SAT Subject Test

SAT Subject Tests were 20 multiple-choice standardized tests given by the College Board on individual subjects, typically taken to improve a student's credentials for college admissions in the United States. On January 19, 2021, the College Board discontinued Subject Tests. This was effective immediately in the United States, and the tests were to be phased out by the following summer for international students.

Tests

There were 20 different tests in 2020, the last year in which subject tests were offered, 12 of them in foreign languages. Examinees were required to bring an acceptable calculator to take the Mathematics tests (calculators were not permitted on any other test) and a CD player to take the language with listening tests.

Many colleges used the SAT Subject Tests for admission, course placement, and to advise students about course selection. Some colleges specified the SAT Subject Tests that they required for admission or placement; others allowed applicants to choose which tests to take. Students typically chose which tests to take depending upon college entrance requirements for the schools to which they planned to apply. From their introduction in 1937 until 1994, the SAT Subject Tests were known as Achievement Tests, and until January 2005, they were known as SAT II: Subject Tests. They are still commonly known by these names. Every test was a one-hour timed test. Historically, the exception to the one-hour time was the writing test, which was divided into a 20-minute essay question and a 40-minute multiple-choice section. The writing test was discontinued in January 2005.

Tests discontinued earlier

* Writing Subject Test
* English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT)

These were discontinued after January 2005 when the SAT II in Writing was incorporated into the SAT.

Scoring and admissions

Each individual test was scored on a scale of 200 to 800; however, on some of the tests it was impossible to get a 200. For example, if someone got every question wrong on the Mathematics Level 2 test, they could receive a score of 310, depending on the test-specific curve. The only exception was the ELPT, which was scored on a scale of 901 to 999.

Prior to the first administration of the new SAT Reasoning Test (which included the writing section) in March 2005, some highly selective colleges required applicants to take three SAT Subject Tests, including the writing test and two other tests of the applicant's choosing, in addition to the SAT. However, when writing became a standard component of the SAT Reasoning Test, most selective colleges recommended applicants submit scores for any two SAT Subject Tests. Engineering schools might recommend or require Chemistry or Physics and Math Level 2. No schools required three Subject Tests and Georgetown was the only remaining school to 'strongly recommend' taking three Subject Tests.

The California Institute of Technology, which previously required subject tests, no longer required or considered them as of 2020.

Schools also varied with regard to their SAT Subject Test requirements of students submitting scores for the ACT in place of the SAT: some schools considered the ACT an alternative to both the SAT and some SAT Subject Tests, whereas others accepted the ACT but required SAT Subject Tests as well. Information about a school's specific test requirements could typically be found on its official website.

In October 2002, the College Board decided to drop the "Score Choice" option for exams, due to the fact that it disproportionately benefited wealthier students taking the exam who could afford to take it multiple times. Score Choice meant that scores were not released to colleges until the student approved the score after seeing it. However, the "Score Choice" option was reinstated as of the March 2009 test, allowing test takers to again choose whether or not to send scores.

Answer sheet

The answer sheet had room for 115 answers; however, no test had more than 95 questions. 1–100 were standard multiple-choice bubbles and 101–115 were for 'relationship analysis questions', which were only used for the chemistry exam. The biology test was the only test to use answers 96–100; questions 1–60 were common to both the E and M tests, in addition, the E used 61–80, and the M used 81–100.

Discontinuation

The subject tests and the optional SAT essay were discontinued on January 19, 2021, for U.S. students and in June 2021 for international students. This was done as a response to changes in college admissions due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education. The discontinuation was also due to preference for Advanced Placement courses and its exams.

See also

* College admissions in the United States
* ACT (American College Testing)

References

External links

College Board's descriptions of the SAT Subject Tests.College Board Examination and Test DatesSAT Fees

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United States educational programs
Student assessment and evaluation
Standardized tests in the United States
Educational evaluation methods