Why did the US advocate the Open Door policy in 1899?
If you’re thinking, “What was the Open Door policy?” you’re probably not quite ready to take the US History SAT Subject Test! That’s OK – with focused study you’ll know the Open Door policy and a lot more besides.
The US History SAT Subject Test contains 90 questions measuring your knowledge of American chronology, society, politics and geography. As with the other SAT subject tests, you’ll have one hour to complete the exam.
If mastering American timelines sounds more tranquilizing than enlivening, take comfort in the fact that the US History SAT Subject Test rarely requires the recollection of specific dates or statistics. Instead, questions assess general comprehension. A broad overview of American history with emphasis on the following skills is critical:
Most questions concern some aspect of American politics, economics or society. It’s better to know a little about each historical period (from pre-Columbian to present day) than a lot about only a few.
If your knowledge of history spans the globe, you may also want to consider taking the World History SAT Subject Test.
Students who take the US History SAT Subject Test receive a score between 200 and 800. In 2011, the average (mean) score was 608. Be aware: the SAT does not penalize blank answers, so strategize accordingly. If you don’t know a question, it may be smarter to skip it.
Knowing how to prepare for the SAT is your first step toward a high score. When it comes to the US History subject test, it’s wise to keep an open door – and an open mind – study policy.