All high school hopefuls want to enhance their college applications as much as possible.

To give their resumes that added heft, many students continue to take SAT subject tests even though they are no longer mandatory to get in to a University of California school.

The SAT subject tests are hour-long exams that test students on a subject of their choice.

According to collegeboard.org, there are five categories that encompass all the different subjects of the 20 different subject tests: English, history, languages, mathematics, and science.

These tests are the only national admission tests in which students have the opportunity to choose the subject content of their exams.

Because subject tests are taken by choice, an applicant choosing to take a particular test provides a wider panoramic of academic groundings and passions.

Subject tests make an application more unique, which is a boon for applicants considering how many applications each college gets.

Beginning with the class of students entering college in the fall of 2012, the SAT subject tests were no longer required by the U.C. system. Former U.C. President Mark Yudof  called the tests “an unnecessary barrier” to access.  With the removal of the tests came the prediction that U.C. schools would have more cultural and income diversity.

“I would recommend taking the subject tests just to show proficiency,” said Cal High counselor Michelle Sampson.  “The tests should not affect U.C. eligibility, unless you are applying to a few certain programs, like engineering.”

Despite this, many students, such as junior Noa Udler, feel taking the SAT subject tests could increase their chances of getting into a U.C. school.

“I might take the subject test on Hebrew, since I already speak it,” said Udler, who hopes to attend U.C.L.A, major in psychology, and have a minor in performing arts.

French teacher Patricia Goldin’s kids took the subject tests almost a decade ago.  She still strongly recommends students to take them.

“I think it helps with college apps,” said Goldin.  “Both my kids took the French [subject test].”

Several of the U.C. schools  recommend but do not require taking subject tests in order to gain admission.  U.C. Berkeley, U.C. San Diego, U.C.L.A., and U.C. Irvine’s engineering programs recommend applicants to complete a Math Level 2 Subject Test and a science test.

While U.C. schools have changed their policies, many of the nation’s top schools, including all of the Ivy Leagues and other prestigious private schools, require two or more SAT subject tests.

Unlike U.C. schools, private schools might use subject test scores to determine an applicant’s eligibility, said Sampson.

Junior Joelle Victoriano, who wishes to pursue a career in the medical field, plans to apply to all of the Ivy League and some U.C. schools, as well as  Stanford.  She knows the tests are required for the private schools, but she is unsure of which ones to take.

Students typically choose a subject in which they excel to showcase their strengths and their preparedness in certain fields.

High subject test scores especially impress and brighten up an application when the subject of the test is related to the major the student will pursue in college.

In some colleges, if students score well on a subject test they could potentially satisfy basic requirements or obtain credit for introductory-level courses for many more demanding majors.

Skipping these classes could end up saving students a lot of time and money.

But some students choose not to take the subject tests.

Senior Max Bramer has sent in his applications to many select colleges, including  San Jose and San Francisco state universities, and Santa Clara University, a private school.

“I want to be a teacher,” said Bramer.  “I knew about the SAT subject tests, but I didn’t feel a need to take them.”

Still other students, such as junior Samantha Austin, do not even consider taking the SAT subject tests because they plan to go to a community college for a few years before transferring to a university.

Of 200 juniors and seniors who were polled, 47 percent (94 students)  choose to take one or more of the SAT subject tests.

Presently, the SAT is being reevaluated as part of the new common core standards.  All standardized tests, including the subject tests, could be changed in the near future in order to meet the common core standards.

“It is a huge undertaking,” said Sampson.  “A committee is reevaluating the SAT and researching to make the new SAT hold the same amount of information.”

Whether the SAT subject tests will also change remains unknown.

“We do not focus on the subject tests as much as we used to,” said Sampson.  “They aren’t required by the U.C.s.  They’ve become less important over the years.”