When Do SAT Subject Test Scores Come Out?

The college admissions process is truly a testing-heavy venture, and it can start as early as your freshman year of high school. For starters, you need to take AP/IB exams for every single one of those advanced courses you take if you want to earn college credit; most students have to take the SAT/ACT (or both) more than once just to get their goal score; and this is on top of the normal exams, quizzes, and assignments that you need to complete just to pass your classes. Now, just when you think you’re done, many colleges require one or two OTHER standardized tests: SAT Subject Tests.

SAT Subject Tests, also known as SAT II’s, are created and administered by the same organization that administers the SAT: the College Board. However, SAT Subject Tests are completely different exams that require different study strategies and a different level of time commitment.

Many elite colleges recommend that students take 1-2 SAT Subject Tests and send those scores along with their applications. But when do SAT Subject Test scores even come out? In other words, how long do you have to wait, biting your nails, to see if you did well on your SAT Subject Tests? Read on to find out.

A Quick Review: What Are SAT Subject Tests?

SAT Subject Tests are standardized examinations that end up being supplementary components of your college application. Each subject test is one-hour long, but most students opt to take multiple SAT Subject Tests one after another.

Each test is subject-specific, and you get to choose which subjects you want to be tested in. The SAT Subject Test disciplines range all the way from English literature to Physics, so you’re bound to find something that you could excel in. Finally, for the most part, SAT Subject Tests are largely multiple-choice, with a similar scoring system as that of the SAT.

Some schools require or recommend the number of SAT Subject Tests a student should take, and many recommend the specific subject as well. Which SAT Subject Test will be recommended for you highly depends on your intended major, however. For example, if you’re planning on studying Business, most colleges will ask you to take Math Level II and any non-STEM subject test. However, if you’re going into a STEM field, colleges usually ask that you take two STEM-related subject tests.

Once you’ve taken an SAT Subject Test, you will receive a score report from the College Board. This score report will contain a composite score from 200-800, and that is the score that colleges want to see. The higher your score is, the better.

When Do SAT Subject Test Scores Come Out?

The College Board will grade your exam after you sit and take the test and give you your scores via your Online Score Report. If you did not register for your SAT Subject Test online, your scores will be sent in paper form in the mail. If you wish, you can receive your scores via phone, but this will cost you an extra fee.

Of course, it takes a bit of time for the College Board to turn around these exams and give you your scores. The College Board is advertising that score reports should be available approximately 13 days after you sit and take the exam.  However, there are some exceptions, as displayed below.

Here are the implications for the SAT Subject Test Dates for the 2019-2020 academic year:

If you signed up to send your SAT Subject Test scores to colleges, your scores will be sent within 10 days after you receive your online score report.