If you’re applying to colleges that require SAT Subject Tests, you’ll obviously need to take the required exams. But here are five other scenarios where I would recommend you take the relevant subject test.
1. Have you excelled in a course, particuarly an honors or AP class, that has an associated subject test?
Subject tests are a good opportunity to show off an academic strength. In fact, the AP tests are significantly more challenging than the subject tests are. If you’re acing AP US History, get in there and take the associated subject test, too.
2. Is your class or teacher particularly difficult, so much so that your grade in the class is lower than the other grades on your transcript?
You might consider taking a subject test to help show how well you know the material. For example, if you regularly get A’s, but are getting a B in a biology course with a reputation on campus as being particularly challenging, a good score on the biology subject test could demonstrate just how well you really do know biology.
3. Are you home-schooled?
Subject test scores help home-schooled students better demonstrate their mastery of the material.
4. Are you fluent in a foreign language?
The “Language with Listening” subject tests are given the first Saturday in November in French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean and Chinese. You’ll need to be fluent to score well (completing three years of foreign language in high school won’t be enough).
5. Are you planning to major in engineering?
Students planning on majoring in engineering should take the Math Level II exam. Many engineering programs require it from applicants, and for those that don’t, many of them will look favorably on an applicant who scores well. You’ll need to have completed pre-calculus, trigonometry or both. And you’ll need a relationship with mathematics that borders on the romantic. But you’ll need that anyway if you plan on majoring in engineering.