NO-STRESS. Guide to the SAT Subject Tests

Transcription

1 NO-STRESS Guide to the SAT Subject Tests

2 01 What Are SAT Subject Tests? The SAT Subject Tests are 1-hour exams designed to measure specific knowledge in particular academic areas like biology or world history. Although the SAT may get most of the glory, at many schools the SAT Subject Tests are just as important when it comes to college admissions. This is particularly true at highly selective schools and programs, including schools in the University of California system. * With that said, the popularity of SAT Subject Tests still pales in comparison to that of the SAT and ACT. Only about 292,000 students who apply to college take the SAT Subject Tests each year, while over 1.5 million students take the SAT and 1.4 million take the ACT. Some of the more popular Subject Tests include Math Level 2, U.S. History, Literature, and Math Level 1. * Beginning with the freshman class entering in the fall of 2012, the UC schools will no longer require students to take SAT Subject Tests.

3 ABOUT How Do SAT Subject Tests Differ from the SAT? So, what really are the differences between the two tests? The content of the tests is not the same. There are 20 different Subject Tests from which you may choose. The key word here is choose. So, if you have a particular strength in Latin, then this is the time to shine. The SAT, on the other hand, gives you no such choice. The SAT is comprised of Math, Critical Reading, and Writing you re stuck with all of them. Test length: the SAT Subject Tests are much shorter! The SAT is an exhausting 3 hours and 45 minutes long. Each Subject Test lasts only 1 hour, so it tends to be a bit more manageable. BUT, you can take up to three different SAT Subject Tests at one time; so, if you decide to take three in one day, well, then you ll be there for a lot longer than an hour. Scoring on both tests is pretty much the same. Each correct answer earns you one raw point, each incorrect answer costs you onequarter of a raw point, and unanswered questions don t affect your score. This raw score is then converted into a scaled score from , the same scale that is used for the SAT sections. Average scores vary greatly by subject. The mean score on the SAT is around 500, whereas the average scores on the SAT Subject Tests range from about 580 (Literature) to about 763 (Chinese). The most important difference? The SAT or ACT is required by nearly every college while SAT Subject Tests are not. In general, only highly selective colleges and universities require or recommend that you take Subject Tests for admission.

4 SAT Subject Tests and College Admissions 03 Which schools require or recommend the SAT Subject Tests for admission? Usually highly selective institutions such as the schools of the Ivy League, as well as Duke, Amherst, MIT, and UC Berkeley *, among many others. Most ask that you take anywhere from two to three Subject Tests. Many other schools recommend that you take Subject Tests, but don t make it a requirement for admission. Translation: take some! If you re going up against applicants who have submitted Subject Test scores, your application will look better if you have them. In other cases, particular departments of colleges may require Subject Tests. For example, it s not uncommon for an engineering department to ask that you take a Math Level Subject Test even if it s not listed in the application requirements. Since the tests are given in specific academic areas, some colleges use them to decide whether an applicant can earn exemption from certain required courses. For example, a great score may excuse you from a school s foreign language requirement (which can make for a nice start to your college career). * Beginning with the freshman class entering in the fall of 2012, the UC schools will no longer require students to take SAT Subject Tests.

5 04 Which Subject Tests Do Colleges Prefer? Some colleges have specific requirements while others do not. Do a little investigative work before you start taking tests. Once you find out what the required tests are, if any, part of your decision making is done. If you are planning to major in a scientific field in college, then it may be a good idea to take a science-related Subject Test to show your expertise in that subject matter. On the other hand, an engineering-focused school like MIT will care most about how you do on the Math Level 2 Subject Test.

6 THE TEST Math Subject Tests 05 What Tests Are There? Math Level 1 Math Level 2 Content Tested Math Level 1 Algebra Simple Algebraic Functions Plane Geometry Solid Geometry Coordinate Geometry Basic Trigonometry Elementary Statistics Miscellaneous Topics Math Level 2 Algebra Algebraic Functions & Graphs Solid Geometry Coordinate Geometry Trigonometry Statistics Basic Number Theory Miscellaneous Topics Notes Sometimes when schools have particular Subject Test requirements, they ask you to take one of the Math tests. Both tests require you to have a scientific calculator. While both Math tests are challenging, Level 2 is more difficult than is Level 1. Taking the Math Level 2 test is appropriate for those who have had a year of trigonometry or precalculus and have done well in that class. It s worth noting that while Math Level 2 is more difficult, the test is scored on a comparatively generous curve.

