The SAT Subject Tests were a series of standardized tests offered by the College Board that measured a student’s knowledge and understanding of specific subjects. This article will explore the history of the SAT Subject Exams, what subjects were available, and how they were scored.
History of the SAT Subject Exams
The SAT Subject Exams were first introduced in 1937 as Achievement Tests. The tests were designed to measure a student’s knowledge and understanding of specific subjects, including English, mathematics, science, and foreign languages.
Over the years, the tests were renamed, and the subject offerings were expanded. In 1995, the tests were renamed the SAT II: Subject Tests. In 2021, the College Board announced that it would no longer offer the SAT Subject Tests or the optional SAT Essay.
Subjects Available
The SAT Subject Exams offered 20 different subject tests at the height of their popularity. The subjects available included:
- English Literature
- Mathematics Level 1
- Mathematics Level 2
- Biology E/M
- Chemistry
- Physics
- U.S. History
- World History
- 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
Why Take an SAT Subject Test
Students take SAT Subject Tests for a variety of reasons. Some students took the tests to demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in a particular subject, which could be helpful in the college admissions process. For example, a student who excelled in mathematics may have taken the Math Level 2 test to showcase their skills to colleges. Other students took the tests to fulfill specific college requirements, such as a foreign language requirement. In some cases, a high score on an SAT Subject Test could also earn a student college credit or advanced placement in a particular subject. While the SAT Subject Tests are no longer offered, students may still take Advanced Placement (AP) exams, which are similar in format and purpose.
Scoring
The SAT Subject Exams were scored on a scale of 200-800. Each subject test was one hour long and consisted entirely of multiple-choice questions. The scores were based on the number of questions answered correctly, with no penalty for incorrect answers.
In addition to the raw score, students received a percentile rank, which compared their scores to those of other students who took the same test. The percentile rank was based on the most recent group of students who took the test.
Final Thoughts
The SAT Subject Exams were a series of standardized tests offered by the College Board that measured a student’s knowledge and understanding of specific subjects. The tests were provided in various topics, including English, mathematics, science, and foreign languages. They were scored on a 200-800 and provided students with a percentile rank. In 2021, the College Board announced it would no longer offer the SAT Subject Tests.
