SAT Subject Test Practice

Physics
RegisterNext Tests:
10/11 , 11/8

Introduction
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
Points

Minutes

Questions

200800

60

75
Multiple Choice

Important Notes

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

Calculator use not permitted
Problem-solving requires simple numerical calculations
Measurements are expressed in the metric system

Getting Ready for the Test

CONTENT

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
laws

Approximate % of Test

36%-42%

CONTENT

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 timevarying 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 law

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 color

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 efficiency

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 massenergy equivalence

Miscellaneous

Approximate % of Test

18%24%

15%19%

6%11%

6%11%

4%9%

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 theory
See the Getting Ready for the SAT Subject Tests guide for more information on the topics.
Free Downloadable Practice Resources

Additional 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.