By Claire Newfeld
If you ask a typical high school student if he or she has taken an SAT Subject Test, chances are you’ll get a blank face and a “What’s that?” At Tempe Prep, students are fortunate to learn what the SAT Subject Tests are, how to prepare for them, and why it is so important for us to take them. With the help of Mrs. Moffitt, all students can excel on these tests and stand out to the admissions committee when applying to college.
Students are encouraged to begin taking the subject tests in ninth grade. Why should people start so early? It is a “head start on the road to college,” Mrs. Moffitt said. “The SAT Subject Test encourages students to start thinking about college and introduces them to testing conditions and the types of skills they’ll need to succeed in high school and be a competitive candidate for college admissions and scholarships.”
Many colleges require two or three subject tests in multiple areas, so it is best to start early so the material is fresh and there is plenty of time for improvement. Even if a freshman does not earn a high score on the Biology test, he is now familiar with the format of the SAT Subject Tests and can improve on his next test. Plus, by starting early, it reduces the number of tests he must take in his junior year and allows him to devote more study time to each test.
The best time to take the test is in June after finishing the class at TPA. The Subject Tests are also offered in October, November, December, January and May. Freshmen should consider the SAT Biology test; sophomores, the US History and Latin tests; and juniors, the Physics test. Of course, Tempe Prep students are not bound to this schedule; there are also other subject tests one can take based on his or her strengths, such as Math Levels 1 and 2, Literature, and foreign languages. They should consider which subjects they are truly interested in, and choose tests that reflect those interests.
The SAT Subject Tests are the only national exams that allow each student to decide which test to take, so he can choose subjects that demonstrate his achievements and interests. It is also a good idea to base the tests you take off of what you think you might want to study in college. For example, if you want to be an astronomer, take the Physics and Math tests. Perhaps a student has taken summer courses or classes outside of high school. This is his chance to show colleges what he knows. SAT Subject Tests can also help with admissions to competitive internships, summer programs, and other opportunities.
The best way to prepare for the SAT Subject Tests is to take practice tests! There are several test-prep books on the market from highly acclaimed publishers such as the Princeton Review, College Board, and Barron’s. Also, numerous courses are being offered at Tempe Prep for specific subjects, such as Physics and Biology. Last year, a Biology SAT/AP Prep Course was offered, and students who took the class scored significantly higher than those who did not. For more information, see Mrs. Moffitt.
Simply go to sat.collegeboard.org to sign up for the tests. There is a registration fee of $50. However, if you qualify for a fee waiver (see criteria at sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-fee-waivers), Mrs. Moffitt can give you a voucher to take the test for free. A good performance on these tests can make you stand out to colleges, and open up many doors for you in the future.