SAT Subject Test in Chemistry

The SAT Subject Test in Chemistry is the name of a one-hour multiple choice test given on chemistry by The College Board. A student chooses whether to take the test depending upon college entrance requirements for the schools in which the student is planning to apply. Until 1994, the SAT Subject Tests were known as Achievement Tests; until January 2005, they were known as SAT IIs; they are still well known by this name.

Additional recommended knowledge

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Daily Sensitivity Test

Daily Visual Balance Check

Format

The first 25 questions numbered 1-25 are 'classification questions'. The next 15 questions numbered 101-115 called 'relationship analysis questions,' which require the student to identify the truth value of two statements and of true to determine whether or not the second statement logically explains the first. The last 45 questions numbered 26-70 are standard multiple choice questions. The Metric system of measure is used.

Scoring

The test has 85 multiple choice questions that are to be answered in one hour. All questions have five answer choices. Students receive 1 point for every correct answer, lose ¼ of a point for each incorrect answer, and receive 0 points for questions left blank. This score is them converted to a scaled score of 200-800, although in 2006-07 test administrations no one received a score of less than 450. The mean score for the 2006-07 test administrations was 629 with a standard deviation 110.

Preparation

The College Board's recommended preparation is a one-year college preparatory course in chemistry, a one-year course in algebra, and experience in the laboratory. However, because logarithms are on the test, but not usually taught until second year algebra, two years of algebra are required to get a top score.

Resources

The student is not allowed to use any textbook or notes during the test. Although there are math questions including logarithms the use of a calculator is neither allowed nor required. A simple periodic table is provided at the front of the test for reference.

See also

• SAT
• SAT Subject Tests
• PSAT/NMSQT