An academic subject test checks how well you know a university-level subject, such as calculus, algorithms or organic chemistry, using questions that apply concepts rather than recall definitions.

By What's Your IQ · Updated 4 Oct 2026

Fields: Computer science, maths, physics, chemistry, biology
Subjects: 29
Level: Pre-college to undergraduate
Best used for: Revision, placement and finding gaps before an exam

THE FIELD GUIDE

All 29 subjects, and what each one needs first

Computer science

From how a CPU schedules processes to how a model learns from data. Most CS subjects stack on discrete maths and data structures.

Computer ScienceTheory, complexity, architecture and OS basics.Builds on: Discrete Mathematics

Data StructuresArrays to graphs, heaps and tries.Builds on: Computer Science

AlgorithmsSorting, graphs, dynamic programming and greedy methods.Builds on: Data Structures, Discrete Mathematics

Operating SystemsProcesses, memory, file systems and deadlocks.Builds on: Computer Science

Database SystemsRelational model, normalisation and transactions.Builds on: Data Structures

Computer NetworksTCP/IP, routing, DNS and security.Builds on: Operating Systems

Software EngineeringLifecycle, patterns, testing and DevOps.Builds on: Data Structures

Artificial IntelligenceSearch, knowledge representation and planning.Builds on: Algorithms, Probability

Machine LearningSupervised, unsupervised and deep learning.Builds on: Linear Algebra, Statistics

CybersecurityCryptography, threats and secure coding.Builds on: Computer Networks

Mathematics

The foundation layer. Calculus and linear algebra underpin almost every science and engineering subject on this page.

CalculusLimits, derivatives, integrals and series.A foundation subject

Linear AlgebraMatrices, eigenvalues and vector spaces.A foundation subject

Differential EquationsODEs, PDEs and Laplace transforms.Builds on: Calculus

ProbabilityDistributions, expectation and variance.Builds on: Calculus

StatisticsInference, regression and ANOVA.Builds on: Probability

Discrete MathematicsLogic, combinatorics and graph theory.A foundation subject

Physics

From Newton's laws to the Schrödinger equation. Each step adds more maths: calculus first, then differential equations and linear algebra.

General PhysicsMechanics, waves, electricity and optics.Builds on: Calculus

Classical MechanicsNewton's laws, energy and rotation.Builds on: General Physics, Calculus

ThermodynamicsLaws, entropy and cycles.Builds on: General Physics

ElectromagnetismFields, Maxwell's equations and circuits.Builds on: Classical Mechanics, Differential Equations

Quantum PhysicsWave-particle duality and the Schrödinger equation.Builds on: Linear Algebra, Classical Mechanics

Chemistry

General chemistry first, then the three branches: organic (carbon), inorganic (metals and complexes) and physical (energy and rates).

General ChemistryAtoms, bonding, stoichiometry and reactions.A foundation subject

Organic ChemistryFunctional groups, mechanisms and synthesis.Builds on: General Chemistry

Inorganic ChemistryCoordination compounds and transition metals.Builds on: General Chemistry

Physical ChemistryThermodynamics, kinetics and quantum chemistry.Builds on: General Chemistry, Calculus

Biology

Molecular biology is the hub: genetics, biotechnology and bioengineering all build on how DNA is copied and expressed.

Molecular BiologyReplication, transcription and signalling.Builds on: General Chemistry

GeneticsInheritance, mutation and genomics.Builds on: Molecular Biology

BiotechnologyRecombinant DNA, PCR and bioprocessing.Builds on: Molecular Biology

BioengineeringBiomaterials, devices and biomechanics.Builds on: Biotechnology, Classical Mechanics

Revising with tests, explained

Subjects stack

Calculus→Differential equationsProbability→Statistics→ML

A weak score high up the stack often traces back to a gap lower down.

Testing beats rereading

61%recalled after a week, tested

40%recalled, re-studied

Roediger and Karpicke (2006): repeated testing far outlasted repeated study.

Space it out

1Test a subject today2Review your misses in a few days3Retest in a week or two

A meta-analysis of 317 experiments found spaced study beats cramming (Cepeda et al., 2006).

What doesn't work

HIGH UTILITYPractice testingSpaced practice

LOW UTILITYHighlightingRereading

Dunlosky et al.'s 2013 review rated ten common study techniques.

Roediger, H. L., & Karpicke, J. D. (2006). Test-enhanced learning: Taking memory tests improves long-term retention. Psychological Science, 17(3), 249–255.
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354–380.
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4–58.

Where to go next

Studying for a technical degree or role.

01Programming tests

02Numerical reasoning

03Memory Techniques book

Or browse all 156 tests →

You know the subjects. How do you reason with them?

KNOWLEDGEWhat you've learnedFacts, methods and formulas. Measured by the 29 subject tests above.CaAlQpOcGe

REASONINGHow you use itLogic, patterns, space and memory, on the standard IQ scale with four subscores.Take the IQ test