2014-15 SAT Subject Tests™ A Guide for Educators MATHEMATICS | HISTORY | SCIENCE | LITERATURE | LANGUAGES Help students show what they know. Showcase achievement Students can benefit from SAT Subject Tests™ by: ÆÆ Differentiating themselves on their college applications by providing colleges with a more complete picture of their academic achievements and interests ÆÆ Highlighting their strengths in particular subjects or programs of study, such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), the humanities, or foreign languages ÆÆ Placing out of introductory classes and, in some cases, earning course credit ÆÆ Showing proficiency in subjects not offered on any other national standardized college admission tests, such as biology, chemistry, physics, history, and foreign languages ÆÆ Demonstrating achievement in subject areas that do not rely on English language mastery such as mathematics, science, and foreign languages ÆÆ Fulfilling college requirements; many schools require or recommend SAT Subject Tests for admission or placement purposes. SAT Subject Tests™ at a glance What they are ÆÆ Hour-long college entrance exams based on high school course work ÆÆ 20 tests offered across five subject areas: mathematics, languages, science, history, and literature ÆÆ Each test is scored on a 200- to 800-point scale How colleges use them ÆÆ To gain greater insight into student academic achievement ÆÆ To contextualize student grades and other credentials to make admission decisions ÆÆ To place students in the appropriate college course level How you can help your students get ready ÆÆ Ensure they know of the tests early in their high school career ÆÆ Advise which SAT Subject Tests™ to take and when to take them ÆÆ Connect them to free and affordable practice tools at SATSubjectTests.org Advising your students Help them choose which tests to take Students should consider taking the tests in subjects in which they have an interest or excel. They should research whether prospective colleges require or recommend specific Subject Tests for admission. Even if students haven’t chosen “As counselors, our colleges yet, they may still want to consider taking a Subject Test at the end of a job is to help kids not course in a subject they are interested in. They can decide later whether or not to miss opportunities send their scores. throughout high Make sure they register school as they prepare for the college process. The easiest way to register is at sat.org/register. For students without online access, Subject Tests are paper registration guides are also available from high school counseling offices. an opportunity for See if they qualify for fee-waiver service students to develop Eligible students may receive fee waivers to take up to three SAT Subject Tests in a strong college each of two sittings (up to six tests in total). Fee waivers are available for students admission portfolio in grades 9–12 and are in addition to fee waivers given for the SAT®. and keep a broader range of schools Help them understand how the SAT Subject Tests available to them and Advanced Placement® work together on their lists.” SAT Subject Tests are high school–level tests, reflecting high school curricula. The tests indicate a student’s readiness to take college-level courses in specific — Matthew DeGreeff, Director of College subject areas. On the other hand, AP® Exams assess a student’s college-level Counseling, Middlesex knowledge, skills, and abilities learned in the corresponding AP courses taken School, Concord, Mass. during high school. Students can benefit from the SAT Subject Tests because they provide an additional opportunity to show colleges their knowledge of specific subjects. In addition, Subject Tests can serve as a useful barometer of readiness for AP Exams. Inform them about Score Choice™ Score Choice™ is an optional feature allowing students to choose which SAT Subject Test scores to send to colleges, in accordance with each institution’s stated score- use practice. If Score Choice is not used, all scores are sent to the selected score recipients. Students should still feel comfortable sending all scores, because most colleges consider a student’s best scores. Learn more at SATSubjectTests.org/educators The importance of timing When to take SAT Subject Tests The best time to take Subject Tests is after completing the corresponding course or set of courses. For foreign languages, mathematics, and literature, it may be beneficial to have two or more years of experience. More information on the recommended course work required for each Subject Test can be found at SATSubjectTests.org. Plan well in advance ÆÆ By letting students know about the Subject Tests in their freshman and sophomore years, you can help give them the best chance to do well on the tests, expand their college options, and reinforce a college-going mind-set. Students who wait until fall of senior year to take tests based on the previous year’s courses may miss an opportunity to put their best foot forward. ÆÆ Since not every test is offered on every test date, encourage your students to review the SAT Subject Test calendar early so they can plan accordingly. SAT Subject Tests are flexible, so students can: ÆÆ Choose to take tests in subjects they know well ÆÆ Take one, two, or three 60-minute tests per sitting ÆÆ Change the subjects or the number of tests they want to take on test day (except for Language with Listening tests) “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 Practice resources Because the SAT Subject Tests are based on high school course work, the best way to prepare is by reviewing classroom material. It’s also a good idea to learn about question formats and the topics each SAT Subject Test covers. Your students can find this information, plus a range of updated practice tools, at SATSubjectTests.org. ÆÆ SAT Subject Tests Online Practice Questions with detailed answer explanations — FREE ÆÆ Getting Ready for SAT Subject Tests Practice Booklet — FREE ÆÆ The Official Study Guide for all SAT Subject Tests™ — with answer explanations for all 20 Subject Tests ÆÆ The Official SAT Subject Tests in Mathematics Levels 1 & 2 Study Guide™ ÆÆ The Official SAT Subject Tests in U.S. and World History Study Guide™ “Junior spring is often the most appropriate time to sit for Subject Tests.” — Katharine L. Fretwell, Director of Admission, Amherst College How colleges use SAT Subject Tests Used for admission, placement, and more ÆÆ The tests fulfill admission recommendations or requirements and are especially helpful if students are interested in specific programs or majors. ÆÆ They give additional context to other admission factors, such as grades and course choices. ÆÆ They offer greater insight into the academic achievement of students whose best language is not English or who are home-schooled or taking courses online. ÆÆ They allow students to satisfy basic requirements for certain majors or programs of study. ÆÆ More than 160 colleges and universities nationwide utilize the tests to place students into specific courses. Some may also offer course credit based on Subject Test performance. Combined with other standardized college admission tests Colleges that require or recommend SAT Subject Tests often do so in conjunction with other standardized college admission tests, like the SAT. ÆÆ Nearly 80 percent of institutions that require or recommend SAT Subject Tests do not allow other national standardized admission tests as a substitute. By taking SAT Subject Tests, students can broaden the set of colleges and universities that they can apply to. ÆÆ SAT 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 science Subject Test (i.e., biology, chemistry, physics), students should take a high school–level course in the corresponding subject. In contrast, other national standardized admission tests in science assess reading comprehension of science topics rather than more in-depth content knowledge. What the SAT Subject Tests cover Subject Description Course Work Preparation –ÆThree years of college-preparatory –ÆAssesses mathematics knowledge through Mathematics mathematics: the first three years of college-preparatory Level 1 –ÆTwo years of algebra mathematics course work –ÆOne year of geometry –ÆMore than three years of college-preparatory mathematics: –ÆAssesses mathematics knowledge through Mathematics –ÆTwo years of algebra the first three years of college-preparatory Level 2 mathematics course work and precalculus –ÆOne year of geometry –ÆElementary functions (precalculus) and/or trigonometry –ÆAssesses understanding of general biology –ÆCovers knowledge of fundamental concepts, –ÆOne-year college-preparatory course in application, and interpretation skills biology: Biology E/M –ÆOne-year course in algebra and familiarity (Ecological/ –ÆBiology E focuses on biological communities, with simple algebraic concepts such as ratios Molecular) populations, and energy flow and direct and inverse proportions –ÆBiology M focuses on biochemistry, cellular structure, and processes, such as respiration –ÆLaboratory experience is helpful and photosynthesis –ÆOne-year college-preparatory