But course content and grading standards vary widely among high schools, making it difficult for colleges to compare the academic records of their applicants. The Subject Tests give colleges a more objective way to evaluate what students know and can do. These tests are intended to supplement, not replace, students' high school records and other information in assessing their readiness for college-level work. Other Subject Tests, such as languages, require several years of study in the subject. Subject Tests and to ask their teachers for guidance regarding when to test.
Meticulous care goes into developing and evaluating each test.
Test developers write the questions for the Subject Tests, sometimes incorporating questions submitted by high school and college teachers from around the country. A test committee made up of high school and college faculty reviews each test before it is administered. To ensure that the Subject Tests are valid measures of the skills and knowledge specified for the tests, as well as fair to all students, the SAT Program maintains rigorous standards for administering and scoring the tests and reporting test scores. The data show that the material on the Subject Tests and the time limits allocated to each test are appropriately difficult for the intended test-taking population. Each Subject Test is designed to cover a wide range of knowledge, skills, and subject matter.