BRITTANY MASCHAL CONSULTING

College Board Ends SAT Subject Tests Program & SAT Essay

By Brittany MaschalJan 19, 2021

Heard this “rumor” a few days ago. We will post on it more as we learn more. Read Compass’ post here for their full run-down, including some helpful (and evolving) Q/A:

Does this mean that my Subject Test registration is canceled?
There will not be any future U.S. administrations of the Subject Tests. International students will have the opportunity to take Subject Tests in May and June 2021 before the program is sunset altogether. Students can work with College Board to change a Subject Test registration to an SAT registration or receive a refund.

When will colleges update their policies to reflect the cancelation of the Subject Tests and Essay?
It may take time for colleges to react to January 19th’s news. Many colleges do not reevaluate testing requirements until after they complete the admission cycle in the spring. Students in the class of 2022 or later should be aware that language about Subject Tests and the Essay on college websites may be outdated for some time. Colleges that currently utilize the Subject Tests and/or the Essay will need to articulate whether those students who have already taken them are encouraged to submit them.

Why is College Board making this decision now?
The Subject Test and Essay eliminations are sure to be roundly celebrated by students and counselors who see the move for what it is on its face: a few less items to worry about. And those supportive cheers will play conveniently well into the College Board’s couching of this decision as a purely selfless, student-friendly act.

But it’s not that simple. While the end of Subject Tests removes one discretionary concern from the minds of a narrow band of college applicants (about 10% of college-bound students took Subject Tests each year), it also frees up resources for the College Board to allocate elsewhere. After celebrating the public relations win of today’s news, College Board will continue doubling down on its efforts and investments to push AP further into the center of the industrial enterprise it so heavily influences: create more AP programs, sell more AP exams, and perhaps even encourage colleges to think of AP scores as de facto college admissions measurements.

So was this a compassionate act aimed at simplifying the lives of students? Or was this a pragmatic decision to cut one’s worst losses? It was both. Today’s news represents at once a move away from an unpopular underperformer and a step toward better nourishing a more tolerated product line with greater potential to thrive. Everybody wins, perhaps? It just feels like the College Board wins a little more.

Will the elimination of Subject Tests mean more interest in AP exams?
Yes, likely so, especially within certain niches. Even with zero U.S. colleges requiring Subject Tests, more than 400,000 were still taken by the class of 2020. This energy has to go somewhere. Some of it will flow to heightened interest in APs and more pressure on schools to make AP testing opportunities available to students. While more than 80% of US high schools offer AP classes, there are thousands of high schools that do not. Some of these schools lack the resources to do so, while others have such an abundance of resources that they do not feel the need to bother. The latter group — predominantly highly competitive independent schools — finds the AP framework constricting. Subject Tests served as an option for non-AP students to demonstrate knowledge to colleges. Without that outlet, schools may face renewed questions from parents about APs.

Can I take an AP instead of a Subject Test?
Some colleges recommend that students provide standardized test scores such as Subject Tests or APs. However, the content and expectations on the AP test are different. Students should consider whether an AP test — especially when unconnected from an AP course — makes sense.

Currently, students can search the AP ledger at https://apcourseaudit.inflexion.org/ledger/ to find local schools offering the exams that might be able to accommodate test-takers from other schools. The deadline to register for a May exam was pushed back to March 12th this year due to the pandemic.

Is the SAT Essay eliminated entirely?
The SAT Essay will still be available for students to add on to their SAT through the June 2021 administration. The Essay may survive beyond June for state-funded School Day testing. College Board is contracted to deliver the Essay as part of its SAT program in some states. As an admission tool, students should consider the Essay as canceled.

Will my March SAT w/ Essay registration be canceled?
No, the Essay is still alive through the June 2021 test date. Students should contact College Board if they wish to have their reservations switched to the SAT w/o Essay and the difference in fees refunded.

Will colleges look at SAT Essay and ACT Writing scores that students have already taken?
Admission offices have not yet said if they will ignore prior essay scores or scores that are part of state-mandated testing. Compass does not expect that essay scores will have a role to play for the class of 2022 and beyond.

Will ACT eliminate the Writing test?
ACT may not want to be seen as immediately following College Board’s lead, but it faces the same reality — an essay test that was already struggling prior to the pandemic. ACT’s business is even more dependent on state-funded testing, so we expect that it will need time to consult with its partners before announcing a decision. Compass’s recommendation is for U.S. students to skip any optional Writing test.

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Updated SAT Subject Test Policies

By Brittany MaschalMar 14, 2017

From Compass, updated SAT Subject test (SAT II) requirements and recommendations for the Class of 2018. Not many changes here, but worth reviewing now as it is time to sign up for May and June exams, and think ahead as you create your testing plan. Thanks, Compass!

