Schools That Require Subject Tests: A Comprehensive Guide
Even before you started applying to college, you were probably aware that standardized testing is an important part of the application process. You’ve at least heard of the SAT. As your turn to apply to college approaches and you’re looking through requirements at different schools, you’ll come across something called SAT IIs or SAT subject tests. SAT subject tests are multiple-choice standardized tests on a specific academic discipline. The tests, organized by College Board, are often a required part of college applications. On top of learning hundreds of vocabulary words, going over many math problems, and writing your hundredth five-paragraph-essay, taking separate subject tests can seem like a lot. However, not all schools require them. So you may be wondering exactly which colleges fall on the list of schools that require subject tests.
To help you understand subject tests better and figure out whether or not a school you’re applying to requires subject tests, I’ve covered which subject tests are offered, what the subject test policies for top schools are, the mean scores for schools that require subject tests, and finally, the upcoming test dates.
Schools That Require Subject Tests: The Basics
Similar to the SAT reasoning test, you have to register for the SAT subject tests on the specific dates that they are offered (which are not always the same as SAT test dates). You can take up to three subject tests in one sitting. On test day, you are allowed to change your mind and take a different subject test than the one that you are registered for with no penalty – with the exception of Language and Listening tests. You can only take one Biology test (between Ecological and Molecular) per test date.
SAT subject tests are scored on a 200-800 scale. There is a wide range of subjects offered between the arts, sciences, and the humanities. If you speak a language besides English, you can take the language tests, with the option to choose from Chinese, French, German, Modern Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Latin, and Spanish. Of these, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish include listening components. Below is the full list of the 20 subject tests you can choose from. The SAT subject tests that are offered by College Board are:
- Biology (Ecological)
- Biology Molecular
- Chemistry
- Chinese with Listening
- French
- French with Listening
- German
- German with Listening
- Italian
- Latin
- Literature
- Japanese with Listening
- Korean with Listening
- Math I
- Math II
- Modern Hebrew
- Physics
- Spanish
- Spanish with Listening
- US History
Different schools also have varying policies on the extent to which they require subject tests. The majority of colleges in the United States requires some form of standardized testing, specifically the SAT or the ACT, but the SAT subject tests are a bit more variable. Play to your strengths when choosing which subject tests to take in addition to the classic SAT/ACT. For example, even if the schools you’re applying to are not on the list of schools that require subject tests, you can use your World History subject test score to showcase why you’d be a strong history major for college. There are also a few test-alternative colleges when it comes to schools that require subject tests. Depending on the school, applicants may be able to choose to submit one score and can pick from the SAT, ACT, subject tests, AP or IB exams.
Specialized institutions such as Caltech or MIT require subject tests in math and science for all applicants. Specialized programs within universities may require specific subject tests even if its other programs don’t. For example, while the rest of Boston University considers any subject tests a student chooses, prospective medical students are required to take the Chemistry and Math II Tests.
Before we look at the list of US schools that require subject tests, let’s talk about what each term under the “Subject Test Requirement” column means in terms of the extent to which you must submit your scores to the college.
TABLE KEY
- Required – It speaks for itself. You must submit your SAT subject test scores and follow the school’s guidelines if there are any requirements on which scores and subjects to submit.
- Recommended strongly – Georgetown and Duke, for example, “strongly” recommend that you submit your SAT subject test scores. It’s similar to required, which means that you would probably have a hard time getting in without submitting your subject test scores. Definitely do so.
- Recommended – In this case, schools want to see subject tests. Unless you absolutely cannot due to financial constraints or other unavoidable circumstances, it’s best to do so.
- Considered – At schools which consider SAT subject tests, not submitting the scores won’t make or break an application. If you choose to submit, they are simply looked at as another component of your application.
- Alternative – The subject test requirement can be satisfied by other tests such as the AP, IB etc. depending on the school’s policy.
- Test blind – Don’t send your subject test scores to test blind colleges. They won’t be looked at or considered at all.
Now that you understand the terms, let’s look at the list of schools that require SAT subject tests.
| School Name | Subject Test Requirement | Notes on Testing Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst College | Considered | |
| Babson College | Considered | |
| Bates College | Considered | |
| Boston College | Considered | Subject tests may “highlight a talent in a specific area.” |
| Boston University | Considered | Accelerated medical and dental programs at BU require Chemistry and Math II SAT subject tests. A foreign language subject test is recommended for these programs. |
| Bowdoin College | Considered | |
| Bucknell University | Considered | |
| California Institute of Technology | Required | Requires Math II, and one subject test in Biology (E/M), Chemistry, or Physics. |
| Carleton College | Considered | |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Recommended |
Subject recommendations depend on the program, but include Math I or II.
College of Fine Arts programs do not require subject tests. Only accepts scores from tests taken during 11th or 12th grade. |
| Case Western Reserve University | Considered | |
| Claremont McKenna College | Considered | |
| Colby College | Considered | |
| College of William and Mary | Considered | |
| Colorado College | Alternative |
The testing requirement (https://www.coloradocollege.edu/flexibletesting/) can be fulfilled by SAT, ACT, or three exams from the ACT, SAT, AP, IB, TOEFL as chosen by the student.
