SAT Subject Test Dates 2019-2020
Note: Please look into potential SAT test center closures or makeups due to the Coronavirus.
Most college-bound high schoolers will take standardized tests at some point. These are typically either the ACT or SAT, and some combination of SAT Subject Tests. While ACT or SAT strategies often snag the spotlight, SAT Subject Tests tend to get little attention in comparison. Despite that, they remain an important piece of the admissions puzzle at many colleges and universities, so they shouldn’t be taken lightly. In this post, we discuss exactly what an SAT Subject Test is and when you can take them. Keep reading for the 2019-2020 SAT Subject Test calendar.
What Are SAT Subject Tests?
SAT Subject Tests, previously known as SAT IIs, are essentially standardized tests in specific subject areas. Whereas the SAT is designed to specifically measure your reasoning skills and your ability to apply knowledge, SAT Subject Tests are designed to test subject-specific knowledge. Due to the more specialized pool of knowledge needed for them, most students who take SAT Subject Tests have already taken the high school class associated with the subject, or have otherwise gained a similar depth of knowledge in that area.
Many colleges require that applicants take SAT Subject Tests, but the specific requirements are unique to each school. Some schools allow students to select which subject tests they take and require only a certain number of them, or only recommend them. Other schools require specific subject tests, or subject tests in one of several broader areas of curriculum, like the sciences.
What Does the Annual SAT Subject Test Calendar Look Like?
Generally, SAT Subject Tests are offered on the same days as the regular SAT, with just a few exceptions. SAT Subject Tests are not available during the April or March SAT administrations, and not all SAT Subject Tests are offered on each testing day. To learn when you can take your SAT Subject Tests, check out the calendar below.
| SAT Date | SAT Subject Tests Available | Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline |
| May 4, 2019 |
• Literature
• U.S. History • Mathematics Level 1 • Mathematics Level 2 • Biology E/M • Chemistry • Physics • French • Spanish |
April 5, 2019 |
April 16, 2019 (for mailed registrations)
April 24, 2019 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
| June 1, 2019 |
• Literature
• U.S. History • World History • Mathematics Level 1 • Mathematics Level 2 • Biology E/M • Chemistry • Physics • French • German • Spanish • Modern Hebrew • Italian • Latin |
May 3, 2019 |
May 14, 2019 (for mailed registrations)
May 22, 2019 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
| August 24, 2019 |
• Literature
• U.S. History • World History • Mathematics Level 1 • Mathematics Level 2 • Biology E/M • Chemistry • Physics • French • Spanish |
July 26, 2019 |
August 6, 2019 (for mailed registrations)
August 13, 2019 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
| October 5, 2019 |
• Literature
• U.S. History • Mathematics Level 1 • Mathematics Level 2 • Biology E/M • Chemistry • Physics • French • Spanish |
September 6, 2019 |
September 17, 2019 (for mailed registrations)
September 24, 2019 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
| November 2, 2019 |
• Literature
• U.S. History • Mathematics Level 1 • Mathematics Level 2 • Biology E/M • Chemistry • Physics • French with Listening • German with Listening • Spanish with Listening • Chinese with Listening • Japanese with Listening • Korean with Listening |
October 3, 2019 |
October 15, 2019 (for mailed registrations)
October 22, 2019 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
| December 7, 2019 |
• Literature
• U.S. History • World History • Mathematics Level 1 • Mathematics Level 2 • Biology E/M • Chemistry • Physics • French • Spanish • Latin |
November 8, 2019 |
November 19, 2019 (for mailed registrations)
November 26, 2019 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
| May 2, 2020 |
• Literature
• U.S. History • Mathematics Level 1 • Mathematics Level 2 • Biology E/M • Chemistry • Physics • French • Spanish |
April 3, 2020 |
April 14, 2020 (for mailed registrations)
April 21, 2020 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
| June 6, 2020 |
• Literature
• U.S. History • World History • Mathematics Level 1 • Mathematics Level 2 • Biology E/M • Chemistry • Physics • French • German • Spanish • Modern Hebrew • Italian • Latin |
May 8, 2020 |
May 19, 2020 (for mailed registrations)
May 27, 2020 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
Important Notes About the Calendar
These dates and deadlines apply to students testing in the United States and in U.S. territories only. When registering, mailed materials must be postmarked and online or phone registrations must be completed by 11:59PM EST on the day of the deadline. Additional fees apply to changes in registration, or to late registrations.
Students who are unable to test on a Saturday due to religious observance can arrange to test on a Sunday instead. Sunday test dates are usually available on the Sunday following a Saturday test. You can learn more on the Sunday testing page.
On any single test date, you can take up to three SAT Subject Tests, but you may not take the SAT on the same day as SAT Subject Tests. You will need to select which SAT Subject Tests you intend to take when you register, but you are allowed to change these choices within certain parameters. You can learn more about this process in the CollegeBoard’s Changing Subject Tests on Test Day section.
Tips for SAT Subject Tests
1. Choose Your Tests Wisely
One of the biggest advantages to taking SAT Subject Tests is that you get to choose which tests you take. This provides a great opportunity for you to highlight areas of strength, interest, or future career paths. Choose which tests you are going to take with intention to maximize the impression you’ll make through them.
To learn more about choosing the right SAT Subject Tests for you, check out these posts:
- Choosing the Right SAT Subject Tests for You
- Which SAT Subject Test Math Should You Take?
- What SAT Subject Tests Should You Take if You’re an Undecided Major?
2. Take the Test As Soon As You Finish the Classes Associated With It
Remember, SAT Subject Tests measure your content knowledge in specific areas. Because you are almost always bound to forget some pieces of information that you have learned for school, it’s best to take the SAT Subject Test as close as possible to the completion of the class it relates to.
For example, if you are taking the Physics SAT Subject Test, you would want to do so as soon as you finish your high school Physics class, probably on the June testing date. Similarly, if you are taking the French SAT Subject Test, you’ll want to take the test when you’ve covered as much French in class as possible. If you are taking French during 12th grade, this might mean that the October or November test dates work best to your advantage, depending on your application timeline.
3. Take Practice Tests Early to Identify Areas for Improvement
Many students find preparing for SAT Subject Tests to be a simpler process than preparing for the SAT. This is probably because SAT Subject Tests are designed specifically to test content knowledge that you are likely to learn in the classroom. Preparing for them often involves brushing up on what you’ve already learned in school.
One great way to prepare for them is to take a practice test early in your test prep. Scoring a complete practice test and then looking for patterns in your mistakes can help you to identify which specific areas you need to brush up on as you begin your studying. You can learn more about this practice in our post What Is a Formative Assessment and Why Should I Use One to Study?.
SAT Subject Tests are a great opportunity to draw attention to your academic skills and highlight the subjects that you’re most interested in.
Preparing for the SAT? Download our free guide with our top 8 tips for mastering the SAT.
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