<p>I'm curious how much more difficult the SAT Subject Tests are compared to the ACT. It sounds as though the ACT may be harder. (More people seem to score perfect 800s on the SAT Subject tests than people with perfect 36s on the ACT) But then, this could be because the SAT subject tests are much more 'self selected'.</p>
<p>I scored a 34 on the ACT Science, but never took a science class since 7th grade. (Although since I enjoy it, I've read a decent amount about various topics on the internet..)</p>
<p>I'm finding now that about %80 of the colleges I was hoping to apply for require both the ACT <em>and</em> the SAT Subject tests. How academic-oriented are the SAT Subject tests - for instance, physics? Is a great deal of it more based on logical reasoning than actual learned subject material, or is it pretty much entirely learned subject material from high school?</p>
<p>But in general, a large portion of doing well in them is knowing the subject matter (for examlpe, you can't reason your way through Math II-C with a high score unless you have a decent grasp of the concepts tested). </p>
<p>And btw, more people claim 800s on subject tests because a more selective and generally higher-achieving bunch of people take them than the group that takes the ACT and the SAT, not because subject tests in general are easier.</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind that you might be very comfortable in one subject but weak in another, so the difficulties vary.</p>
<p>From what I read, it seemed that most of the colleges I was interested in wanted two SAT II subject tests: one Math subject test (IC or IIC) and one Science (Physics seemed to be the most in demand). I'm pretty strong in Math, so I would aim for that and probably also the Physics subject test also, since i'm most interested in it.</p>
<p>However, I don't know a great deal about physics.. i'm certain I haven't been exposed to the kinds of material a student taking an AP class in it would be. I know many of the basic concepts and ideas behind it, but i'm not sure how much on the SAT II Physics test would require advanced knowledge of the subject to score in the 700+ range.</p>
<p>Relax, if you have mastered tensor calculus then you'll have no problems with the Physics SAT II.</p>
<p>Seriously, though, the Physics test does focus heavily on concepts, and requires only simple algebraic mathematics (no calculator). I don't think it would hurt to have some advanced knowledge but if you have mastered the basics I don't think you'll have any trouble at all breaking 700.</p>