The exams chosen must have one quantitative test, one verbal/writing test, and a third test of the student’s choice. |
| Columbia University | Considered | |
| Connecticut College | Considered | If students submit multiple subject tests, the school will consider the two highest scores from two different tests. |
| Dartmouth College | Recommended | |
| Davidson College | Considered | |
| Duke University | Recommended Strongly |
Students are strongly recommended to submit two subject tests.
Students applying to the Pratt School of Engineering are required to submit Math I or II subject tests. |
| Emory University | Recommended | SAT subject tests are encouraged for areas of strength and/or interest. |
| Franklin Olin College of Engineering | Considered | |
| George Washington University | Considered |
Two SAT subject tests are required in science subjects.
Math I or II is required for the Seven Year BA/MD program. |
| Georgetown University | Recommended Strongly | Strongly recommends three subject tests. |
| Hamilton College | Alternative | Requirements are satisfied with either SAT (essay optional), ACT, or three exams – one verbal or writing, one quantitative, and one of the student’s choice between SAT sections, ACT Writing, SAT subject tests, AP, or IB. |
| Hampshire College | Test blind | |
| Harvard University | Recommended | |
| Harvey Mudd College | Required | Requires two SAT subject tests (requires Math II). |
| Johns Hopkins University | Considered |
SAT subject tests are considered as a demonstration of student’s strength area.
Engineering students are encouraged to submit Math II and one science. |
| Kenyon College | Considered | |
| Lafayette College | Considered | |
| Macalester College | Considered | |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Required | Requires one subject test in math and one in science. |
| Middlebury College | Alternative | Testing requirements can be satisfied with any one test from SAT, ACT, or three subject tests. |
| New York University | Alternative |
Testing requirements can be satisfied by any from SAT, ACT, three subject tests, AP, or IB. If students wish to submit SAT subject tests, AP, or IB scores, they must submit one in humanities, one in math or science and one of the student’s choice. |
| Northwestern University | Considered |
Honors Program in Medical Education requires Chemistry and Math II subject tests.
The Integrated Science Program requires Chemistry, Physics, and Math II subject tests. |
| Oberlin College | Considered | |
| Occidental College | Considered | |
| Pomona College | Consdiered | |
| Princeton University | Recommended |
Recommends applicants submit 2 subject tests.
Engineering students are encouraged to submit one math subject test, and either Chemistry or Physics. |
| Reed College | Considered | |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Considered | Applicants to the accelerated program must take the ACT with Writing or SAT with Essay and 2 subject tests (one math and one science). |
| Rice University | Recommended | |
| Smith College | Considered | |
| Stanford University | Considered | SAT subject tests are used to consider areas of strength. |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Considered | Accelerated Medical Program requires Math I or II and either Chemistry or Biology. |
| Swarthmore College | Considered | Engineering students are encouraged to submit Math II scores. |
| The Cooper Union | Considered |
School of Engineering requires subject tests in math and either Physics or Chemistry. |
| Tulane University | Considered | |
| Union College | Considered |
The 8-year medical program requires 2 subject tests, one in science and one in math. |
| UC Berkeley | Considered |
College of Chemistry and College of Engineering recommend Math II and a science subject test related to the student’s prospective major. |
| UC Davis | Considered | |
| UC Irvine | Considered |
The School of Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Physical Sciences, and Program in Public Health all require specific science subject tests. |
| UCLA | Considered |
The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences recommends Math II and a science subject test related to the student’s prospective major. |
| UC Merced | Considered | |
| UC Riverside | Considered |
The College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and the College of Engineering recommend Math II and either Chemistry or Physics. |
| UC San Diego | Considered |
Students interested in studying Biology or Physical Sciences and School of Engineering applicants are encouraged to take Math II and a science subject test of the student’s choice. |
| UC Santa Barbara | Considered |
The College of Engineering applicants and the College of Creative Studies applicants are recommended to take subject tests in math.
Physics, Computer Science Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Biochemistry majors are encouraged to take the relevant science subject test. |
| UC Santa Cruz | Considered | |
| University of Chicago | Considered | |
| University of Delaware | Considered | |
| University of Michigan | Considered |
Considers SAT subject tests “only in light of how they might benefit your review.” |
| University of North Carolina Chapel Hill | Considered |
Students are encouraged to submit AP, IB, or SAT subject test scores if they reflect the students’ prowess in a particular area. |
| University of Notre Dame | Considered |
AP, IB, or SAT subject test scores only considered if they “enhance an application.” |
| University of Pennsylvania | Recommended |
Any two subject tests are recommended for prospective arts, humanities, and social science majors.
