About the Chemistry SAT Subject Test

The Chemistry SAT Subject Test is a one-hour exam composed of 85 multiple-choice questions. It examines students’ knowledge of major chemistry concepts, ability to apply chemical principles to specific problems, and capacity to interpret laboratory data. Students are also expected to be familiar with simple algebraic, arithmetical, and mathematical equations.

• The Chemistry SAT Subject Test is designed to measure students’ knowledge of the material typically covered in a one-year college-preparatory level high school chemistry course and lab. 

• Students are provided with an abridged Periodic Table, presenting only an element’s symbol, atomic number, and mass.

• Students are not allowed to use a calculator on the exam.

• Scoring is based on a 200 to 800 point scale. The raw score is calculated by adding one point for every correct answer and by subtracting ¼ point for every incorrect answer. For each question left blank, zero points can be earned. ETS converts each raw score in to a scaled score using a curve tailored to each particular test.

• The Chemistry SAT Subject Test is administered six Saturdays (or Sundays for those who qualify for religious reasons) a year in October, November, December, January, May, and June.
  
  

Content of the Chemistry SAT Subject Test

Table Source: College Board

There are eight basic categories covered on the exam:

Structure of Matter: 25%
Includes atomic theory and structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, and nuclear reactions.

States of Matter: 15%
Includes kinetic molecular theory of gases, gas laws, liquids, solids, phase changes, solutions, concentration units, solubility, conductivity, and colligative properties.

Reaction Types: 14%
Includes acids and bases, oxidation-reduction, and precipitation.

Descriptive Chemistry: 13%
Includes physical and chemical properties of elements and their more familiar compounds, chemical reactivity and products of chemical reactions, and simple examples from organic chemistry and environmental chemistry.

Stoichiometry: 12%
Includes the mole concept, Avogadro’s number, empirical and molecular formulas, percentage composition, stoichiometric calculations, and limiting reagents.

Equilibrium and Reaction Rates: 7%
Includes gas equilibria, ionic equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle, equilibrium expressions, and factors affecting rate of reaction.

Thermodynamics: 6%
Includes energy changes in chemical reactions and physical processes, as well as Hess’s law.

Laboratory: 8%
Includes equipment, measurement, procedures, observations, safety, calculations, and interpretation of laboratory and experimental results.

Format and Skills

The exam consists of three distinct types of questions: classification, relationship-analysis, and five-choice completion questions.  Each question is described as follows.

Classification Questions

Classification questions consist of five answer choices followed by a string of three to five questions; they are basically reverse multiple-choice questions.  Answer choices may be used once, more than once, or not at all—classification questions are not just simple matching questions!

Relationship-Analysis Questions

Relationship-analysis questions consist of a specific statement (Statement I), followed by another statement (Statement II). To answer these questions, one must determine first whether Statement I is true or false, and then whether Statement II is true or false. Next, one must determine whether the second statement is the reason why the first statement is true. There are about 16-17 of these kinds of questions.

This format of questioning is often foreign to many students and, therefore, may appear intimidating; however, a comprehensive knowledge of chemistry concepts, in addition to multiple practice problems, will enable every student to approach these challenges as confidently and successfully as any others.

Five-Choice Completion Questions

Five-choice completion questions are standard multiple-choice questions: they offer a query followed by five possible answer choices, of which students must identify and choose the best one.

According to the College Board, these questions test three types of skills:

1.   Recall of knowledge (fundamental concepts, terminology, specific information): these skills are tested in approximately 20% of the exam’s questions;
2.   Application of Knowledge (application of principles to practical situations): these skills are tested in approximately 45% of the exam’s questions; and
3.   Synthesis of Knowledge (inferring and deducing from qualitative and/or quantitative data; integrating two or more relationships to draw conclusions or solve problems): these skills are tested in approximately 35% of the exam’s questions.

Our Approach to Chemistry SAT Tutoring

For many students and parents, the SAT Subject Tests and their impact on college admissions can be intimidating and anxiety-inducing. At Med School Tutors, we understand the apprehension you are experiencing; we went through it ourselves. Fortunately, the SAT Subject Tests are teachable and, with proper preparation, offer students the unique opportunity to make a powerful impression on admissions committees.

Our Chemistry SAT Subject Test preparation program typically includes:

• An in-person consultation – this allows us to familiarize ourselves with you, your strengths and weaknesses, your learning habits, and your short- and long-term educational objectives.
  
  
• A real Chemistry SAT Subject diagnostic test – this offers us a highly useful indicator of your starting position and natural test-taking skills; it is also a useful benchmark for developing reasonable goals as well as a comprehensive strategy to dramatically improve your scores.
  
  
• Access to our exhaustive collection of Chemistry Subject Test materials, which provide comprehensive notes and problem sets for both versions of the test, including all relevant subject matter and strategies.
  
  
• A comprehensive review of all subject matter presented on the Chemistry SAT Subject Test such as stoichiometry, chemical reactions, thermodynamics, and equilibrium.
  
  
• Disciplined practice of all test-taking strategies and techniques necessary for conquering the entire spectrum of Chemistry SAT questions.
  
  
• Practice, practice, practice – we provide an abundant supply of real practice Chemistry SAT Subject Tests and exercises for students to hone their testing skills and strategies.
  
  
• In-depth review of each practice test allowing your tutor to re-evaluate regularly your test-taking abilities and thereby continually adapt to your progress.

Our approach emphasizes analytical, problem-solving, and test-taking strategies for each section of the test. Students will learn how to move through the test efficiently and confidently. 

Through a combination of frequent sessions, homework assignments, and regular practice tests, students will refine their test-taking skills and their command of test material.  Simultaneously, they will bolster their test-taking endurance and confidence so they may excel on test day.

Our Chemistry Tutors

Med School Tutors’ chemistry instructors are experts at the Chemistry SAT Subject Test and have graduated with degrees in chemistry from some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, such as Yale, NYU, Georgetown, and Columbia.  Currently, they are continuing their educations in chemistry at New York City’s finest M.D., Master’s, and Ph.D. programs.

Our Chemistry SAT Subject Test tutors have spent time reviewing, reevaluating, and, most importantly, teaching all of the material and strategies needed to master the test, and they are especially capable of explaining its unique style of questioning to students of any learning background.

Finally, our tutors are adept communicators capable of explaining the test in ways that will make sense to you. Indeed, your instructor is carefully selected to match your particular needs and temperament.  This ensures that he or she is able to inspire and motivate you with methods and explanations that “click” for you.

At Med School Tutors, our goal is to see you achieve superior results for both the short- and long-term. We envision securing your mastery over the Chemistry SAT Subject Test as a way to polish your analytical skills and improve your learning habits—laying an invaluable foundation for your future success.

Further Information

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