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SAT Overview
What is SAT?
The Scholastic Assessment Test or SAT is a standardized test used by undergraduate schools (schools which offer undergraduate courses or bachelors degrees like BA, BS etc) or colleges in US for the purpose of admission in different under graduate courses. There are two types of SAT test: SAT Reasoning Test (formerly known as SAT I) and one is SAT Subject Test (formerly known as SAT II). SAT Test is delivered in English.
Who administer SAT?
SAT is developed and administered by the US-based College Entrance Examination Board. College Board sets the questions, conducts the test and sends the score report of the examinees. USEFI (United States Educational Foundation in India) has appointed SAT Representatives in India which administers the test at 7 centers in the country.
Who takes it and why?
Applicants who want to join a under graduate school (school which offers bachelors degrees or undergraduate courses) or college in US for the purpose of admission in any under graduate course take this test. A candidate may take either SAT Reasoning Test or up to three SAT Subject Tests or both on the given test date depending upon the courses and the Institute or college requirements. Some colleges specify the Subject Tests they require for admission or placement; others allow applicants to choose which tests to take.
What it measures and doesn’t measure?
SAT Reasoning Test measures the critical thinking, analytical and problem solving skills of an aspirant. The SAT Subject Tests measure the applicant’s knowledge and skills in particular subject areas like English, mathematics, science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), history and social studies and languages (like Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, Spanish, German etc with listening skills).
Subject tests are independent of any particular textbook or method of instruction. These tests are designed to test the ability of an applicant to apply the knowledge that he / she has acquired during school education (high school or equivalent of US education etc. / 12 years of schooling from any Indian recognized board / University).
What is the eligibility for writing SAT?
Any high school junior or senior or an Indian student who has completed his/her 12 years of schooling from any recognized Indian board or university can take SAT Reasoning Test or SAT Subject Tests or both. There is no criteria of minimum marks for appearing in any SAT test whether Reasoning Test or any Subject Test. The SAT scores are valid for five years, i.e., most universities/ colleges accept scores up to five years old. But it is always better if scores are not older than 2 years. More>>
When and where you can write this test?
SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Test are conducted by College Board seven times a year (October, November, December, January, April, May and June) in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories and six times a year at all other locations including India. In India SAT is not offered in April. You can write SAT Reasoning Test or SAT Subject Tests or both up to seven times in a year if you live in the US, Puerto Rico or in any US Territory. For all other locations including India, you can take the test up to six times in a year whether it is SAT Reasoning Test or Subject Tests or both. In India we have SAT testing centers at: Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. More>>
Who Accepts SAT Scores?
Almost all US colleges or universities which offer bachelors degrees or undergraduate courses accept SAT scores.
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SAT Test Information
SAT Reasoning Test
This test has three sections:
* Critical Reading Section (formerly known as Verbal Section)
This Section Consist of short and long reading passages, sentence-completion questions and passage-based reading questions. Analogies have been eliminated. Sentence Completion questions measure your knowledge of the meanings of words and your ability to understand how the different parts of a sentence fit logically together. Passage Based Reading questions
measure your ability to read and think carefully about several different passages which are taken from a variety of fields, like the humanities, social studies, natural sciences, and literary fiction.
* Mathematics Section
This section consists of multiple choice questions and student produced response questions. Student produced response questions have no answer choices provided. Instead, you must solve the problem and fill in your answer on a special grid. These questions are on mathematics topics like exponential growth, absolute value, functional notation, linear functions, manipulations with exponents, and properties of tangent lines. Important skills such as estimation and number sense are measured through the mathematics section.
Note: Although every question in Mathematics Section can be solved without calculator. The College Board recommends the use of four-function, scientific or graphing calculator.
* Writing Section
This section consist of multiple- choice questions and a short essay. The multiple-choice writing questions measure your ability to: improve sentences and paragraphs, identify errors (such as diction, grammar, sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, proper word usage, and wordiness). The short essay measures your ability to: organize and express ideas clearly, develop and support the main idea and use appropriate word choice and sentence structure. An essay is scored from 1 to 6 (6 is the highest score) based on its overall quality and your demonstration of writing competence.
