Q. Which SAT Subject Tests Should I Take?

A. Colleges that require applicants to take SAT Subject Tests (previously "SAT IIs" and before that "Achievement Tests") typically give the applicants some freedom to determine which tests they take. Math may be required, but students can otherwise choose from a long list of subjects.

The best way to pick Subject Tests is to determine in advance at which subjects you're likely to excel, and then focus on those Subject Tests. That may sound obvious, but the subjects that are most appealing to you, or even for which you've feel you're the most prepared, aren't necessarily the ones on which you'll be able to obtain the highest score. That's because the Subject Tests and your own high school coursework may not match up perfectly in all subject areas.

You can buy a book of real SAT Subject Tests, published by the College Board, at most bookstores. This book can help you decide which tests fit with your knowledge and what you learned in school. You may have loved your physics teacher, but if you didn't cover some key concepts in class you'll find out when reviewing these actual, previously-administered Subject Tests.

Lots of good information about choosing Subject Tests, including picking the right math exam and deciding whether to take a reading or listening version of a language test, is available at the College Board's website.

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