Sat Subject Tests (Page 4 of 4) in pdf

Literature

Who & When? Students who are well versed in American and English literature, usually after 11

grade

This test is similar to the critical reading portion of the regular SAT but also includes poetry and literary

terms. The test contains mostly English and American literature and is evenly split between poetry and

prose, with a small amount of drama.

History

United States History

Who & When? Students who have taken AP US History, at the end of 11

grade

World History

Who & When? Students who have taken AP World History, usually at the end of 10

grade

There are two different History subject tests available: United States History and World History. The AP

courses that students take in ninth, tenth or eleventh grade are great preparation for these tests. The

AP tests are given in early May, so it makes sense to take the SAT subject tests in May as well. Students

in AP courses usually do well on these tests.

Languages

French and Spanish

Who & When? Students who excel at language and have studied at least three or four years at the

high school level, at the end of 11

grade or beginning of 12

grade

The language tests are best taken after a student has studied the equivalent of three or four years of

high school language. There are two subject tests in both French and Spanish: a fully written test and

one with listening. Both tests assess reading skills with questions that address vocabulary, structure

and comprehension of passages. The listening tests also assess the student’s ability to understand the

spoken language. This test is offered only in November and requires the student to bring a portable CD

player.

Latin

Who & When? Students who excel at Latin and have studied two to four years at the high school level,

at the end of 11

grade or beginning of 12

grade

This test is intended for students who have completed two to four years of high school Latin. It

measures a wide range of Latin knowledge with questions covering reading comprehension,

translation, grammatical forms and vocabulary.

Other Tests: Modern Hebrew, Italian, Chinese with Listening, Japanese with Listening, Korean with

Listening, German, German with Listening

Sat Subject Tests Page 4