College Admissions Requirements - SAT Subject Tests

Information for Parents and Students

In evaluating hundreds of policies and talking with dozens of admissions officers, a constant theme keeps coming up - colleges want to look at you in the most favorable light. They may indeed put your application under the microscope in order to make a good match, but they do so only after giving you the benefit of the doubt. Almost all schools will evaluate you based on your highest SAT scores, for example. Some will take your best individual scores and combine them, while others will look at your highest combined score on a given test date. All schools will accept either the SAT or the ACT and, in many cases, use the best scores if both are submitted. In cases where you take more than the required number of SAT Subject Tests, most schools have a policy of considering your best scores. If you repeat a Subject Test, the higher score is generally used. When you submit any SAT or Subject Test scores to a school, they receive your entire list of scores up to that point. This fact intimidates some students and can lead them to make poor test-taking decisions - waiting too long before taking the SAT, for example, or being too hesitant to take a Subject Test at a time when they are best prepared.

SAT Subject Tests
Although the name of these tests has changed from Achievement Tests to SAT IIs to SAT Subject Tests, the basic idea remains the same: they are tests in specific subject areas that provide competitive colleges with additional information about your academic achievements. You can find additional information in the Subject Tests area of our website or at the College Board.

Required, Recommended, or Considered?
The first category of school is clear - applicants must take the Subject Tests (2 or 3) or, in some cases, an acceptable alternative such as the ACT. "Recommended" is the most elastic term and should be interpreted in light of a school's competitiveness and in consultation with its admissions office. Although Stanford only "recommends" the Subject Tests, in most cases it would pose a severe handicap to an applicant not to submit Subject Tests. We have tried to identify schools that "strongly" recommend the Subject Tests. Schools that "consider" the Subject Tests generally treat them as supplemental material that can give a more complete picture of a student's academic abilities. The University of Notre Dame is typical in its statement: "SAT IIs, AP tests and IB tests are only used in the application process if scores enhance an application. They are also used for credit and placement in the First Year of Studies."

ACT
The ACT is a popular alternative to the SAT and is accepted by most colleges. There is no surefire method of predicting whether or not a student will perform better on the ACT or on the SAT. Compass recommends that students considering the ACT over the SAT take practice tests in both areas (contact us for more details). Although the Writing section (essay) of the ACT is optional, Compass strongly encourages students to view it as an essential component of the ACT. Many colleges require the ACT with Writing, so completing the essay keeps your options open.

Another interesting twist to the ACT is that a number of colleges accept it in lieu of the SAT and the SAT Subject Tests. Before committing to this option, please consult with the colleges and your college counselor to ensure that it best supports your application.