For STEM applicants, UPenn strongly recommends Math II and a science subject test (Physics recommended for Engineering students). Math II is also recommended for Business applicants. Nursing students are encouraged to submit a subject test, preferably Chemistry. |
| University of Rochester | Alternative |
Testing requirements can be satisfied by one of the following tests: SAT, ACT, or 2 or more results from SAT subject tests, AP, or IB. |
| Vanderbilt University | Considered | |
| Vassar College | Considered | |
| Wake Forest University | Considered | |
| Washington and Lee University | Considered |
Subject tests are recommended for homeschooled applicants. |
| Washington University in St. Louis | Considered | |
| Webb Institute | Recommended |
If applicable, recommends subject tests in math and science areas if students want to demonstrate strength. |
| Wellesley College | Considered | |
| Wesleyan University | Considered |
ACT, SAT, and subject test scores are used for placement once a student has enrolled, but if an accepted student has not taken standardized tests, they do not have to take them before enrolling. |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Considered | |
| Yale University | Recommended |
As you can tell, a lot of schools do not require subject tests. However, many do recommend that you submit subject test scores. Taking subject tests might seem like another major thing to check off an already long list of college application to-dos, but they could help you gain admission into a top school of your choice. If you want to study biology in college for example, a high score on the Biology subject test can show admissions officers that you’ve taken the time to study a subject at a higher level and show your strength in a potential area of interest. Besides, a lot of the material covered in school overlaps with the topics for the subject tests, so you might as well take the test if you’re studying for school exams.
What Is A Good SAT Subject Test Score?
Below are the mean SAT subject test scores at the three schools that require SAT subject tests for all applicants:
| School Name | Avg. SAT Subject Test Score |
|---|---|
| Caltech | 780 |
| Harvey Mudd | 780 |
| MIT | 780 |
As you can tell, selective schools usually look toward the higher 700s to 800 for their subject test scores, especially if you are applying for a specialized school. For example, the Math II score range for Caltech is literally 800-800. While standardized tests aren’t everything, subject tests are used as an indicator of your breadth and depth of knowledge.
If you don’t get the score you hoped for the first time around, don’t worry. Just like the SAT, the subject tests can be taken multiple times a year. Not all subjects are offered during all test sessions, however. There is a registration fee of $26 plus a fee of $22 per subject test ($26 if the test of your choice is a language test with listening). Additional fees are charged if you register late, change your testing center, or switch from taking the standard SAT to the subject tests. If you miss the late registration deadline, you can join the waitlist. Students can register for the waitlist online, and have to show up on the test date. They are then admitted into the test center on a first come first serve basis, seated after all regularly registered test takers have been seated. Getting on the waitlist doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be able to take the test, so try and avoid missing the registration deadline in the first place!
SAT Subject Test Dates
As I mentioned before, the subject tests are not offered during every SAT session. You have to make sure the test date convenient for you not only has the subject tests in general, but also the specific subject test of your choice. Below is a list of the SAT subject test dates for 2019-2020, the subjects which are available, along with the last and late registration deadlines, and when the scores for those particular sessions are released.
| Test Date | Subjects Available | Last Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline | Scores Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 4, 2019 | Literature, US History, Math I, Math II, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish | April 5, 2019 | April 24, 2019 | May 17, 2019 |
| June 1, 2019 | Literature, US History, World History, Math I, Math II, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, French, German, Spanish, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin | May 3, 2019 | May 22, 2019 | July 10, 2019 |
| August 24, 2019 | Literature, US History, World History, Math I, Math II, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish | July 26, 2019 | August 14, 2019 | September 6, 2019 |
| October 5, 2019 | Literature, US History, Math I, Math II, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish | September 6, 2019 | September 25, 2019 | October 18, 2019 |
| November 2, 2019 | Literature, US History, Math I, Math II, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish, French with Listening, German with Listening, Spanish with Listening, Chinese with Listening, Japanese with Listening, Korean with Listening | October 4, 2019 | October 23, 2019 | November 15, 2019 |
| December 7, 2019 | Literature, US History, World History, Math I, Math II, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish, Latin | November 8, 2019 | November 27, 2019 | December 20, 2019 |
| May 2, 2020 | Literature, US History, Math I, Math II, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish | April 3, 2020 | April 22, 2020 | May 15, 2020 |
| June 6, 2020 | Literature, US History, World History, Math I, Math II, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, French, German, Spanish, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin | May 8, 2020 | May 27, 2020 | June 19, 2020 |
Planning ahead is undoubtedly very important. The last date you can take a subject test before the Early Decision/Early Action application deadline is November 2, while the last subject test you can take before the Regular Decision deadline is December 7. Another smart decision would be to pick a date close to your school finals so that you can cover the material for both exams and don’t need to re-learn for the subject tests. Note that if you are hoping to take a language subject test with listening, those are only offered during the November session, so plan accordingly. If you’re registered for one of these, you also have to bring your own CD player, as the test will be provided to you on a CD.
Although the list of schools that absolutely require subject tests isn’t very long, doing well on the tests boosts your application, as most schools do recommend or at least consider them. If you’re applying for engineering or other STEM specific schools that require subject tests, you should definitely use subject tests as yet another opportunity to show college admissions officers that you are a strong fit for their institution. If not, you should still take the tests and aim to score as high as possible in your area of strength. With schools becoming more competitive each year, every little thing counts. A high SAT subject test score in your area of expertise could be just the thing to give you an edge over the competition.
