THE SAT CHEMISTRY TEST
All About the SAT Chemistry Test
What Is the Format of the SAT Chemistry Test?
The SAT Chemistry test is a 1-hour exam consisting of 85 multiple-choice questions. According to the College Board, the test measures the following knowledge and skills:
- Familiarity with major chemistry concepts and ability to use those concepts to solve problems
- Ability to understand and interpret data from observation and experiments and to draw conclusions based on experiment results
- Knowledge of laboratory procedures and of metric units of measure
- Ability to use simple algebra to solve word problems
- Ability to solve problems involving ratio and direct and inverse proportions, exponents, and scientific notation
The test covers a variety of chemistry topics. The following chart shows the general test subject areas, as well as the approximate portion of the test devoted to each subject.
SAT Chemistry Subject Areas
| Subject Area | Approximate Percentage of Exam |
|---|---|
| 1. Structure of Matter | 25% |
| 2. States of Matter | 15% |
| 3. Reaction Types | 14% |
| 4. Stoichiometry | 12% |
| 5. Equilibrium and Reaction Rates | 7% |
| 6. Thermodynamics | 6% |
| 7. Descriptive Chemistry | 13% |
| 8. Laboratory | 8% |
When you take the SAT Chemistry test, you will be given a test booklet that includes a periodic table of the elements. The table will show only the element symbols, atomic numbers, and atomic masses. It will not show electron configurations or oxidation numbers. You may not use your own reference tables or a calculator.
What School Background Do I Need for the SAT Chemistry Test?
The College Board recommends that you have at least the following experience before taking the SAT Chemistry test:
- One-year chemistry course at the college preparatory level
- One-year algebra course
- Experience in the chemistry laboratory
How Is the SAT Chemistry Test Scored?
On the SAT Chemistry test, your "raw score" is calculated as follows: You receive one point for each question you answer correctly, but you lose onequarter of a point for each question you answer incorrectly. You do not gain or lose any points for questions that you do not answer at all. Your raw score is then converted into a scaled score by a statistical method that takes into account how well you did compared to others who took the same test. Scaled scores range from 200 to 800 points. Your scaled score will be reported to you, to your high school, and to the colleges and universities that you designate to receive it.
Scoring scales differ slightly from one version of the test to the next. The scoring scales provided after each practice Chemistry test in this book are only samples that will show you your approximate scaled score.
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