What is SAT Subject Test?
SAT
Talk to ExpertLatest Update: SAT Subject Tests have been discontinued for international students since 2021.
A lot has been talked about SAT General Tests. However, today we will discuss all SAT Subject Tests. Broadly speaking, SAT Subject Test is divided into 5 subjects. These subjects are further categorized into smaller topics. The various SAT Subjects include:
- Mathematics
- Science
- English
- History and
- Languages
SAT Subject Test vs SAT General Test
SAT 1 vs SAT 2 – Subject Test or SAT 2 is a more subject-focused test. Candidates looking to apply to a particular course in a college can take the SAT Subject Test to exhibit his knowledge and understanding of that particular subject. The SAT General Test, on the other hand, has been developed to evaluate the written, verbal and mathematical skills of the candidates seeking admission to undergraduate schools. The Scholastic Assessment Test is conducted by The College Board.
Also read:
SAT Mathematics Subject Test
The Mathematics subject is divided into 2 levels,
- Math Level 1
- Math Level 2
SAT Mathematics Level 1 and Level 2 are for candidates who are looking to study in similar fields pertaining to mathematics. The main difference between the syllabuses for the SAT Math Subject Tests is that while the Math Level 2 has all the subjects covered in Level 1 along with the inclusion of trigonometry and elementary functions (precalculus). Candidates can check out the detailed SAT Mathematics Syllabus for SAT Math Level 1 and SAT Math Level 2 below.
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SAT Subject Test Mathematics – Math Level 1
| Particulars |
Syllabus |
| Questions: 50 (multiple choice) Duration: 60 minutes Points: 200-800 |
Number and Operations Algebra and functions Geometry and measurement (plane Euclidean, coordinate, three-dimensional, and trigonometry) Data analysis, statistics, and probability |
SAT Subject Test Mathematics – Math Level 2
| Particulars |
Syllabus |
| Questions: 50 (multiple choice) Duration: 60 minutes Points: 200-800 |
Number and operations Algebra and functions Geometry and measurement (coordinate, three-dimensional, and trigonometry) Data analysis, statistics, and probability |
Confused between SAT Mathematics Level 1 and Level 2: Candidates who are confused between the two should opt for the one that they are most familiar with. Candidates who have shown extraordinary skills in trigonometry or elementary functions (precalculus) or both should opt for SAT 2 Math whereas candidates looking to score high points and not so familiar with topics covered in level 2 should opt for SAT 1 Math. It is important to factor in the requirement of the candidates’ University and Programme of choice.
SAT Science Subject Test
The SAT Science Subject is further classified into
- Biology E/M
- Chemistry
- Physics
SAT Subject Test Biology E/M
Candidates who are opting for SAT Biology Ecological or Biology Molecular are basically inclined towards pursuing Science in their higher education. This section of SAT tests candidates on their knowledge of diversity, evolution, concepts around micro-level biology and other major concepts that they would have read in their high school. The SAT Science paper tests the candidates on their fundamental concepts and knowledge, application processes and Interpretation skills.
SAT Science – Biology E/M
| Particulars |
Syllabus |
| Questions: 80 (multiple choice) Duration: 60 minutes Points: 200-800 |
Cellular and molecular biology Genetics Organismal biology Evolution and diversity |
SAT Subject Test Chemistry
SAT Chemistry Subject Test evaluates the candidates’ understanding of major concepts of chemistry and their ability to apply these principles to solve specific problems. This section of the test measures the fundamental concepts, application, and synthesis of knowledge of the candidate.
SAT Science – Chemistry
| Particulars |
Syllabus |
| Questions: 85 (multiple choice) Duration: 60 Points: 200-800 |
Structure of matter Reaction types Stoichiometry Equilibrium and reaction rates Thermochemistry Laboratory Descriptive chemistry States of matter |
SAT Subject Test Physics
SAT Physics Subject Test measures the candidates’ understanding of concepts of introductory physics on as well as reasoning and problem-solving skills derived from lab experience. This particular section evaluates the candidates’ knowledge of fundamental concepts and his ability to solve single and multi-concept problems.
| Particulars |
Syllabus |
| Questions: 75 (multiple choice) Duration: 60 Points: 200-800 |
Mechanics Electricity and magnetism Heat and thermodynamics Modern physics Miscellaneous Waves and optics |
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SAT English Subject Test
SAT English Subject Test allows candidates to highlight their strength in reading and interpreting literary texts from a variety of historical periods and genres. Candidates are mostly required to solve questions from prose passages, primary excerpts from fiction, essays, poetry, and drama.