College	Summary	Subject Test Policy
California Institute of Technology	Required	Caltech requires the SAT or ACT with Writing AND the following Subject Tests: Math Level 2, and one SAT Subject Test in Biology (Ecological), Biology (Molecular), Chemistry, or Physics.
Carnegie Mellon University	Required	Carnegie Mellon requires the SAT or ACT with Writing AND 2 SAT Subject Tests (for most applicants). Subject requirements vary by program, but include Math (Level 1 or Level 2). College of Fine Arts programs, with the exception of Architecture, do not require Subject Tests.
Cornell University	Required	Cornell requires the SAT or ACT. Some Cornell colleges require 2 Subject Test(s).
Harvard University	Required	Harvard requires the SAT or ACT with Writing. Two SAT Subject Tests are “normally” required. “While we normally require two SAT Subject Tests, you may apply without them if the cost of taking the tests represents a financial hardship or if you prefer to have your application considered without them…If your first language is not English, a Subject Test in your first language may be less helpful.”
Harvey Mudd College	Required	Harvey Mudd requires the SAT or ACT AND 2 SAT Subject Tests (Math Level 2 and one other).
King’s College of London	Required	King’s College requires U.S. applicants to submit scores from 3 SAT Subject Tests or 3 AP exams.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Required	MIT requires the SAT or ACT AND one SAT Subject Test in math and one in science. “We do not have a preference as to which science you take or which level math you take.”
McGill University	Required (or ACT)	McGill requires the SAT and 2 SAT Subject Tests OR ACT. Subject recommendations vary by department.
Rice University	Required (or ACT)	Rice requires the SAT and 2 SAT Subject Tests OR ACT with Writing. It is recommended that Subject Tests be taken in subjects related to proposed area of study.
Tufts University	Required (or ACT)	Tufts requires the SAT and 2 SAT Subject Tests OR ACT. Engineering applicants submitting Subject Tests are advised to take math and either physics or chemistry. Students considering a major in mathematics or the sciences are advised to take math and a science test.
University of Toronto	Required	Toronto requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing from U.S. applicants. Most programs also require U.S. students to submit Subject Test, AP, or IB scores in specific areas.
Webb Institute	Required	Webb requires the SAT or ACT with Writing AND SAT Subject Tests in Math (Level 1 or Level 2) and either Chemistry or Physics.
Wellesley College	Required (or ACT)	Wellesley requires the SAT and 2 SAT Subject Tests OR ACT with Writing. At least one quantitative Subject Test strongly recommended to students pursuing math or sciences.
Brown University	Recommended	Brown requires the SAT with writing or the ACT with writing. They recommend, but do not require, the submission of two SAT Subject Tests of the student’s choice.
Carleton College	Recommended	Carleton requires the SAT or ACT with Writing and recommends SAT Subject Tests, because the scores “usually enhance a candidate’s credentials.”
Dartmouth College	Recommended	Dartmouth requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and recommends 2 SAT Subject Tests.
Davidson College	Recommended	Davidson requires the SAT or ACT. Two Subject Tests (Math and one other) are recommended for students submitting SAT scores.
Duke University	Recommended Strongly (or ACT)	Duke requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and recommends 2 SAT Subject Tests if applicants submit SAT. Subject Tests are considered if applicants submit ACT. “Applicants to the Pratt School of Engineering who take the SAT must take one SAT Subject Test in Mathematics (level 1 or level 2).”
Emory University	Recommended	Emory requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. “[SAT Subject Tests] are encouraged, but not required. Students are encouraged to submit SAT subject exam scores for academic areas of strength and/or interest.”
Georgetown University	Recommended Strongly	Georgetown requires the SAT or ACT and does not consider the essay from either test. Georgetown strongly recommends 3 Subject Tests. Applicants are required to submit all College Board and ACT scores.
Lafayette College	Recommended	Lafayette requires the SAT or ACT and recommends applicants submit SAT Subject Tests.
Northwestern University	Recommended	Northwestern requires the SAT or ACT. Northwestern recommends applicants take 2 SAT Subject Tests. The Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME) and the Integrated Science Program (ISP) require specific Subject Tests.
Pratt Institute	Recommended	Pratt requires the SAT or ACT. Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. Bachelor of Architecture applicants are encouraged to take Math Level 1 or Level 2.
Princeton University	Recommended	Princeton requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. Princeton recommends that applicants submit 2 Subject Tests. Engineering candidates are advised to take a math Subject Test and either chemistry or physics.
Stanford University	Recommended	Stanford requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. ALL test scores from ALL dates must be submitted for the SAT and ACT. “SAT Subject Tests are recommended but not required. Applicants who do not take SAT Subject Tests will not be at a disadvantage. Because SAT Subject Tests are optional, applicants may use Score Choice to selectively send their SAT Subject Test scores.”
University of California, Berkeley	Recommended	UC Berkeley requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. College of Chemistry and College of Engineering recommend Math Level 2 and a science related to the applicant’s intended major.
University of California, Irvine	Recommended	UC Irvine requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. School of Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Physical Sciences, and Program in Public Health all have specific Subject Test recommendations.
