SAT Subject Tests are hour-long, multiple-choice standardized exams that focus on specific academic subjects. They provide an opportunity for students to showcase their expertise and passion in a particular area, whether it’s mathematics, history, languages, or science. This allows students to prove their ability for college admissions in the United States and more. Also referred to as SAT 2, the SAT Subject Tests are a requirement for many students wanting to study abroad.
SAT Subject Tests are hour-long multiple-choice standardised exams that focus on specific academic subjects. They provide an opportunity for students to showcase their expertise and passion in a particular area, whether it’s mathematics, history, languages, or science.
This allows students to prove their ability for college admissions in the United States and more. Also referred to as SAT 2, the SAT Subject tests are a requirement for many students wanting to study abroad.
Are the SAT Subject Tests cancelled?
As of January 19, 2021, the College Board confirmed that the SAT Subject Tests are canceled. This means there will be no more sittings for the Subject SAT exams going forward. Be sure to check with your prospective university about their policy regarding the SAT Subject Tests going forward—this information will be available on individual college websites for the most up-to-date information. As per the latest updates, they have been discontinued worldwide as of June 2021.
SAT Subject Test Syllabus
In 2020, there were 20 different Subject SATs offered by the CollegeBoard. The
SAT subject tests can be further divided into 5 subcategories:
● English
● History
● Maths
● Science
● Language
List of SAT Subject Tests
The SAT Subject tests has 5 subcategories, which are further divided into History, Math, Science, Language. The exact test you need to take is heavily reliant on your course and should be available on your application website.
Below is a extensive SAT subject test list with previous average scores for your reference:
Subcategory | Test | Average Score (2016) |
English Literature | SAT Subject Test in Literature | 599 |
History | SAT Subject Test in United States History | 624 |
History | SAT Subject Test in World History | 615 |
Math | SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1 | 599 |
Math | SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2 | 690 |
Science | SAT Subject Test in Biology (Ecological) | 616 |
Science | SAT Subject Test in Biology (Molecular) | 647 |
Science | SAT Subject Test in Chemistry | 668 |
Science | SAT Subject Test in Physics | 667 |
Language | SAT Subject Test in Chinese with Listening | 761 |
Language | SAT Subject Test in French | 634 |
Language | SAT Subject Test in French with Listening | 664 |
Language | SAT Subject Test in German | 636 |
Language | SAT Subject Test in German with Listening | 629 |
Language | SAT Subject Test in Modern Hebrew | 614 |
Language | SAT Subject Test in Italian | 677 |
Language | SAT Subject Test in Japanese with Listening | 704 |
Language | SAT Subject Test in Korean with Listening | 764 |
Language | SAT Subject Test in Latin | 632 |
Language | SAT Subject Test in Spanish with Listening | 660 |
SAT Subject Test Fee
Each SAT Subject Test is individually cheaper than taking the general SAT exam. However, if you choose to take multiple Subject SATs, the cost will increase with each additional test and can become more expensive. Here is a breakdown of SAT pricing: after an initial registration fee of $26, you will have to pay an extra $22 for every additional Subject SAT. This fee increases to $26 if the Subject SAT has a listening section.
However, if the Subject SAT fee is too expensive, you can look into Subject SAT fee waivers, which allow you to get up to six fees waived.
