Mathematics Level 2 and physics SAT subject tests would help his chances. Fortunately, he completed several practice exams first and discovered that his scores were 730 in Mathematics Level 2 but only 630 in physics.

Forewarned, Austin focused his prep work on the physics test and was able to boost his final score to a more competitive 690. Going from 730 to 750 in Mathematics Level 2 likely would have affected his applications less, since both scores are in the very good range.

Before you dive into full test prep mode, complete a practice test for each SAT subject test you are considering taking and review your scores. Determine which subject test or tests you should invest your time and energy into preparing for and which you are able to take with little additional practice.

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