Subject Test FAQ
- I've heard that you lose a fraction of a point for each incorrect answer. Does that mean I shouldn't guess?
- What's the difference between the SAT Reasoning Test and the SAT Subject Tests?
I've heard that you lose a fraction of a point for each incorrect answer. Does that mean I shouldn't guess?
It's often to your advantage to guess. The quarter point deduction for multiple-choice questions adjusts for the chance that you may randomly guess the correct answer to a problem. So random guessing is unlikely to raise or lower your score significantly. In other words, random guessing usually has the same effect as leaving the question blank.
However, if you can eliminate any answer choices because you are confident that they are wrong, you should guess from the remaining choices. Each eliminated answer choice increases chances you will get the right answer. In non-random guessing, you will, on average, gain more points for correct guesses than you will lose for incorrect ones.
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What's the difference between the SAT Reasoning Test and the SAT Subject Tests?
The SAT Reasoning Test (formerly called the SAT-I) is designed to test your general math, verbal and writing abilities. The SAT Subject Tests (formerly called the SAT-II) test your knowledge of specific academic subjects such as math, chemistry, biology, history, and foreign languages. The SAT Subject math tests cover more advanced topics than appear on the SAT Reasoning Test. The SAT and subject tests are usually offered on the same day, but you cannot take both at the same time. The SAT is a four-hour test. The subject tests are each one hour long, and you may take as many as three on any one test date.
Not all subject tests are offered every test date, and they are not offered at all in March/April. Check the schedule carefully when planning the tests you will take.
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