By Lindsay Newfeld

Getting into college is possibly the hardest task a high school student will have to face. It’s a road filled with standardized tests, community service hours, and participation in as many extracurricular activities as possible. One of the most important factors in any student’s acceptance to college is their standardized test scores. At Tempe Prep, we take the PSAT starting in ninth grade and Mrs. Moffitt is a constant reminder about which tests to take, where to take them, and when to take them.

However, some of the more overlooked tests are the SAT Subject Tests. These are hour-long, content-based tests that allow a student to showcase achievement in specific subject areas where they excel. These are the only national admission tests where the student chooses the test that best showcases their achievements and interests.

Many students are focused on the big name tests, such as the SAT and the ACT, and thus don’t pay much attention to the subject tests. However, as Mrs. Moffitt says, “Many colleges require or highly recommend that students submit two or three one-hour SAT Subject Test scores as part of their application (in addition to the regular four-hour SAT or ACT tests). For example. Harvard and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) require that students submit three SAT Subject Test Scores on their applications.”

Because so many colleges actually require the submission of these scores it is extremely crucial to take them. Mrs. Moffitt also provides a very detailed outline of which subject tests are appropriate to be taken after the completion of each grade level. As she says, “It is important to take a particular subject test when the subject is fresh in your mind.”

Freshmen should sign up to take the SAT Subject Test in Biology (E) in May and/or June. Sophomores should sign up to take the SAT Subject Test in Literature, Physics, and/or Latin in May and/or June. Juniors should take the SAT Subject Tests in Literature, Advanced Math (Math Level 2), US History, and/or Chemistry. Seniors should take the SAT Subject Test in their foreign language in October for college admission purposes or in March or May for college placement and/or credit purposes.

Mrs. Moffitt also advises, “Students should only take a maximum of two SAT Subject Tests on a particular test date. The SAT Subject Tests are not taken at TPA. TPA students sign up and pay online to take the tests at one of a few local large schools/testing centers. Simply register and pay online for the SAT tests at www.sat.collegeboard.org.

“Studying for these tests is also critical in achieving the highest score possible. Many companies such as Kaplan, The College Board, and Barron’s Test Prep offer entire books on each subject test, complete with full-length practice tests.

“Studying for and taking standardized tests are definitely low on the list of everyone’s favorite things to do but they are crucial to college admissions and should be taken very seriously. As long as you start studying early and do your best on each and every test you take, your scores are bound to reflect that and colleges will recognize and appreciate it!”