SAT Subject Test Practice

Physics

RegisterNext Tests:10/11 , 11/8Introduction

Looking for a way to showcase your achievements in Physics? The Physics Subject Test assesses your understanding of concepts from one year of introductory physics on the college-preparatory level, as well as reasoning and problem-solving skills derived from lab experience. If youre thinking about pursuing a math- or science-based program of study (such as science, technology, engineering or math), taking the Physics Subject Test is a great way to demonstrate your talents interest on your college application.

Test Basics

Scoring, Timing, Number of Questions

PointsMinutesQuestions

2008006075

Multiple Choice

Important Notes

Offered in Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, May and June

Calculator usenotpermitted

Problem-solving requires simple numerical calculations

Measurements are expressed in the metric system

Getting Ready for the Test

CONTENTApproximate % of Test

Mechanics Kinematics, such as velocity, acceleration, motion in one dimension, and motion of projectiles

Dynamics, such as force, Newtons laws, statics, and friction

Energy and Momentum, such as potential and kinetic energy, work, power, impulse, and conservation laws

Circular Motion, such as uniform circular motion and centripetal force

Simple Harmonic Motion, such as mass on a spring and the pendulum

Gravity, such as the law of gravitation, orbits, and Keplers laws36%-42%

Electricity and magnetism Electric Fields, Forces, and Potentials, such as Coulombs law, induced charge, field and potential of groups of point charges, and charged particles in electric fields

Capacitance, such as parallel-plate capacitors and time-varying behavior in charging/ discharging

Circuit Elements and DC Circuits, such as resistors, light bulbs, series and parallel networks, Ohms law, and Joules law

Magnetism, such as permanent magnets, fields caused by currents, particles in magnetic fields, Faradays law, and Lenzs law18%24%

Waves and optics General Wave Properties, such as wave speed, frequency, wavelength, superposition, standing wave diffraction, and Doppler effect

Reflection and Refraction, such as Snells law and changes in wavelength and speed

Ray Optics, such as image formation using pinholes, mirrors, and lenses

Physical Optics, such as single-slit diffraction, double-slit interference, polarization, and color15%19%

Heat and thermodynamics Thermal Properties, such as temperature, heat transfer, specific and latent heats, and thermal expansion

Laws of Thermodynamics, such as first and second laws, internal energy, entropy, and heat engine efficiency6%11%

Modern physics Quantum Phenomena, such as photons and photoelectric effect

Atomic, such as the Rutherford and Bohr models, atomic energy levels, and atomic spectra

Nuclear and Particle Physics, such as radioactivity, nuclear reactions, and fundamental particles

Relativity, such as time dilation, length contraction, and mass-energy equivalence6%11%

Miscellaneous General, such as history of physics and general questions that overlap several major topics

Analytical Skills, such as graphical analysis, measurement, and math skills

Contemporary Physics, such as astrophysics, superconductivity, and chaos theory4%9%

See theGetting Ready for the SAT Subject Testsguide for more information on the topics.

Free Downloadable Practice ResourcesAdditional Things to Know

When answering questions, you should assume that the direction of any current is the direction of flow of positive charge (conventional current).

Please note that this test reflects what is commonly taught in high school. Due to differences in high school classes, its likely that most students will find questions on topics theyre not familiar with. This is nothing to worry about. You do not have to get every question correct to receive the highest score (800) for the test. Many students do well despite not having studied every topic covered.