SAT Subject Test Dates and SAT Subject Test Deadline
Since the SAT Subject tests are cancelled, there are no available test dates following July 2021, so there are no SAT Subject Test dates 2023 but here is an indicative list of the past dates:
SAT Subject Test Dates 2020
SAT Subject Test |
SAT Subject Test Date |
English Literature |
6 June 2020 |
29 August 2020 |
|
3 October 2020 |
|
7 November 2020 |
|
5 December 2020 |
|
8 May 2021 |
|
5 June 2021 |
|
Biology E/M |
6 June 2020 |
29 August 2020 |
|
3 October 2020 |
|
7 November 2020 |
|
5 December 2020 |
|
8 May 2021 |
|
5 June 2021 |
|
Chemistry |
6 June 2020 |
29 August 2020 |
|
3 October 2020 |
|
7 November 2020 |
|
5 December 2020 |
|
8 May 2021 |
|
5 June 2021 |
|
Physics |
6 June 2020 |
29 August 2020 |
|
3 October 2020 |
|
7 November 2020 |
|
5 December 2020 |
|
8 May 2021 |
|
5 June 2021 |
|
U.S. History |
6 June 2020 |
29 August 2020 |
|
3 October 2020 |
|
7 November 2020 |
|
5 December 2020 |
|
8 May 2021 |
|
5 June 2021 |
|
World History |
29 August 2020 |
5 December 2020 |
|
5 June 2021 |
|
Mathematics 1 |
6 June 2020 |
29 August 2020 |
|
3 October 2020 |
|
7 November 2020 |
|
5 December 2020 |
|
8 May 2021 |
|
5 June 2021 |
|
Mathematics 2 |
6 June 2020 |
29 August 2020 |
|
3 October 2020 |
|
7 November 2020 |
|
5 December 2020 |
|
8 May 2021 |
|
5 June 2021 |
|
French |
6 June 2020 |
29 August 2020 |
|
3 October 2020 |
|
5 December 2020 |
|
5 June 2021 |
|
French (with listening) |
7 November 2020 |
Spanish |
6 June 2020 |
29 August 2020 |
|
3 October 2020 |
|
7 November 2020 |
|
5 December 2020 |
|
8 May 2021 |
|
5 June 2021 |
|
Spanish (with listening) |
7 November 2020 |
German |
6 June 2020 |
German (with listening) |
5 June 2021 |
Korean (with listening) |
6 June 2020 |
5 June 2021 |
|
Modern Hebrew |
6 June 2020 |
5 June 2021 |
|
Italian |
6 June 2020 |
5 June 2021 |
|
Latin |
6 June 2020 |
5 June 2021 |
|
Japanese (with listening) |
7 November 2020 |
8 May 2021 |
|
Chinese (with listening) |
7 November 2020 |
8 May 2021 |
Usually the registration for SAT Subject Tests tend to be a month prior to the test days, so be careful of this when deciding your test and registration dates.
SAT Subject Test vs SAT General Test
What is the difference between the SAT subject test and the SAT general test? Take a look at this outline of all the key differences to help you identify which test is for you:
Criteria | Subject SAT | SAT |
What is it for? | For college admissions and scholarships | For course placements |
How long is the test | 3 hours or 3 hours, 50 minutes with essay | 1 hour |
How often is it held in a year? | 7 times | 6 times |
Topics covered? | Reading, Writing, Math | 20 subjects to choose from |
Scored out of? | 1600 | 800 |
Penalty for wrong answer? | No penalty | Penalty is a fraction of a point |
Alternatives to SAT Subject Tests
Now that the SAT Subject Tests have been canceled, many students are left with questions like, “How do I show my subject skills without the SAT Subject Test?” “How can I improve my CV without the SAT Subject Test?” “What’s an alternative to the SAT Subject Test?” etc.
The College Board canceling the SAT Subject Tests is indicative of a larger shift in university applications. Colleges are prioritizing experience and real-world skills over report card grades and want to know that students can do more than memorize theories—they can apply those theories and have proof of concept.
The key to successful university applications without the SAT Subject Tests is improving your CV with work experience, internships, and entrepreneurship—like in Clever Harvey’s JuniorMBA.
With courses in Marketing, Strategy, and Technology, among others, you can test-drive a career in your dream field and prove to your university that you have what it takes to succeed on-site. A combined learning-working experience, you’ll learn degree-level theory at a high school level and work on projects for industry leaders like PUMA and Domino’s.
The exposure is great for your own growth and understanding as well as for your CV when applying for colleges! Check out Clever Harvey here.