subject tests

According to the College Board, “the Literature Subject Test measures how well you have learned to read and interpret literature.” The test itself consists of between six and eight literary passages, from stories to speeches to poems and anything in between. Each passage is followed by a set of multiple-choice questions that test for your understanding of concepts such as narrative voice, characterization, figurative language, imagery, tone, diction, syntax and emphasis, structure and organization, genre, theme, etc.

 

You will not be tested on any specific works.

 

According to the College Board, the United States History Subject Test “assesses your knowledge of and ability to use material commonly taught in U.S. History and social studies courses in high school.” The test itself contains up to 100 multiple-choice questions (with only 60 minutes to answer them) that test how familiar you are with various historical concepts. It’s less about name and date memorization than it is cause-and-effect relationships, geography, and a grasp of major developments throughout American history. You will be expected to read and interpret graphs, political cartoons, and short texts that characterize a particular American era.

 

A full year of U.S. History at the college prep level is the minimum requirement for success on this test. However, outside reading and a passion for history can be very helpful. Again, there is no magic textbook that contains all the answers. The College Board surveys U.S. History teachers throughout the country to help compile their list of questions and determine in which areas their focus should lie. The test covers pre-Columbus times through the present, so making timelines can be a very helpful way to prepare.

 

According to the College Board, the World History Subject Test “measures your understanding of key developments in global history and your use of basic historical techniques.” Like the U.S. History test, these techniques require you to analyze and generalize concepts rather than recall specific names and dates. The test is very similar in nature to the U.S. History Subject Test (except for the fact that it focuses on World History, but that’s probably fairly obvious). It uses similar charts, graphs, political cartoons, and maps, and asks similar questions focused on cause-and-effect relationships and analytical data.

 

Formerly known as the Math IC, the Mathematics Level 1 subject test is “a broad survey test intended for students who have taken three years of college-prep math: two years of algebra and one year of geometry.” Many schools that require Subject Tests once offered a choice between the Level I and Level II. However, some of the material on the Level I test has now been added to the SAT, so some schools now require that you take the Level II test instead. However, for those of you who do take the Level I, the material covered includes geometry (plane Euclidean, three-dimensional, and coordinate), basic trig, algebra and algebraic functions, probability, data interpretation, mean, median, and mode, counting, logic, and basic arithmetic.

 

According to the College Board, the Mathematics Level 2 is “a broad survey test intended for students who have taken college-prep math for more than three years: two years of algebra, one year of geometry, and elementary functions (pre-calc) and/or trigonometry.” Some of the material covered on this test includes geometry (both three-dimensional and coordinate), algebra, trigonometry, functions, probability, permutations and combinations, logic and proofs, number theory, sequences, limits, etc.

 

According to the College Board, the Biology E (ecology) and the Biology M (molecular) tests “assess your understanding of general biology at the college preparatory level”. They suggest that evolution is inherent in both tests, and that you should (obviously) choose the area in biology for which you feel that you are best prepared. You will be given the same test, whichever one you choose to take, and on test day, you will be asked to indicate which test you’re taking by gridding the code for the particular test on your answer sheet. From there, only questions pertaining to your chosen test code will be scored. Keep in mind, you are not allowed to take both Biology tests on the same test day.

 

Both tests require that you understand the basic concepts of biology and use the governing principles to solve specific problems. You will be asked to use basic algebraic concepts such as inverse and direct proportions, solve word problems, organize and interpret experiments and observations and draw conclusions from them, make inferences from specific graphic data, and utilize the metric system of units.

 

According to the College Board, “the Chemistry Subject Test assesses your understanding of general chemistry at the college preparatory level.” Aside from the fact that it tests chemistry, this exam tests almost the exact same concepts as the Biology Subject tests, utilizing a nearly identical format. (See the above description of the biology test to get an idea of what the exam will look like). Again, one year of college prep chemistry is suggested, lab experience is recommended, and algebra is useful.

 

According to the College Board, the Physics Subject Test is “intended to assess your understanding of physics at the college preparatory level.” You will be expected to recall and understand the basic concepts of physics, and apply these principles to solve problems using algebra, trig, graphical relationships, ratio and proportion, the metric system of units. At least one year of college prep physics is suggested, lab experience is recommended, and both algebra and trigonometry are useful if not necessary.