SAT II Subject Tests

The SAT II subject tests are content-based exams taken to improve a student's credentials for college admissions. There are currently 20 different subjects offered:

  • Literature
  • Biology E/M
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • U.S. History
  • World History
  • Mathematics Level 1
  • Mathematics Level 2
  • French
  • German
  • Spanish
  • Modern Hebrew
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • French with Listening
  • German with Listening
  • Spanish with Listening
  • Chinese with Listening
  • Japanese with Listening
  • Korean with Listening

SAT II Format

Every subject test is one-hour timed test with multiple choice questions. Students may take up to three SAT Subject Tests on any given date but cannot take a SAT II and SAT test on the same day. SAT II test are generally offered a six times per year (October, November, December, January, May and June) with the exception of the language tests with Listening, which are only offered once per in November. The registration fee for all tests is $24.50 then an additional $13 per test for Non-listening subjects. It is an additional $24 per tests for the Listening subjects.

SAT II Scoring

Each SAT II test is scored on a scale of 200 to 800. Here’s how the raw score is determined:

  • One point is added for each correct answer.
  • A fraction of a point is subtracted for wrong answers:
  • 1/4 point is subtracted for five-choice questions; 1/3 point is subtracted for four-choice questions; 1/2 point is subtracted for three-choice questions.
  • No points are deducted for unanswered questions.
  • The total points from questions answered incorrectly are subtracted from the number answered correctly.
  • If the resulting score is a fraction, it is rounded to the nearest whole number—1/2 or more is rounded up; less than 1/2 is rounded down.

Once the raw score is determined a scaled score from 200-800 is then computed – the scaled score is what is reported to colleges. Note that some subject tests are graded on a curve - some more curved than others.

2013 SAT II National Averages

  • Literature 613
  • Biology E/M

    • Ecological 626
    • Molecular 655

  • Chemistry 666
  • Physics 667
  • U.S. History 651
  • World History 624
  • Mathematics Level 1 621
  • Mathematics Level 2 686
  • French 635
  • German 622
  • Spanish 656
  • Modern Hebrew 620
  • Italian 684
  • Latin 615
  • French with Listening 654
  • German with Listening 624
  • Spanish with Listening 668
  • Chinese with Listening 759
  • Japanese with Listening 688
  • Korean with Listening 767