What's Tested?: The SAT Physics Subject Test will evaluate your understanding of the concepts covered in your high school physics class. You need to be able to apply the concepts, not just memorize them, because only about a third of the 75 multiple-choice questions are memorization-based. The majority of questions require you to solve problems that demonstrate your ability to apply the concepts, especially in the topics of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and waves.
Should I Take the SAT Physics Subject Test?: You should take the SAT Physics Test if both of the following apply to you:
1. Your college requires you to take a few SAT subject tests, or recognizes the tests for credit and placement purposes. The SAT Physics Subject Test is not required by colleges, but some colleges may award credit or advanced placement for good scores on the Physics subject test. 2. You are a strong physics student and have taken a very thorough high school physics course, like an honors or AP class, and you absorbed the material well.
1. Your college requires you to take a few SAT subject tests, or recognizes the tests for credit and placement purposes. The SAT Physics Subject Test is not required by colleges, but some colleges may award credit or advanced placement for good scores on the Physics subject test. 2. You are a strong physics student and have taken a very thorough high school physics course, like an honors or AP class, and you absorbed the material well.
How Do I Prepare For the SAT Physics Subject Test?: Most importantly, you need to have taken high school courses in physics (with a laboratory segment), algebra, and trigonometry, and you should feel comfortable solving problems in those subjects. The physics subject test involves a lot of problem solving, so you can't just memorize key terms. You'll need to understand the underlying concepts of physics and be able to answer questions related to them. So skim through your class notes and physics textbook, but spend most of your time on solving problems that are similar to the ones you'll see on the test.
Do I Need a Test Prep Book? : Even if you've had a great high school physics course, it's a good idea to study with a test prep book specifically targeted to the SAT Physics Subject Test. This way you'll see sample questions that are very similar to what you'll see on test day, which will help guide your preparation as you figure out your weaknesses and strengths in physics. A good test prep book will also make your study time more efficient by presenting the most commonly tested information in a concise format, which really beats having to go through a year's worth of class notes plus a textbook.