7 06 Science Subject Tests What Tests Are There? Biology E/M Chemistry Physics Notes Everyone who takes the Biology E/M Subject Test must choose between two specialties, Ecology or Molecular Biology. Of the 100 questions presented on the Biology test, you answer 60 core questions common to both versions and 20 questions from your chosen specialty group. The Chemistry Subject Test is divided into three sections, each of which contains different question types. Content Tested Biology E/M Molecular Biology Evolution and Diversity Organismal Biology Ecology Chemistry Cellular and Basic Chemistry (Mass, Volume, Density, etc.) Classical Genetics Elements, Atoms, and Ions Chemical Reactions and Stoichiometry Electron Configurations and Radioactivity The Periodic Table and Bonding Solids, Liquids, and Gases Solutions Kinetics and Equilibrium Acids and Bases Redox and Electrochemistry Organic Chemistry Laboratory Physics Mechanics Thermal Physics Electricity and Magnetism Waves Modern Physics

8 THE TEST History Subject Tests 07 What Tests Are There? U.S. History World History Content Tested U.S. History American Colonization and earlier American Revolution to the Civil War Post-Civil War (1865 present) Modern (1750 present) World History Ancient Civilization Middle Ages ( ) Enlightenment/Renaissance ( ) Cross-chronological Notes While many of the other Subject Tests arrange their questions in order of difficulty, the U.S. History Subject Test does not. Instead, questions on this test are arranged in sets according to a particular time period. Within each set of questions, which vary in number, there is a rough order of difficulty, with the last question in a set being the hardest. 50% 60% of the questions on the World History Subject Test concentrate on Western Civilization.

9 08 Language Subject Tests What Tests Are There? Chinese with Listening French French with Listening German German with Listening Modern Hebrew Italian Japanese with Listening Korean with Listening Latin Spanish Spanish with Listening Content Tested Non-Listening Language Subject Tests Vocabulary and Structure Paragraph Completion Reading Comprehension Listening Language Subject Tests Listening Section Reading Section Pictures Vocabulary and Structure Rejoinders Paragraph Completion Selections Reading Comprehension Notes The Listening tests are given only once per year in November and at limited test centers. You must bring your own CD player to the test location because one will not be provided. Many colleges use your scores from these Subject Tests to place you in the appropriate-level language class.

10 English Subject Test 09 What Test Is There? Literature Content Tested Meaning, including Theme, Argument, and specific Connotations of Words Form, including Genre, Structure, and Organization Tone, including Diction, Syntax, and Emphasis Figurative Language, including Imagery Narrative Voice Characterization Notes The Literature test is made up of six to eight passages, most of which are from either English or American works. Each passage will be followed by 5 to 10 questions.

11 ADVICE 10 When Should You Take Your SAT Subject Tests? It s best to take Subject Tests as close as possible to the corresponding course work you may be doing. For example, if you plan to take the Chemistry Subject Test and you are currently taking chemistry in high school, then don t postpone the test until next year, because you may forget much of what you have learned. Normally, if you have taken an AP course in a particular discipline, then you ve covered the great majority of the material tested on the Subject Test. So, if you take an AP Exam in May, then you may want to take the corresponding Subject Test in June. One other thing worth mentioning is that sometimes students think they need to wait until their junior year to take Subject Tests. Well, that s definitely not the case. If you re taking a biology course in the ninth grade, or world history in the tenth grade, then take the Subject Test at the end of that year. (Of course, if you re planning to take AP Biology, then you may want to wait.) For other subjects that you ll be taking, such as math and foreign languages, you should probably wait until you ve had about three years of the subject.

12 How You Can Prepare 11 Competition for admission to top colleges is tougher than ever, so how you prepare can make a big difference to your chances of being accepted. The Princeton Review spends literally millions of dollars every year studying the various standardized tests. Slight adjustments and trends are rapidly incorporated into our methodology, giving our students a unique advantage over those who prepare elsewhere. The Princeton Review offers multiple options to prepare for the SAT Subject Tests. Classroom Courses All of our Subject Test courses have small class sizes in order to create an intimate learning environment that is more conducive to mastering the material. Each class includes: A subject-specific manual 2 full-length, subject-specific practice tests Excellent teachers who are experts in the subject they teach We offer classroom courses for the following SAT Subject Tests: * Math Level 1 Math Level 2 Biology (E/M) Physics Chemistry U.S. History Tutoring Programs Our Private Tutoring and Small Group Tutoring programs offer a distinctive, tailored approach to preparing for any of the SAT Subject Tests. Not just anyone can be a Princeton Review tutor. We handpick our tutors from our most gifted classroom teachers. Sure, our tutors all have high test scores and have mastered the material, but, just as importantly, they ve all demonstrated the highest level of teaching skills and have received superb evaluations before being promoted to the tutoring division. We guarantee you ll be psyched about your tutor and your score. Call us at 800-2Review ( ) or visit PrincetonReview.com to learn more about all of our preparation. *Available in select locations

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16 Books The Princeton Review offers a wide array of test preparation books for the SAT Subject Tests: Cracking the SAT Math 1 & 2 Subject Tests Cracking the SAT Biology E/M Subject Test Cracking the SAT Chemistry Subject Test Cracking the SAT Physics Subject Test Cracking the SAT U.S. & World History Subject Tests Cracking the SAT Spanish Subject Test Cracking the SAT French Subject Test Cracking the SAT Literature Subject Test SAT Subject Tests are the registered trademarks of The College Board. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University. 09JUNHS07