SAT Reasoning Test (now just the SAT):
* Focus: Measures critical reading, writing and language, and math skills developed throughout high school. It's a general aptitude test designed to assess college readiness.
* Content: Covers a broad range of topics within reading comprehension, grammar, writing, and algebra, geometry, and data analysis. No specialized subject knowledge is required.
* Scoring: Scored out of 1600 (800 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, 800 for Math).
* Purpose: Used by most colleges for admission decisions. It provides a standardized measure of academic preparedness across students from different high schools.
SAT Subject Tests (discontinued):
* Focus: Assessed knowledge in specific academic subjects. Each test focused deeply on a particular area like literature, history, math (level 1 and level 2), science, etc.
* Content: Covered material typically taught in high school courses in specific subjects.
* Scoring: Scored out of 800 for each test.
* Purpose: Used by *some* colleges (a decreasing number) to supplement the SAT or ACT scores, demonstrating proficiency in particular subjects. They were often required or recommended by programs in highly competitive fields like science and engineering.
Key Differences Summarized:
| Feature | SAT Reasoning Test (now just SAT) | SAT Subject Tests (discontinued) |
|-----------------|---------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| Type | General aptitude test | Subject-specific achievement tests |
| Focus | College readiness | Subject mastery |
| Content | Broad range of skills | Specific subject knowledge |
| Scoring | 1600 | 800 per test |
| Current Status | Still administered | Discontinued in 2021 |
In short: The SAT (Reasoning Test) is a general test of college readiness, while the now-discontinued SAT Subject Tests were more specialized assessments of knowledge in particular high school subjects. If you're preparing for college, you'll only be dealing with the SAT.