2013-14 A Guide for Educators

SAT Subject Tests™ Help students show what they know.

MATH HISTORY SCIENCE LITERATURE LANGUAGES Showcase Achievement

Students can benefit from SAT Subject Tests by: SAT Subject Tests™ at a glance 4Differentiating themselves on their college applications by providing colleges with a more complete picture of their What they are academic achievements and interests; 4 Hour-long college entrance exams 4Highlighting their strengths in particular subjects or based on high school course work programs of study, such as STEM (science, technology, 4 20 tests offered across five subject engineering, math), the humanities or foreign languages; areas: math, languages, science, 4Placing out of introductory classes and, in some cases, history and literature earning course credit; 4 Each test is scored on a 200- to 4Showing proficiency in subjects not offered on any 800-point scale other national standardized college admission tests, such as biology, chemistry, physics, history and foreign How colleges use them languages; 4 To gain greater insight into student 4Demonstrating achievement in subject areas that academic achievement do not rely on English language mastery such as math, 4 To contextualize student grades and science and foreign languages; and other credentials to make admission 4Fulfilling college requirements; many schools require decisions or recommend SAT Subject Tests for admissions or 4 To place students in the appropriate placement purposes. college course level Students can take the tests How you can help your students get ready with confidence 4 Ensure they know of the tests early Content on SAT Subject Tests comes directly from topics taught in the classroom. Based on a survey conducted by the in their high school career College Board, the knowledge and skills measured by Subject 4 Advise which SAT Subject Tests™ to Tests were taught in high school classrooms by take and when to take them 4About 97% of English teachers; 4  Connect them to free and affordable 4About 80% percent of math teachers; and practice tools at SATSubjectTests.org 4Over 82% of science teachers.* Additionally, 90% of math and English high school teachers A complete list of the SAT Subject Tests, what they cover and and college professors indicated that Subject Tests measure the 2013-14 test schedule are on the last pages of this brochure. knowledge and skills that are valuable for college.*

*Source: College Board Curriculum Survey of 10,000 high school teachers and college professors. “As counselors, our job is to help kids not miss opportunities throughout high school as they prepare for the college process. Subject Tests are an opportunity for students to develop a strong college admission portfolio and keep a broader range of schools available to them on their lists.” — Matthew DeGreeff, Director of College Counseling, Middlesex School, Concord, MA

Advising your students Help them understand how the SAT Subject Tests and Help them choose which tests Advanced Placement® work to take together

Students should consider taking the tests in subjects in which SAT Subject Tests are high school–level tests, reflecting high they have an interest or excel. They should research whether school curricula. The tests indicate a student’s readiness prospective colleges require or recommend specific Subject to take college-level courses in specific subject areas. On Tests for admission. Even if students haven’t chosen colleges the other hand, AP® Exams assess a student’s college-level yet, they may still want to consider taking a Subject Test at the knowledge, skills and abilities learned in the corresponding end of a course in a subject they are interested in. They can AP courses taken during high school. Students can benefit decide later whether or not to send their scores. from the SAT Subject Tests because they 4Provide an additional opportunity to show colleges their Make sure they register knowledge of specific subjects; and 4Can serve as a useful barometer of readiness The easiest way to register is at sat.collegeboard.org/register. for AP Exams. For students without online access, paper registration guides are also available from high school counseling offices. Inform them about Score Choice™ See if they qualify for fee- Score Choice™ is an optional feature allowing students to waiver service choose which SAT Subject Test scores to send to colleges, in

Eligible students may receive fee waivers to take up to accordance with each institution’s stated score-use practice. three SAT Subject Tests in each of two sittings (up to six If Score Choice is not used, all scores are sent to the selected tests in total). Fee waivers are available for students in score recipients. Students should still feel comfortable grades 9–12 and are in addition to fee waivers given for sending all scores, because most colleges consider a student’s best scores. the SAT®.