University of California, Los Angeles	Recommended	UCLA requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. School of Engineering and Applied Sciences recommends Math Level 2 and a science test related to the applicant’s intended major.
University of California, Riverside	Recommended	UC Riverside requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and College of Engineering recommend Math Level 2 and either Chemistry or Physics.
University of California, San Diego	Recommended	UC San Diego requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. Biological or physical science applicants and applicants to the School of Engineering should take Math Level 2 and a science Subject Test related to the applicant’s intended major.
University of California, Santa Barbara	Recommended	UC Santa Barbara requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. Math Level 2 is recommended for College of Engineering applicants and College of Creative Studies applicants in math, physics, or computer science. In addition, physics, biology, chemistry, and biochemistry majors are encouraged to take the appropriate science Subject Test.
University of Delaware	Recommended	Delaware requires the SAT or ACT and recommends (STRONGLY, for the Honors Program) that applicants take SAT Subject Tests.
University of Georgia	Recommended	Georgia requires the SAT or ACT and recommends that applicants submit SAT Subject Test scores.
University of Pennsylvania	Recommended	Penn requires the SAT or ACT. Any 2 Subject Tests are recommended for arts, humanities, and social sciences applicants. STEM applicants are strongly encouraged to take Math Level 2 and a science Subject Test (Physics recommended for engineering applicants). Math Level 2 is recommended for business applicants. Nursing applicants are encouraged to submit a science Subject Test (preferably, Chemistry).
Yale University	Recommended	Yale requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and recommends that applicants take SAT Subject Tests.
Amherst College	Considered	Amherst requires the SAT or ACT and considers Subject Tests if submitted. Optional essays are recommended.
Babson College	Considered	Babson requires the SAT or ACT with Writing. Babson considers SAT Subject Tests if submitted.
Barnard College	Considered	Barnard requires the SAT or ACT and considers Subject Tests if submitted. (This is a new policy for the class of 2017).
Bates College	Considered	Bates is test optional. Subject Tests are considered if submitted.
Boston College	Considered	Boston College requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests may “highlight a talent in a specific area.”
Boston University	Considered	Boston University requires the SAT or ACT with Writing. Accelerated medical and dental programs require Subject Tests in Chemistry and Math 2. A Subject Test in a foreign language is also recommended for these programs.
Bowdoin College	Considered	Bowdoin is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
Bucknell University	Considered	Bucknell requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests will be considered as “supplemental information.”
Case Western Reserve University	Considered	Case Western requires the SAT or ACT and considers optional essays and Subject Tests if submitted.
Claremont McKenna	Considered	Claremont requires the SAT or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted.
College of William & Mary	Considered	William & Mary requires the SAT or ACT. Subject Tests are optional.
Columbia University	Considered	Columbia requires the SAT or ACT and considers Subject Tests if submitted. (This is a new policy for the class of 2017).
Connecticut College	Considered	Connecticut College is test optional. Students may choose to submit the SAT Reasoning Test, 2 Subject Tests, or the ACT if they wish. “If you submit multiple SAT Subject Tests, we will consider your two highest scores from two different tests.”
The Cooper Union	Considered	Cooper Union requires the SAT or ACT with Writing. School of Engineering requires SAT Subject tests in Math and either Physics or Chemistry.
Franklin Olin College of Engineering	Considered	Olin requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted.
George Washington University	Considered	George Washington is test optional. SAT or ACT scores and two SAT Subject Tests are required in science and mathematics for the Seven Year BA/MD program.
Ithaca College	Considered	Ithaca is test optional. Students may submit SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests as “supplemental information.”
Johns Hopkins University	Considered	Johns Hopkins requires the SAT or ACT. Students may submit Subject Tests as a “way to demonstrate an academic strength . . . Engineering applicants are encouraged to submit Math Level 2 and one science.”
Kenyon College	Considered	Kenyon requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests and SAT or ACT essays will be considered as additional information.
Macalester College	Considered	Macalester requires the SAT or ACT and will consider SAT Subject Tests if submitted.
Oberlin College	Considered	Oberlin requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
Occidental College	Considered	Occidental requires the SAT or ACT. The optional essays are recommended. SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
Pomona College	Considered	Pomona requires the SAT or ACT. The optional essays are recommended. SAT Subject Tests are considered as part of a complete testing profile.
Reed College	Considered	Reed requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Considered	RPI requires the SAT (Essay optional) or ACT with Writing. Applicants to the accelerated program must take the ACT with Writing or the SAT with Essay and 2 SAT Subject Tests (1 math and 1 science).
Scripps College	Considered	Scripps requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
