THE SAT U.S. HISTORY TEST
All About the SAT U.S. History Test
What Is the Format of the SAT U.S. History Test?
The SAT U.S. History test is a 1-hour examination consisting of 90 to 95 multiple-choice questions. The questions deal with historical events, developments, trends, and concepts, as well as with social science concepts and methods as they are used in the study of history. According to the College Board, the test measures the following knowledge and skills:
- Familiarity with historical concepts, cause-and-effect relationships,geography, and other data necessary for understanding major historical developments
- Grasp of concepts essential to historical analysis
- Ability to use historical knowledge in interpreting data in maps, graphs, charts, and cartoons
The test covers U.S. history from pre-Columbian times to the present. It covers not just political history and foreign policy but also economic, social, intellectual, and cultural history. The following chart shows the general test subject areas, as well as the approximate portion of the test devoted to each subject.
SAT U.S. History Questions by Subject Area
| Subject Area | Approximate Percentage of Test |
|---|---|
| Political History | 32-36% |
| Economic History | 18-20% |
| Social History | 18-22% |
| Intellectual and Cultural History | 10-12% |
| Foreign Policy | 13-17% |
This next chart shows the breakdown of test questions by historical period.
SAT U.S. History Questions by Historical Period
| Historical Period | Approximate Percentage of Test |
|---|---|
| Pre-Columbia Era to 1789 | 20% |
| 1790 to 1898 | 40% |
| 1899 to the present | 40% |
What School Background Do I Need for the SAT U.S. History Test?
The College Board recommends that you have at least the following experience before taking the SAT U.S. History test:
- 1-year comprehensive course in U.S. history at the college preparatory level
- Social studies courses and outside reading
- Familiarity with "periodization," the trends within major historical periods
How Is the SAT U.S. History Test Scored?
On the SAT U.S. History test, your âraw scoreâ 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 you do not answer at all. Your raw score then is converted into a scaled score by a statistical method that takes into account how well you did compared with 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 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 test in this book are only samples that show you your approximate scaled score.
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