Students usually take the SAT II after finishing the corresponding course. If the student intends to take an AP course for the same subject, we recommend taking the SAT II after finishing the AP course.  It is a good idea to do some extra studying in the summer before taking the test in the fall because school courses often do not cover all the material included in the tests.  Most Ivy League colleges require two SAT II Subject Tests.

Since colleges do not require every SAT II subject test, it is better to choose subjects required by the colleges the student is applying to, subjects the student believes he or she can score well on, or subjects related to the major the student will pursue in college.  Always do practice tests before taking the real test to estimate your performance and to help you decide whether or not to take the test.

SAT II subject tests are one-hour long, multiple-choice exams. Different subjects have different numbers of questions. You need to be very knowledgeable about each subject you intend to take and train yourself to think quickly. In addition to doing well in the class, you also need to do multiple practice tests to get an idea about the content, timing, format, etc. of the exam.

The best time to take a test is within one to two weeks after extensive practice.  Take enough time to practice; for more difficult subjects, use your summer break to prepare. Do not take multiple subject tests in same day if it can be avoided. Choose subject tests that you are confident you can score well on, unless a subject test is required by the college to which you would like to apply.

Students can register for the SAT Reasoning Test and the SAT II Subject Tests at www.collegeboard.com.

Please confirm all testing dates at: http://sat.collegeboard.com/register/sat-subject-test-dates