Navigating the SAT Subject Tests
SAT Subject
Tests (which used to be called SAT IIs and, before that, Achievement Tests) are
designed to measure content knowledge in various subjects. They are all one
hour-long multiple-choice tests; there are no essays. A student can take up to
three tests on any given test date.
WHEN:
Plan ahead when you are going to take the tests. It makes
most sense to take Subject Tests at the end of the school year, when the
material is freshest in your mind. We recommend that juniors take the SAT Reasoning Test in March to leave the
May and June test dates available for Subject Tests.
Most
students complete these tests in the spring of their junior year. However, some
sophomores are ready for Subject
Tests, too. Sophomores in AP Physics B and/or AP Foreign Languages should take the
subject tests in those areas. Sophomores in level 3(H) or 4 of a Foreign
Language who plan to discontinue their study of that language should consider
taking the corresponding Subject Test. Students should talk with their teachers
about their testing options.
We
recommend registering two months in advance of the registration deadline to maximize your chances of getting your first
choice testing location.
WHICH ONES:
We recommend that you take as many tests as you feel
qualified for, and all students should plan on taking at least two. Students
should consult their teachers and college counselors if they are unclear as to
which tests would be best for them to take.
Please note
that the UC system no longer requires these tests for admission, but they will
continue to use the scores when students send them.
Subject
Tests
English Literature: This is a skills-driven test, and students can draw on their
knowledge of specific novels, poems, or plays studied in their Menlo junior
English classes. All Menlo juniors should be well prepared for this test, but
they should familiarize themselves with the format of the test in advance. Menlo
offers free on-campus prep classes to help prepare for this test.
American History: This 90-question exam tests specific content knowledge from Colonial
America to the 1990s. Students in AP U.S. History should be well prepared for
both the breadth and factual nature of the test. Our regular U.S. History
courses, however, tend to go into more depth on certain topics and thus skim
over some others. As a result these students will not have covered all of the
material on this test.
Math IC:
This test is mostly algebra and geometry. Since the SAT Reasoning now
incorporates more advanced math concepts, the University of California no
longer accepts the Math 1C test. Some private colleges will continue to accept
it. Students who have completed Algebra 2 are ready for this test.
Math IIC:
In addition to algebra and geometry, this test includes content studied in
Menlo’s pre-calculus classes. Students finishing analytic pre-calculus or
beyond are ready to sit for this exam. Because our course continues to cover relevant
material until the very end of school, we recommend students take it June, not
May. Menlo offers free on-campus prep classes to help prepare for this test.
Biology:
There are two different SAT Subject Tests in Biology–ecological and molecular.
Our Biology course covers about 70% of the curriculum for the ecological test
and slightly less for the molecular. Students who have done well in Biology and
are willing to do some extra work to cover the additional topics can do well on
this test. Menlo offers free on-campus prep classes to help prepare for this
test.
Chemistry:
Students in AP Chemistry are very well prepared for this test. Menlo’s Accelerated
Chemistry class covers about 90% of the material needed for the Chemistry
SAT Subject Test. Students who have done well in this class should attend our
review and study sessions in the spring if they want to take this test. Conceptual
Chemistry students have studied about 70% of the material on the Chemistry
SAT Subject Test, but are likely to find this test very difficult because of
the level of problem solving abilities required. Menlo offers free on-campus
prep classes to help prepare for this test.
Physics: AP
Physics students are very well prepared for this exam. As Menlo’s 9th
grade course is in conceptual physics, our students are not prepared for this
test.
Latin:
Students who have completed Latin 4 and AP Latin can be confident that they
have practiced the grammar, vocabulary and reading skills necessary to
successfully sit for this test.
French:
Students who have completed 3 Honors, 4 or AP Language can be confident that
they have practiced the grammar, vocabulary, and reading skills necessary to
successfully sit for this test. Students who are confident with their listening
skills should take the French with Listening test.
Spanish:
Students who have completed 3 Honors, 4 or AP Language can be confident that
they have practiced the grammar, vocabulary and reading skills necessary to
successfully sit for this test. Students who are confident with their listening
skills should take the Spanish with Listening test.
Japanese:
Advanced Japanese students who are motivated to prepare themselves for this
test and get extra help from Ms. Sakamoto can do well on this listening, usage
and reading comprehension test.
Mandarin: Students
who have completed AP Language can be confident that they have practiced the
grammar, vocabulary and reading skills necessary to successfully sit for this
test.
There are
also tests in Italian,
Modern Hebrew, German, and Korean. While we do not teach these subjects, students who have advanced
proficiency can take these tests.