Difference Between SAT I & SAT II

SAT 1 vs. SAT 2: What is the Difference?

All those who have heard about SAT 2 might be confused what is it all about? SAT 2 is basically an old name for the SAT Subject Tests. So, in short SAT 1 is just plain SAT exam and SAT 2 is the SAT Subject Tests. The student need not really worry when he or she hears such terms. 

The SAT exam is actually a predictor of how students will fare in the college. SAT subject tests are basically hour-long test on specific subjects such as world history, Literature, French, Spanish, Italian, Latin, Modern Hebrew, German with Listening, French with Listening, Chemistry, Physics, Biology etc. In all there are 20 different subject tests. The student is allowed to sign up a maximum of 3 tests on one date.

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Understanding the Difference between SAT1 and SAT 2

SAT 1 lays more emphasis on testing the knowledge of the student rather than logic. SAT 1 tests the general knowledge and SAT 2 takes measure of the topical knowledge of the student. There is a lot of difference in the structure of the exam. Even though both the exams have multiple choice questions SAT 1 offers four answer choices to the students whereas SAT 2 presents five answer choices. This connotes that the probability of getting a right answer is more in SAT 1 i.e. 25% rather than in SAT 2 which is just 20%.  What’s more there is penalty if you answer wrong in SAT Subject Tests where you neither gain nor lose marks in case you answer something wrongly in SAT 1 exam.

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Guessing Penalty in SAT 2

• 1/4 point is deducted if you mark five-choice question wrongly

• 1/3 point is deducted if you mark four-choice question incorrectly

• 1/2 point is deducted if you mark three-choice question wrongly

Different Names for SAT Test: SAT 1, SAT I, SAT Reasoning Test

Different Names for SAT Subject Test: SAT 2, SAT II, SAT Achievement Test

SAT exam is for a period of 3 hrs 50 minutes with an optional essay section. On the other hand SAT 2 extends for a span of just 1 hour. 

SAT includes three sections-Reading, Writing and Math whereas SAT 2 tests the student on 20 different topics. Almost all the colleges necessitate the student to appear for SAT exam. Only selected colleges require SAT 2 test. The basic rule is that you need to appear for the SAT 1 for sure and for SAT 2 you need to check whether the collge you are applying for needs it or not. For this you must check the official website of the college so that you can be sure. If the college does not require SAT 2 scores but consider the same when evaluating the applications the student must go for it as it signifies mastery of the student over a given subject. This will make better his or her chances of being selected.

Some colleges such as Rice and Harvard necessitate the student to submit both SAT 1 and SAT 2 scores. In such a case appearing for the test is mandatory. So, at end of the day check the school you are applying for and make an informed decision.

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