Offered throughout the academic year (not March/April), the SAT Subject Tests are one-hour mostly multiple-choice tests measuring actual competence in twenty-two academic subject areas from the high school classroom.
Students can choose up to three different tests to take on any one test date. Not all subject tests are offered on every test date! Subject tests can be retaken at a later date in the same subject.
Requirements vary by college, but students scoring above 1800 on the SAT are usually required to take two or three subject tests. Cumulative subjects such as Math Level IC or IIC, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, U.S. History and World History are usually taken at the end of a school year in June, when a student has just finished studying for high school final exams and is at peak command of the material. For students pursuing an AP Course, the May test date might be better. Our preparation may also double as professional review for high school final exams since both the Subject Test and high school final are testing the same material.
Non-cumulative subjects (English Literature and Foreign Languages) may be taken at any time. Later test dates usually produce slightly better scores in these areas.
Generally, we use two appointments for each Subject Test. In the first appointment, a student is proctored through a real past one-hour Subject Test. An instructor then immediately grades, scores and curves the test; explains every error and leaves correct written solutions for every missed problem. We then categorize the errors, review areas of weakness, brush away cobwebs, fill in pot holes and leave an outline of what a student needs to review. We also provide a second different test for homework after a student has completed the review. The second appointment duplicates the review portion of the first appointment. Additional review is available by the hour if desired. The tests and notes are always the student’s property to carry home and further study.