SAT Subject Test dates approach

By Kylie McPherson
Talon staff reporter
As the end of the year approaches, most juniors are in the process of signing up for very important tests. Tests such as the SAT, the ACT, the ASSET test, the ASVAB, and the SAT 2 Subject tests are all testing options. When faced with all of these options, test taking can become exponentially more overwhelming-- resulting in a few questions from students. Questions such as: What tests should I take? Why should I take them? One of the tests that continues to fall under the juniors’ radar during early spring is the SAT Subject test.

“Subject tests are not college admissions tests but it may be an additional admission requirement,” said HRV counselor Tammy Hosaka. The SAT Subject Tests measure a students’ knowledge in a specific topic and the students’ ability to apply their knowledge from these topics. Some of the topics that one can be tested on include: literature, US history, world history, mathematics level 1 (number and operations, algebra and functions, geometry and measurement, data analysis, and statistics and probability), mathematics level 2 (the same contents as level 1 but includes trigonometry and precalculus also), biology, chemistry, physics, and nine different language tests (see collegeboard.com for full list).

After seeing brief information on the different subject tests offered, some students may begin to ask themselves why they would need to take this test. “Highly selective colleges and most California schools require (2 to 3) subject tests by December of the applicant’s senior year,” informed HRV counselor Amy Hooper. Students who are not looking at California colleges or highly selective colleges most likely don’t have to take the subject tests. “A good way to know, for sure, if you need to take these tests is by checking the college website or call their admissions office,” said Hooper.

Once a student has discovered their dream college’s requirements for the subject tests they must choose which tests to take. One simple way to decide is visit to the college websites to check for any required subject test. “Sometimes you can choose the subject and sometimes the college chooses the subject,” said Hosaka. If the college does not require a specific subject there are a few tips for choosing topics. The first tip is obvious-- test in a subject that you enjoy. The mere fact that you are actually interested in the material will help you excel on the exam, and not struggle through studying. The second tip is to take tests in subjects that match up with your current courses. For example a student who is taking AP US History, Advanced Biology, and Medical Biology should consider taking the US History test and the Biology test.

The most important tip a student should know for preparing for the subject tests is to research them and sign up for them as soon as possible. As Hosaka said “Plan ahead.”

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