
In this case, you would need to take more than three tests in order to meet the requirements of both your schools and programs of interest. Because some colleges and specialized programs require specific Subject Tests, you may find that the requirements for the colleges and the specialized programs on your list don’t always overlap. There’s one more reason that you might need to take more than three subject tests. A score over 770 demonstrates a high command of the subject matter, and the 30 points you’ve left on the table will not substantially change how your application is viewed - even if you’re applying to highly selective institutions. However, if you’ve achieved at least a 770 on three Subject Tests, you probably don’t need to take any more. So what’s a satisfactory score? Your target Subject Test scores will depend on the schools you’re applying to and your academic profile. (Check out this calendar for information on test dates.) We advise taking as many exams as you need to achieve satisfactory scores on three tests. However, note that the College Board offers Subject Tests less frequently than the SAT, you may face scheduling challenges if you try to take a given test more than once. If you don’t perform as well as you would have liked on certain tests, you can take a different exam and report that score instead. The College Board offers score choice for Subject Tests, which means that you can choose which scores to send to colleges. However, that doesn’t mean you should only take three exams. How many SAT Subject Tests should you take?Īccording to CollegeVine’s data, the vast majority of colleges and universities will consider a maximum of three SAT Subject Tests per student in the admissions process. The College Board offers 20 SAT Subject Tests across five subject areas: Mathematics, Science, English, History, and Languages. A future history major, for instance, could submit scores from U.S. While colleges and programs may have certain requirements, students usually are able to submit scores from tests in their strongest subjects, which often correlate to their anticipated major. U nlike the SAT, which is usually required for all applicants, the Subject Tests you take are generally up to you.

For example, the Chemistry test will assess your understanding of key scientific principles and concepts, likely including material you’ve studied in your chemistry courses. Unlike the SAT, which assesses your general academic skills and college readiness, Subject Tests allow you to demonstrate your mastery of a particular topic and show the depth of the knowledge you’ve gained in high school. The SAT Subject Test, formerly and colloquially called the SAT II, evaluates your knowledge of a specific subject.

How many SAT Subject Tests should you take and which ones should you choose? Read on to find out. It offers the most flexibility of all standardized college admissions exams, since you can choose Subject Tests that showcase your strengths. Though it’s one of the least-understood standardized tests in the college admissions process, the SAT Subject Test is an important part of your application.
