The college admissions landscape is always evolving, and the SAT Subject Tests are a vital component of this process for many students. For the academic year 2023-24, students planning to sit for these exams should be well-aware of the scores required, the syllabus, the fee structure, and, most importantly, the test dates and registration deadlines.
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 19 Janurary 2021, the CollegeBoard confirmed that the SAT Subject Tests are cancelled. This means there will be no more sitting for the Subject SAT exams going forward.
Be sure to check with your prospective university about their policy regarding the SAT subject test going forward- this information will be available on individual college websites for the most up to date information. As per latest updates they have been discontinued worldwide June 2021 onwards.
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
- Math
- 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, this price will compound 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 is increased 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 wherein you can get upto 6 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 cancelled 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 CollegeBoard cancelling the SAT Subject test is indicative of a larger shift in university applications. Colleges are prioritising experience and real world skill over report card grades and want to know that students can do more than memorise theories- they can apply those theories and have proof of concept.
The key to successful university applications without the Subject SAT is improving your CV with work experience, internships and entrepreneurship- like in Clever Harvey’s JuniorMBA.
With courses in Marketing, Strategy and Technology amongst others, you can test drive a career in your dream field and prove to your university that you have what it takes to make it on site. A combined learning-working experience, you’ll learn degree level theory at a high school level understanding 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.