Learn more at SATSubjectTests.org/educators

Look on the back for the SAT Subject Tests calendar. The importance of timing SAT Subject Tests are flexible, so students can: When to take SAT Subject Tests 4Choose to take tests in subjects they know well; The best time to take Subject Tests is after 4Take one, two or three 60-minute tests per sitting; and completing the corresponding course or set of 4Change the subjects or the number of tests they want to take courses. For foreign languages, mathematics and on test day (except for Language with Listening tests). literature, it may be beneficial to have two or more years of experience. More information on the Practice resources recommended course work required for each Subject Test can be found at SATSubjectTests.org. Because the SAT Subject Tests are based on high school course work, the best way to prepare is by reviewing Plan well in advance classroom material. It’s also a good idea to learn about question formats and the topics each SAT Subject Test covers. 4By letting students know about the Subject Tests Your students can find this information, plus a range of in their freshman and sophomore years, you can updated practice tools at SATSubjectTests.org. help give them the best chance to do well on the 4SAT Subject Tests Online Practice Questions with detailed tests, expand their college options and reinforce a answer explanations — FREE college-going mindset. Students who wait until fall 4Getting Ready for SAT Subject Tests Practice Booklet — of senior year to take tests based on the previous FREE year’s courses may miss an opportunity to put 4The Official Study Guide for all SAT Subject Tests — with their best foot forward. answer explanations for all 20 Subject Tests 4Since not every test is offered on every test date, 4The Official SAT Subject Tests in Mathematics Levels encourage your students to review the SAT 1 & 2 Study Guide™ Subject Test calendar early so they can plan 4The Official SAT Subject Tests in U.S. and World History accordingly. Study Guide™

“Junior spring is often the most approriate time to sit for Subject Tests.” — Katharine L. Fretwell, Director of Admission, Amherst College “We have found a high correlation between a student’s performance on the Subject Tests and first year grades and success ... in those areas. With so many differences in curriculum, courses [and] grading scales … the Subject Tests give us additional academic information to consider.” — Greg Roberts, Dean of Admission, University of Virginia

How colleges use SAT Subject Tests 4The tests fulfill admission recommendations or requirements SAT Subject Tests and other and are especially helpful if students are interested in specific programs or majors. national, standardized college 4They give additional context to other admission factors, such admission tests as grades and course choices. Colleges that require or recommend SAT Subject Tests 4They offer greater insight into the academic achievement often do so in conjunction with other standardized college of students whose best language is not English or who are admission tests, like the SAT. home-schooled or taking courses online. 4Nearly 80 percent of institutions that require or 4They allow students to satisfy basic requirements for certain recommend SAT Subject Tests do not allow other national majors or programs of study. standardized admission tests as a substitute. By taking 4More than 160 colleges and universities nationwide utilize the SAT Subject Tests, students can broaden the set of tests to place students into specific courses. Some may also colleges and universities that they can apply to. offer course credit based on Subject Test performance. 4SAT Subject Tests assess students’ grasp of fundamental concepts in specific subjects and their ability to apply that knowledge. For example, to properly prepare for a SAT Subject Tests are aligned with science Subject Test (i.e., Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Common Core State Standards in math students should take a high school–level course in and English. Based on a College Board the corresponding subject. In contrast, other national alignment study, standardized admission tests in science assess reading comprehension of science topics rather than more in- 4About 90% of the skills and content depth content knowledge. tested on the SAT Subject Tests in Math are covered on the Common Core State Standards in math; and Important to colleges, SAT Subject Tests can indicate 4Nearly 100% of the skills and content tested on the SAT Subject Test in interest in specific majors Literature are covered on the Common In a recent College Board study, students who took any SAT Core State Standards in English Subject Test in mathematics or science were nearly five times language arts. more likely to declare a major in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) subject area than students who did not take math or science Subject Tests. What the SAT Subject Tests cover

Subject Description Course Work Preparation

Mathematics Level 4Assesses mathematics knowledge 4Three years of college-preparatory 1 through the first three years of college- mathematics preparatory mathematics course work 4Two years of algebra 4One year of geometry

Mathematics Level 4Assesses mathematics knowledge 4More than three years of college- 2 through the first three years of college- preparatory mathematics preparatory mathematics course work 4Two years of algebra and precalculus 4One year of geometry 4Elementary functions (precalculus) and/or trigonometry

