Physics
SAT Subject Test in Physics Practice
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Next Tests:
3/13
, 5/1
Introduction
The Physics Subject Test measures your ability to recall and understand the major concepts of physics, and your ability to apply physical principles to solve specific problems. The test also addresses your understanding of simple algebraic, trigonometric and graphical relationships, as well as the concepts of ratio and proportion, and how to apply all of these topics to physics problems. Finally, the Physics Subject Test assesses your familiarity with the metric system of units.
Test Basics
| Points | Minutes | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 200-800 | 60 | 75 |
Topics on the Test
| Material | Concept Application | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ≈36%-42% |
Mechanics |
≈20%-33% |
Recall |
| ≈18%-24% |
Electricity and magnetism |
≈40%-53% |
Single-concept problem |
| ≈15%-19% |
Waves |
≈20%-33% |
Multiple-concept problem |
| ≈6%-11% |
Heat, kinetic theory and thermodynamics |
||
| ≈6%-11% |
Modern physics |
||
| ≈4%-9% |
Miscellaneous (measurement, math skills, laboratory skills, history of physics, and questions of a general nature that overlap several major topics) |
||
- An ability to recall and understand the major concepts of physics and to apply physical principles to solve specific problems
- An understanding of simple algebraic, trigonometric, and graphical relationships, and the concepts of ratio and proportion, and how to apply these to physics problems
- Familiarity with the metric system of units
Note: Due to the differences in high school physics courses, it is likely that most students will find that some questions are on topics they are not familiar with.
- One-year introductory college preparatory course in physics
- Courses in algebra and trigonometry
- Experience in the laboratory
