SAT Subject Tests: Which ones are needed?

SAT Subject Tests are one hour long tests, used for college admissions purposes. There are about 24 different subject specific tests that are offered by Collegeboard. So how you decide ‘which ones are needed?’

When it comes time to determine which SAT Subject Tests high school students should take, it’s always a good idea to confirm which tests are required or recommended by specific colleges.  In some cases, universities have strict requirements about the number of Subject SAT Tests that must be taken.  Other colleges require specific SAT Subject Tests that must be taken. Still other universities may require SAT Subject Tests, but don’t mandate the specific subjects.  Finally, there are also schools that will accept SAT Subject Tests, if they benefit an applicant, irrespective of the subject.

In cases where SAT Subject Tests are accepted or recommended, but students can choose which tests to take, the best course of action is to take the SAT Subject Tests in areas of study in which the student excels.  This is particularly helpful if a student is particularly strong in a subject, but no AP or equivalent course is available.

Except for the March SAT test date, SAT Subject Tests can be taken on any other SAT Test day.

UPDATE FOR CLASS OF 2021: Many Universities and Colleges have made significant changes in their SAT Subject Test requirements.

Below are some examples of the specific requirements or recommendations from various colleges and universities that we find our students interested in.

For a complete list of SAT Subject Test requirement you can visit the collegeboard site

COLLEGES WHICH DO NOT REQUIRE SUBJECT SAT EXAMS

University of Maryland:

SAT or ACT is required, though the writing portion is not required.  Subject SAT Tests are not required.

Penn State:

SAT or ACT is required, though the writing portion is not required. SAT Subject Tests are recommended.  Does not require any SAT Subject Tests

University of South Carolina:

SAT or ACT is required, but Subject SAT Tests are not required.

University of Pittsburgh:

SAT or ACT is required, but Subject SAT Tests are not required.

SCHOOLS WHICH REQUIRE SUBJECT SAT TESTS

 MIT:

In addition to the SAT or ACT, applicants to MIT must take one SAT Subject Test in math and one SAT Subject Test in science.

SCHOOLS WHICH RECOMMEND AND/OR CONSIDER SAT SUBJECT TESTS

American University:

American University requires the SAT or the ACT without writing, and recommends that homeschooled students submit 2 SAT Subject Tests.

Boston University: 

Requires the SAT or ACT and considers Subject Tests if submitted.  Students pursuing medical and dental programs are required to take the SAT Subject Tests in Chemistry and Math Level 2.

Carnegie Mellon University

Requires the SAT or ACT and 2 SAT Subject Tests are recommended, unless applying to the College of Fine Arts programs. CMU strongly favors Math and Science combination of Subject Tests for STEM related courses. Carnegie Mellon will only accept scores from tests taken during 11th or 12th grade

Case Western Reserve University:

CWRU requires the SAT or ACT and will consider Subject SAT Tests if submitted.

Dartmouth College: 

Requires the SAT or ACT and recommends 2 SAT Subject Tests.

Duke University: 

The SAT with essay, or the ACT with writing are required.  2 SAT Subject Tests are also recommended.  Students applying to the Pratt School of Engineering should specifically take Math Level 1 or 2 SAT Subject Tests.

Georgetown: 

Georgetown requires the SAT or the ACT, yet does not require, or even consider the essay from either Test.  Instead, Georgetown mandates that all applicants submit all College Board and ACT scores, and strongly recommends applicants take 3 SAT Subject Tests and will accept Advanced Placement (AP) scores in lieu of Subject Test scores. Students who are applying Early Action will still receive full consideration even if they have not yet taken all of their Subject Test exams. However, Georgetown recommends that such students still take Subject Tests in time for the Regular Decision deadline in the event that they are deferred to Regular Decision. Applicants are required to submit all College Board and ACT scores

George Washington University:

George Washington is test optional. SAT or ACT scores and two SAT Subject Tests are required in science and mathematics for the Seven Year BA/MD program

Harvard:

In addition to the SAT or ACT, Harvard recommends 2 SAT Subject Tests.

Johns Hopkins University:

Requires the SAT or the ACT. Students can submit the SAT Subject Test Scores as a way to demonstrate academic strength. Engineering students are recommended to submit Math Level 2 and one Science.

Northwestern University:

In addition to the ACT or SAT requirement, Northwestern considers 2 SAT Subject Tests. The Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME) requires the Chemistry and Math Level 2 Subject Tests and the Integrated Science Program (ISP) requires the Chemistry, Physics and Math Level 2 Subject Tests.

Stanford:

The SAT with essay, or the ACT with writing are required.  In fact, all test scores from all dates need to be submitted for the SAT and ACT.  SAT Subject Tests are recommended, but Stanford allows applicants to decide which SAT Subject Test scores (if any) they choose to submit.

University of Michigan:

Requires the SAT or the ACT.  SAT Subject Tests are considered “only in light of how they might benefit your review”

University of North Carolina:

Requires the SAT or the ACT, and will consider the SAT Subject Test scores, AP Scores, IB only “if they are good reflection on the mastery of the underlying subject”.

Wakeforest:

Test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.