Biology E/M 4Assesses understanding of general One year college-preparatory course in (Ecological/Molecu- biology biology lar) 4Covers knowledge of fundamental 4One year course in algebra and familiarity concepts, application and interpretation with simple algebraic concepts such as skills ratios and direct 4Biology E focuses on biological and inverse proportions communities, populations and energy 4 Laboratory experience is helpful flow 4Biology M focuses on biochemistry, cellular structure and processes, such as respiration and photosynthesis

Chemistry 4 Covers the major concepts of chemistry One year college-preparatory and the ability to apply these concepts in course in chemistry problem-solving scenarios 4Familiarity with simple algebraic 4Requires the ability to organize and relationships and applying these to interpret results obtained by observation solving word problems and experimentation 4Familiarity with concepts of ratio and direct and inverse proportions, exponents and scientific notation 4 Laboratory experience is helpful

Physics Assesses the understanding of the major One year college-preparatory concepts of physics and the ability to apply physics course physical principles to solve specific problems 4Laboratory experience is helpful 4Familiarity with simple algebraic, trigonometric and graphical relationships, as well as the concepts of ratio and proportion and ability to apply these to physics problems 4Familiarity with the metric system Subject Description Course Work Preparation

Literature 4Assesses how well the student has 4Three or four years of college- learned to read and interpret literature preparatory literary study 4Covers poetry, prose and drama in English and American literature from the Renaissance to the present

U.S. History 4Assesses knowledge of and ability to use 4One year college-preparatory material commonly taught in U.S. history U.S. history course and social studies courses in high school 4Covers political, economic, social, intellectual and cultural history, as well as foreign policy, from pre-Columbian history to the present

World History 4Assesses understanding of key One year college-preparatory developments in global history, the world history course application and weighing of evidence, and the ability to interpret and generalize 4Covers the development of major world cultures, from ancient times to the present, in all historical fields: political and diplomatic, intellectual and cultural, and social and economic

Foreign Language Tests

Languages (Reading Only) 4Assesses the ability to read by testing 4Two to four years of study in high French, German, Italian, Latin, vocabulary use, language structure and school or the equivalent, or two Modern Hebrew, Spanish comprehension of variety of texts years of strong preparation Languages with Listening 4Assesses listening comprehension Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish

Learn more at SATSubjectTests.org/educators

Look on the back for the SAT Subject Tests calendar. 2013-14 Test Dates Register now for the SAT Subject TestsTM

2013 2014 Test Dates* Oct 5 Nov 2 Dec 7 Jan 25 Mar 8 May 3 Jun 7 Early International Aug 28 Sep 25 Oct 30 Dec 18 N/A Mar 26 Apr 30 Registration Deadline Regular Registration Deadline Sep 6 Oct 3 Nov 8 Dec 27 Feb 7 Apr 4 May 9

Late Registration Deadline Sep 20 Oct 18 Nov 22 Jan 10 Feb 21 Apr 18 May 23 SAT ® l l l l l l l SAT Subject TestsTM Literature l l l l l l Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics l l l l l l SAT Subject Tests are not offered on this date Mathematics Levels I and II l l l l l l

United States (U.S.) History l l l l l l

World History l l

Languages: Reading Only

French, Spanish l l l l l German, Modern Hebrew l Latin l l

Italian l Languages with Listening You may take only one listening test at a time. Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish l

*Sunday tests are usually administered the next day. Please visit sat.org for the most up-to-date information. Deadlines expire at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time. Be sure to review the test calendar carefully as not all subjects are offered on every test date. The SAT Subject Tests offered on each test date are subject to change. Please check online for the latest test schedule.

Learn more at SATSubjectTests.org/educators

770559 College Board, achieve more, Advanced Placement, AP, SAT and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of the College Board. SAT Subject Tests, Score Choice, The Official SAT Subject Tests in Mathematics Levels 1 & 2 Study Guide, The Official SAT Subject Tests in U.S. and World History Study Guide and The Official Study FSC Logo Guide for all SAT Subject Tests are trademarks owned by the College Board. 13b-7689