SAT Subject Test Day, Step by Step

Ivan19
Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:35:33 +0000

Hello Prospective University/College Students.

Below are the procedures you usually take part in during your SAT 2 test date.
Since there will be an SAT test this Saturday and when I took my SAT 2 test for the first time I was nervous because I did not know what happens on that date, I think this will help take away some of those nerves.

Note: I took the test in Brazil, but I think the steps are the same for every country.

*The Basics

You should have all your materials ready at least a day before.

What you should remember to Bring (This part was taken from College Board website):

. Bring acceptable Photo ID and your SAT Admission Ticket.

. Bring two No. 2 pencils and a good eraser—a pencil is required for the multiple-choice questions and the essay. Mechanical pencils are not allowed because they may have the wrong type of lead or punch through the answer sheet. Pens are not allowed.

. Bring a calculator with fresh batteries.

. Bring snacks. You will get a short break at the end of each hour of testing time. You can eat or drink any snacks you have brought with you during these breaks. A healthy snack will go a long way toward keeping you alert during the entire test.

. Unless otherwise instructed, you need to arrive at your assigned test center by 7:45 a.m. Testing should be completed between 12:30 and 1 p.m.

. Make sure you use a No. 2 pencil on the answer sheet. It is very important that you fill in the entire circle darkly and completely. If you change your response, erase it as completely as possible. Incomplete marks or erasures may affect your score. It is very important that you follow these instructions when filling out your answer sheet.

*Test Day:

You should arrive at your last location with plenty of time, try getting there at around 7:30, College Board says by 7:45 but it´s better if you get earlier.


Note: Make sure you have your SAT Ticket, they usually check for that at the entrance so you are allowed to enter the testing location.

You usually wait at a location the with other students, the location is usually specified by a sign telling you where you should go, a school employee or you will see a crowd of people.
When it is time to go to your testing are, usually around 7:45, someone will usually orient you where to go, either by calling up names, or by getting in a line and checking off your name.


(By now you should be in the specified location in which you will take your test.)

When you enter your testing room, the employees will usually collect your cell phones or just tell you to turn them of and put them away, this depends on the school.
Once all the students are seated, the instructor will talk about the test(e.g. the rules, how to bubble in your answer sheet, pencils and erasers on the desk, etc, things that you should already be familiar with.)
You are then given a large book which contains all the SAT Subject Tests available, more on that later, and a 3 page answer sheet, one for each subject test you may take.
After all students receive the book and answer sheet, the instructor will talk some more.
You will then fill out the back of your book, common questions (e.g. Name, Registration number, address, book code, date, date of birth, etc.)
You are then asked look at the table of contents on the book and open to the page that your first test is located on. (You can choose from any of the three tests you registered for, or less than three depending on how many you will be taking on that day.)


Note: You can also take your test in any order, your ticket may say Math lvl 2, Physics then American History, but you can take Physics first American History second, etc.

You are then asked to fill out your first test information on your answer sheet (e.g. Print Test name on upper right box, answer questions on what classes you have taken in reference to this subject, etc), this will also be done on tests 2 and 3 if you are taking them.
You will then have 1 hour to finish your first test. (The instructor will usually say every 15 minutes how much time is left.)
When time is up, you need to close your book and there will be phrase you must copy ans sign on the bottom of your answer sheet. The phrase is about the fact that you are aware of the test and choices you have responded on the answer sheet and you agree with the terms, etc.
The instructor will then ask the students to raise their hands if they will not be taking anymore tests. Those who will only take one test will have their book and answer sheet collected and they may leave after all the tests have been collected.


If you will take another test, you will remain seated until those who will not take another test leave and than you will have a 10-15 minute break.

After the break you will return to your seats and once allowed, you will open to the next test you wish to take. Once again you will fill out the information for that subject and you will have 1 hour to take the test.
After the test the same thing happens as before, raise your hand who will not be taking anymore tests, wait until everyone leaves, etc, but know you will only have 5 minutes to stretch, bathroom, snack, etc.
You then sit down for your third and final test, if you are taking three tests. You will fill out the information and you will have an hour to take the test.
After this test you will leave, all materials collected before of course, and now you hope that everything you studied for, and what you didn’t study, you answered correctly on the exam.


Note: For students who sign up to tale the SAT test on the test day, you will be given special instruction when filling out your information, but the rest is all the same.

For students who will be taking a language test with audio, I have never seen anyone take the test with audio yet so I don’t know what happens when you do, you probably take out your CD player, you need to bring it, and they will give you the CD for your language test.

*Information and Tips on preparing for the SAT Subject Test:

Each subject has a different amount of test questions(e.g. math level 2 has 50 questions, physics has 75, world history has 90, biology has 80).


Though the amount of questions vary, the time given is 1 hour.

Take practice tests as many times as you can, the lack of practice with timing and lack of familiarity with these tests is a common factor in bringing down student scores.


Don´t just practice 1 test at a time, practice as if it were real, take all the tests in the order you would and in the time allotted. (e.g. 20 minutes to fill out form, one hour test 1, 10 minute break, one hour test 2, 5 minute break, one hour test 3, etc). This will help you tremendously.

Each subject test is graded differently (e.g. You can leave questions 10 blank on math level 2 and get all the other 40 questions right, and you will still get 800 points, on math level 1 you can only leave 3-5 questions blank and get the other 47-45 right to get 800, on world history you can leave 15-20 blank and get other 65-70 right and still get 800.)


This scale of grading usually changes every year but it doesn’t stray far from this.

Anything I mentioned incorrectly or failed to mention, you are all more than welcome to comment on this post.

I hope this will help calm those nerves a bit.

I will post next week about SAT 1 (Reasoning).

Good Luck to all this Saturday.