| Particulars |
Syllabus |
| Questions: 60 (multiple choice) Duration: 60 Points: 200-800 |
American literature English literature Other literature is written in English |
SAT History Subject Test
The SAT History Subject is further classified into
- US History
- World History
SAT US History Subject Test
Candidates looking to appear for this section of the exam are required to showcase their grasp of history since pre-Columbian times.
| Particulars |
Subjects |
| Questions: 90 (multiple choice) Duration: 60 Points: 200-800 |
Political history Economic history Social history Intellectual and cultural history Foreign policy |
SAT World History Subject Test
Candidates looking to appear for this section of the exam are required to showcase their grasp of developments across the globe since ancient times.
| Particulars |
Subjects |
| Questions: 95 (multiple choice) Duration: 60 Points: 200-800 |
Global or comparative Europe Africa Southwest Asia South and Southeast Asia East Asia The Americas |
SAT Languages Test
Candidates appearing for the SAT Language Test is required to highlight their understanding of the particular language through the writing or/and speaking methods. The languages for which candidates can appear for the exam are mentioned below. Candidates appearing for the listening exam will be allowed 20 minutes for listening questions and 40 minutes for reading questions out of the total 60 minutes duration.
| Particulars |
Languages |
| Questions: 85 (multiple choice) Duration: 60 minutes Points: 200-800 |
Spanish Spanish with Listening French with listening Chinese with listening Italian German German with listening Modern Hebrew Latin Japanese with listening Korean with listening |
Q: What is SAT exam given for?
SAT exam is given by high school students who are applying for admission to universities abroad. Most of the US, Canada, UK, Italy and a few Australian universities accept SAT scores for undergraduate admissions from international students. In some cases, students may have a choice to either submit a SAT score or ACT score or even exempt them from submitting any of these standardised tests for admission. SAT exam pattern is very different from ACT, with new changes in SAT, the duration has reduced for SAT exam as well. Most preferred among international students is the SAT exam and a large number of students sit for this exam.
Q: How many times is SAT conducted in a year?
SAT exam is conducted seven times in a year, in India and globally. The SAT exam is conducted in the following months annually:
- March
- May
- June
- August
- October
- November
- December
SAT exam is conducted on Saturdays of the above-given months. Sunday testings are unavailable in India. Applicants can check out the latest dates on - SAT Exam Dates.
Q: What is the purpose of SAT exam?
The purpose of SAT exam to check the student's readiness for college level education by testing them on theirhigh school knowledge. Based on the student's performance in SAT exam, the colleges are able to compare the performance and admit students based on their scores on SAT exam. Thus, this is the sole purpose of SAT exam to test the students.
Q: What is the importance of SAT exam?
SAT is an important deciding factor in considering admissions to universities abroad at large. Importance of SAT can be understood this way:
- It helps admission committee understand an applicant's potential academically, and offer or not offer him admission.
- Higher the SAT score, higher is the possibility of admissions (keeping other things in check like documentation, good moral character, etc.).
- Better scope for getting a scholarship to support education abroad if scored well on SAT.
- Based on SAT scores, admission committees can also assess an applicant's level of critical thinking, time management skills including problem solving skills.
Thus, these reasons are essential to determine what is the importance of SAT exam scores for admissions.
Q: What is SAT score choice?
With Score Choice, one gets the freedom to report the score he/she chooses to send to colleges. The candidate can choose the score report by test date or by individual test for SAT Subject Tests. However, before sending the scores always make sure to check with the college or the scholarship program to which you are applying, as many colleges and scholarship programs require students to send all their scores. If the candidate doesn’t select Score Choice then College Board will send all the available scores of the candidate to the colleges which he/she has selected as score recipients.
Q: Does the list of SAT exam centres change frequently?
No, as such the list of SAT exam centres does not change so frequently by College Board. The availability of SAT exam centre may vary based on the chosen SAT exam date by the applicant. Thus, in case the centre is closed then the applicants will have to check for other options.
Q: What is the full form of SAT?
Q: What are SAT score recipients?
Applicants while registering for SAT exam have the option of indicating which colleges or universities their SAT scores are to be forwarded once they are released. The SAT scores are released to those recipients (colleges and/or universities) and once they are delivered the status against each recipient changes to delivered. Thus, this way applicants can check whether or not their SAT scores have been delivered to their college or university of application post SAT results are declared. Applicants can mention upto four recipients to whom score reports can go to once the results are declared of the SAT exam.
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Hello Diksha. Kindly register on the official SAT website. on registration, you will be asked to create your profile and chose the exam you are interested in. you can select, SAT Subject Test, here. for the official website link, visit here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/exams/sat/how-to-register