Smith College	Considered	Smith is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
Stevens Institute of Technology	Considered	Stevens requires the SAT or ACT. Subject Tests in Math (Level 1 or 2) and either Chemistry or Biology are required for the Accelerated Medical Program.
Swarthmore College	Considered	Swarthmore requires the SAT or ACT. The optional essays will not be considered. Subject Tests scores will be considered if submitted. Prospective engineers are encouraged to take Math Level 2.
Union College	Considered	Union is test optional except for the Law and Public Policy Program and the Leadership in Medicine Program. The 6-year law program requires the SAT or ACT. The 8-year medical program requires either the ACT with Writing or the SAT and 2 Subject Tests.
University of California, Davis	Considered	UC Davis requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. SAT Subject Tests are considered if submitted.
University of California, Merced	Considered	UC Merced requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. SAT Subject Tests are considered if submitted.
University of California, Santa Cruz	Considered	UC Santa Cruz requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. SAT Subject Tests are considered if submitted.
University of Chicago	Considered	University of Chicago requires the SAT or ACT and will consider SAT Subject Tests if submitted. “If you have done exceptionally well on a particular subject test and would like to show us, feel free to send us that score.”
University of Miami	Considered	Miami requires the SAT or ACT. Optional essays are required but used for placement only. Honors Program in Medicine and Honors Program in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology require minimum scores of 600 on a math Subject Test and on a science Subject Test.
University of Michigan	Considered	Michigan requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and will consider SAT Subject Tests “only in light of how they might benefit your review.”
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill	Considered	UNC-Chapel Hill requires the SAT or ACT. “You may submit supplemental scores from AP, IB, or SAT Subject tests if you think they are a good reflection of your mastery of the material.”
University of Notre Dame	Considered	Notre Dame requires the SAT or ACT. “SAT Subject Tests, AP, and IB tests are only used in the application process if scores enhance an application.”
University of Southern California	Considered	USC requires the SAT or ACT and considers SAT Subject Tests “optional.”
University of Virginia	Considered	Virginia requires the SAT or ACT and will consider SAT Subject Tests if submitted.
Vanderbilt University	Considered	Vanderbilt requires the SAT or ACT and will consider Subject Tests if submitted. School of Engineering applicants choosing to submit scores should strongly consider taking either Math Level 1 or Level 2.
Vassar College	Considered	Vassar requires SAT or ACT. For the class of 2017 and beyond, Vassar no longer requires SAT Subject Tests but will consider them if submitted.
Wake Forest University	Considered	Wake Forest is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
Washington University in St. Louis	Considered	Washington University in St. Louis requires the SAT or ACT and will only “consider [SAT Subject Tests] if they strengthen your application.”
Wesleyan University	Considered	Wesleyan is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. All entering first-year students must submit ACT or SAT and two SAT Subject Test scores after the conclusion of the admission process for academic counseling and placement.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute	Considered	WPI is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
Colby College	Alternative	Colby’s testing requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (2) ACT (3) Three Subject Tests.
Colorado College	Alternative	Colorado College’s requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (2) ACT (3) Three exams of the student’s choice, including one verbal/writing and one quantitative, selected from the lists provided by Colorado College’s website.
Hamilton College	Alternative	Hamilton’s testing requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (Essay optional) (2) ACT (Writing optional) (3) Quantitative, verbal, and writing tests from among SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, and APs.
Middlebury College	Alternative	Middlebury’s testing requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (2) ACT (3) Three Subject Tests.
New York University	Alternative	NYU’s testing requirements are satisfied by fulfilling one of the following: (A) SAT (B) ACT with Writing (C) 3 Subject Tests (D) 3 AP exams (E) The International Baccalaureate Diploma (F) 3 IB higher-level exams (if a student is not an IB Diploma candidate). Students who choose to submit three SAT Subject Test, AP, or IB scores must submit one in literature or the humanities, one in math or science, and one of the student’s choice. Some programs have additional requirements.
University of Rochester	Alternative	Rochester’s testing requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (2) ACT (3) 2 or more results from SAT Subject Tests, AP exams, or IB exams.

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The Future of SAT Subject Tests

By Brittany MaschalNov 30, 2016

Why are Subject Tests required by drastically fewer colleges than a decade ago? Is the relevance and popularity of the tests actually diminishing? Are the tests likely to survive or will they be discontinued by the College Board?

The perceived necessity of College Board’s Subject Tests has been on the decline since 2005 when the SAT II Writing test was essentially folded into the SAT. Subject Tests are explicitly required (no substitutions or exceptions) by only five U.S. colleges, about 90% fewer than just a decade ago. Read more via this helpful Compass post.

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