Answer the easy questions first. Mark only one answer for each question. Pace yourself. Answer the questions you know first and come back later to those you didn’t know. Guess smart. If you can rule out one or more answers as wrong, your chances of guessing correctly among the remaining choices improve. Omit questions only when you have no idea how to answer them.

Use your test book for scratch work. Transfer your answers to your answer sheet. You will receive credit ONLY for what is written on your answer sheet. Mark your answer in the correct column. The answer sheet has five circles for each question. Some questions, though, have only three or four possible answers.

Erasing Answers

If you need to erase an answer, erase it as completely as possible. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you start a test and decide that you are not ready for it, you should cancel your scores. Do not erase all your answers. You must complete a cancellation form.

Canceling Scores

If you want to cancel your scores, you must cancel scores for ALL Subject Tests you take at an administration unless your equipment malfunctions.

Language Tests with Listening

Bring an acceptable CD player to the test center. Your CD player MUST be
1. equipped with earphones
2. portable (handheld)
3. battery operated
You are not allowed to use a CD player with recording or duplicating capabilities. Make sure your CD player is in good working order.

Insert new batteries the day before the test. You may bring additional batteries and a backup player to the test center. Test center staff will not have batteries, CD players, or earphones for your use. You may not share a CD player with another test-taker. If the volume on your CD player disturbs other test-takers, the test center supervisor may ask you to move to another seat.

If your CD player malfunctions:

1. Raise your hand and tell the test supervisor.

2. Switch to backup equipment, if you have it, and continue to test.

3. You may cancel your score on the listening test  if you do not have backup equipment. Scores for other Subject Tests you take that day will not be canceled.

If you encounter problems with your CD, such as occasional skipping, try to work through the problem and keep testing if possible. If necessary, raise your hand and ask the supervisor for a replacement CD. If a replacement is not available, a makeup test will be arranged.

After the Tests

Most, but not all, scores will be reported online several weeks after the test date. Your score report will also be mailed to you and to the high school, colleges, universities, and scholarship programs you indicated when you registered or when you sent additional scores.

SAT Subject Tests (also knows as Sat 2 tests or Sat II tests) are one-hour multiple-choice tests that measure how much you know about a particular academic subject and how well you can apply that knowledge.

Subject Tests fall into five subject areas: English, history, mathematics, sciences, and languages. They help colleges compare the academic achievement of students from different schools where course preparation and academic backgrounds may vary widely.

Subject Test results can be added to your portfolio to support your competency in academic areas, even if the  tests are not required by colleges to which you’re applying.

How Colleges Use Subject Test Scores

Colleges use Subject Test scores, in combination with other information (your high school record, scores from other tests, teacher recommendations, etc.), as a dependable measure of your academic background and achievement and as a good predictor of your future performance. The scores help colleges determine how well prepared you are for different programs, place you in freshman and higher-level courses, and advise you on course selection.

How to Register

All the information you need to register and report scores to colleges is available online at www.collegeboard.com/sat and in the SAT Registration Booklet available in your school counselor’s office.

How to Prepare

Know what to expect on your tests. Study the descriptions of the tests, directions, and sample questions in this website. For Listening Tests, ask your counselor for a copy of the practice audio CD that was sent to your school. Become familiar with the test directions. Some tests, such as the Chemistry Subject Test, may have directions you will need to know before you take the test, so you’re not surprised or confused on test day. Know how the tests are scored. You get one point for each correct answer and lose a fraction of a point for each incorrect answer. Omitted answers are not counted either way.

Take official practice tests and review test-taking approaches with The Official Study Guide for all SAT Subject Tests.

When to Take Subject Tests

Read the test descriptions in this website. See how  much preparation is recommended and when the tests are offered. Ask your teacher or counselor for advice.