The College Board offers 20 SAT subject tests. Of those, the U.S. history exam is one of the most popular. Not only is this subject covered in virtually all American high schools, but success on this SAT subject test can lead to valuable college credit.
Since so many students take the SAT U.S. history exam, a bit more work is required to stand out among your peers. Here are three strategies to help you succeed in this endeavor.
[Ask three questions to decide between AP exams, SAT subject tests]
1. Decide which content areas require the most concerted review: Before you begin to memorize key historical documents, first assess your foundation in the subject by completing a practice test. Recognizing what you do not know is one of the best ways to start planning your study regimen.
Next, review the official exam instructions and determine how much time you will have per question. Hint: The U.S. history exam has 90 multiple-choice items and is one hour long. Set a timer and then begin the practice test.
Your goal is to replicate the test-day environment as closely as possible. The College Board offers a selection of practice questions online, but there is no substitute for a full-length exam. Limit distractions, adhere to time limits and complete the test in one sitting.
Then use your exam results to refine your review plan. If you realize that you are consistently challenged by questions that focus on certain eras, for instance, then focus your studies on those key time periods.
[Know three things about SAT subject tests before you study.]
2. Revisit course materials and notes: W ith the knowledge you have gleaned from the practice test, revisit your U.S. history class notes.
As you review the practice exam, note capitalized words and vocabulary terms, as well as clear references to any big ideas that span eras. You won’t encounter even a fraction of the possible buzzwords in a single test, but this exercise will teach you to watch for certain concepts or words as you study.
Ensure you can define these key terms. Create flash cards, but do not simply flip the flash cards over to read the definitions — write each definition by hand. Research suggests that writing — by hand — may help you better understand information.
The SAT U.S. history subject test also includes quotations from influential thinkers. Write down the key figures in each era, and assemble a library of sayings.
[Learn the three questions to ask before taking SAT subject tests.]
However, do not memorize the quotations. Instead, learn to recognize patterns. Certain speakers are especially eloquent — such as Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. Others, like Mark Twain, are often humorous, and some are dry and wordy.
Practice q uestion 7 on page 9 is a great example. You may not know the quotations directly, but you could likely match quotation II to a more recent speaker by considering the word choices.
Between Dr. King and Malcolm X, you may infer that Malcolm X is more likely associated with such directly confrontational language. With that one observation, your answer choices are narrowed to B and E.
3. Familiarize yourself with exam graphics: Pay close attention to any graphics — such as cartoons or maps — as you review practice questions. Graphics often contain extra information that can help you in less obvious ways.
For example, in practice question 13 on page 10, you are referred to a map that includes a shaded region labeled Crux of Dispute. You are then asked under which presidency this conflict was resolved.
You may be so lucky as to immediately associate James K. Polk with the answer. If not, other clues in the map may help: The U.S. extends at least to the Rocky Mountains; Mexico still has possession of California; and the map shows the latitude line of 54 degrees, 40 minutes far to the north.
If you know which presidents served in which era, you will be able to narrow the possibilities dramatically. The latitude line of 54 degrees, 40 minutes should also remind you of the slogan, “Fifty-four forty or fight!,” which was Polk’s campaign slogan.
Practice question 15 on page 10 refers to an image of a famous poster. You are told that it is from the 1940s, and you are asked what the poster refers to.
Even if you do not know the answer directly, you can tell from the woman’s outfit and the time frame that this poster likely refers to women, work and World War II. Only answer choice A addresses all of these points.
The SAT U.S. history subject test can be an excellent boost to your college application. Learn the exam, practice with real tests and pay close attention to clues in images and you will be well on your way to success.
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3 Preparation Strategies for the SAT U.S. History Subject Test originally appeared on usnews.com
