The Differences Between the SAT Math Subject Tests

In addition to the SAT reasoning test (which most people simply refer to as the SAT), the College Board offers several SAT subject tests. Whether you should take any of these tests depends entirely upon the colleges you will be applying to. Some colleges require 2 or 3 SAT subject tests, while others may just recommend them.

There are two different subject tests for math: a Level 1 test and a Level 2 test. The question that I get asked about most frequently with regard to these tests is which is the best to take. In this article, I hope to provide you with enough information to make an informed decision.

Test Length and Structure

Both the Level 1 and Level 2 SAT math subject tests consist of 50 multiple choice questions. You are given an hour to complete each test. I like to think of each test as broken up into 5 pieces of 10 questions each, progressively increasing in difficulty level. In other words, I consider questions 1 through 10 to be difficulty level 1, questions 11 through 20 difficulty level 2, and so on, up through difficulty level 5 questions. Note that this is just a rough estimate – overall the questions do increase in difficulty as you work your way through the test, but easier questions can certainly occur after harder questions. In an attempt to avoid confusion, from now on I will use the word “Level” when talking about the Level 1 or 2 test, and the abbreviations L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 for the difficulty levels of questions.

One really important thing to understand is that an L1 question on the Level 2 test is much harder than an L1 question on the Level 1 test. As an estimate, I like to add 2 “L’s” in translating from the Level 2 to the Level 1 test. In other words, an L1 question on the Level 2 test (questions 1-10) is about the same difficulty as an L3 question on the Level 1 test (questions 21-30). As another way to think of this, to translate the difficulty level of a problem from the Level 1 to the Level 2 test, simply subtract 20 from the question number. So for example, question 40 on the Level 1 test would probably appear as about question 20 on the Level 2 test, and question 15 on the Level 1 test wouldn’t appear on the Level 2 test because it would be too easy.

Scoring

Both SAT math subject tests are graded out of 800, but the way the score is determined is quite different for these two tests. The Level 2 test has a much, much more generous curve than the Level 1 test. If you get 2/3 of the answers correct on the Level 1 test, your final score will be about a 600. The same 2/3 ratio of correct answers on the Level 2 test will give you a final score of about 700. On many Level 2 tests, you can get up to 6 questions wrong and still get a perfect score of 800, whereas on the Level 1 test, you usually need to get every question correct for a perfect score.

Mathematics Covered

The two SAT math subject tests cover many of the same topics, but there are differences. The Level 1 test covers topics from two years of algebra and one year of geometry (including a bit of trigonometry). The Level 2 test covers more advanced trigonometry and precalculus, and even throws in the occasional calculus problem. The following topics are covered on the Level 2 test, but not on the Level 1 test.

• Series
• Vectors
• Graphical Analysis of Complex Numbers
• Quadratic and Exponential Regression
• Standard Deviation
• Parametric Equations
• Recursive Equations
• Ellipses and Hyperbolas
• Polar Coordinates
• Distance in Three Dimensions
• Solid Geometry
• Radian Measure
• Graphs of Trig Functions
• Inverse Trig Functions
• Laws of Sines and Cosines
• Double Angle Formulas

One other big difference is that the Geometry on the Level 1 test is mostly coordinate and plane geometry, whereas there are only coordinate and solid geometry questions on the Level 2 test (although the solid geometry questions very often amount to understanding concepts in plane geometry).

Final Note

The best way to decide which test you should focus on is to take a practice test for both the Level 1 and Level 2 subject tests. I strongly recommend using official practice tests from the test makers themselves. Make sure to finish each test, and to score each one carefully. Remember that the Level 2 test has a much more generous curve. So it is possible to “feel” like you are performing much worse on the Level 2 test, and yet still wind up with a higher scaled score.

Once you decide which test you will focus on, make sure you take some time to prepare. If you’ve already prepared for SAT math, then about 20 minutes per day for another month should do the trick. You may want to use one of the books from my “320 Problems” series to prepare. Click on each of the following books to view the book’s Amazon page:

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