About the SAT SUBJECT tests

Unlike the SAT I (which attempts to measure logical thinking, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and basic math), SAT Subject Tests measure knowledge of classroom subjects. Fewer test-taking strategies apply to the SAT Subject Tests. Aside from time management, the SAT subject tests do not require new skills, just thorough knowledge of what should have been presented in the classroom and the text. Our preferred way to study for the SAT Subject tests is to go over your materials the same way you would prepare for a year-end final. Then take a full-hour practice test. One of each test is available in the book Real SAT Subject Tests, published by the College Board. Analyze that test. Make sure you know the difference between a careless mistake and a topic you don't know. For all topics you don't know, make an appointment with a teacher at your school. Make sure s/he fills you in on how to solve that problem. Many courses do not cover the exact same material tested on the SAT Subject Test, so don't go with an attitude that "you failed to teach us this!" Instead, say "I've learned well what you presented to us, and in preparing for the Subject Test, I noticed five questions that are totally unsolvable. Allow me to give you these questions and next week please instruct me on how to attack them." Unless there is an absolute requirement by the college you are dying to get into, only take Subject Test tests in subjects in which you know you can do well. Our best definition for "well" is "get a better score than your best SAT I score." Another definition is "get a better score than the college's posted median SAT I score." If on a good day you don't think you can attain either of those thresholds, do not take the test in that subject. Doing so will hurt you, unless you replace that score with a better score on a later test.

ScoreRite SAT II Prep Objective

Literature

Questions ask you to demonstrate how well you understand the following literary concepts:

• meaning, including theme, argument and specific connotations of words
• form, including genre, structure and organization
• tone, including diction, syntax and emphasis
• figurative language, including imagery
• narrative voice
• characterization

• Familiarity with historical concepts, cause-and-effect relationships, geography, and other data necessary for understanding major historical developments
• A grasp of concepts essential to historical analysis
• An ability to use historical knowledge in interpreting data in maps, graphs, charts, or cartoons

• Number and Operations
• Algebra and Functions
• Geometry and Measurement (plane euclidean, coordinate, three dimensional, and trigonometry)
• Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability

• Number and Operations
• Algebra and Functions
• Geometry and Measurement (coordinate, three dimensional, and trigonometry)
• Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability

• Take Biology E if you feel more comfortable answering questions pertaining to biological communities, populations, and energy flow.
• Take Biology M if you feel more comfortable answering questions pertaining to biochemistry, cellular structure and processes, such as respiration and photosynthesis.
• Indicate choice of Biology E or Biology M on your answer sheet on test day.

• Ability to recall and understand the major concepts of biology and to apply the principles learned to solve specific problems in biology.
• Understanding of simple algebraic concepts, including ratios and direct and inverse proportions, and the ability to apply such concepts to solving word problems.
• Ability to organize and interpret results obtained by observation and experimentation and to draw conclusions or make inferences from experimental data, including data presented in graphic and/or tabular form.
• Familiarity with the metric system of units.

• Understanding of the major concepts of chemistry and the ability to apply principles to solve specific problems.
• Ability to organize and interpret results obtained by observation and experimentation and to draw conclusions or make inferences from experimental data, including data presented in graphic and/or tabular form.
• Laboratory experience and familiarity with the metric system of units.
• Ability to handle simple algebraic relationships and apply these to solving word problems.
• Familiarity with the concepts of ratio and direct and inverse proportions, exponents.

• An ability to recall and understand the major concepts of physics and to apply physical principles to solve specific problems.
• An understanding of simple algebraic, trigonometric, and graphical relationships, and the concepts of ratio and proportion, and how to apply these to physics problems.
• Familiarity with the metric system of units.