SAT Reasoning Test Format
Section Content Item Type Scores
Critical Reading
70 min. (two 25-min. sections and one 20-min. section) Critical reading and sentence-level reading Reading comprehension, sentence completions, and paragraph-length critical reading 200-800
Mathematics
70 min. (two 25-min. sections and one 20-min. section) Number and operations; algebra and functions; geometry; statistics, probability, and data analysis Five-choice multiple-choice questions and student-produced responses 200-800
Writing
one section of 60 min Grammar, usage, and word choice Multiple choice questions (35 min.) and student-written essay (25 min.) 200-800
**Variable or equating (25 minutes un scored section)
Top
[** Variable or equating section is an un scored section which may be either a critical reading, mathematics, or writing multiple-choice section. This un scored section does not count toward the final score, but is used to try out new questions for future editions of the SAT and to ensure that scores on new editions of the SAT are comparable to scores on earlier editions of the test.]
SAT Subject Tests
The five subject tests are described below:
1. English (Literature)
This Subject Test measures how well you have learned to read and understand literature. There are six to eight sets of questions on the test, each based on a different literary text. The examination usually contains about 60 multiple-choice questions. The duration of the test is one hour. The best way to prepare for this test is through close critical reading of English and American literature from a variety of historical periods and in a variety of genres.
2. History and Social Studies (US History and World History Subject Tests)
US History Subject Test measures your knowledge of and ability to use material commonly taught in US History and Social Studies Courses in high school. Whereas World History Subject Test measures your knowledge of and ability to use material commonly taught in World History and Social Studies Courses in high school. The best way to prepare for US History Subject test is through close reading of courses in United States History that focus on pre-Columbian times to the present. The best way to prepare for World History Subject Test is through close reading of courses in World History that focus on world cultures and area studies.
3. Mathematics (Level I and Level II Subject Tests)
Mathematics Level I Subject Test is for those students who have taken three years of college-preparatory mathematics, including two years of algebra and one year of geometry. Mathematics Level II Subject Test is for those students who have taken college-preparatory mathematics for more than three years, including two years of algebra, one year of geometry, and elementary functions (pre calculus) and/or trigonometry.
Note: The College Board recommends the use of graphing calculator for mathematics Test.
4. Science (Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics)
Biology E/M Subject Test measures your understanding of general biology at the college preparatory level .The biology E test is for those applicants who feel more comfortable answering questions pertaining to biological communities, populations, and energy flow. The Biology M test is for those applicants who feel more comfortable answering questions pertaining to biochemistry, cellular structure and processes, such as respiration and photosynthesis. You can take either test on the test day. Calculators are not allowed in this test. The chemistry and Physics Subject tests measures your understanding of general chemistry and Physics at the college preparatory level.
5. Languages Subject Test
Languages Subject Tests measure your ability to understand Written or spoken languages or both. The Subject Tests in Languages with Listening (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish) consist of a listening section and a reading section. Students taking these tests are required to bring an acceptable CD player with earphones to the test center. All listening tests are offered during the November month of SAT admission at designated test centers. Other Subject tests in languages like Modern Hebrew, Italian and Latin consist of only a reading section.
Note: All Subject Tests are one-hour, multiple-choice tests.
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SAT Test Preparation
How to prepare for SAT?
You should begin preparing for the SAT one to three months before test day. You may need more time (two to five months) if you have been out of school for some time and need to brush up on material. As soon as your junior or senior high school or 10+2 gets completed, take the subject tests of SAT. This is because, at that time, the subject content will be very fresh in your mind. To prepare for SAT there are three main options:
* SAT classroom courses
It is the most expensive but very effective way of preparing for SAT. Through Class room courses you will get detailed face to face explanation and interaction on relevant topics. You can give several Mock GRE Tests. You can participate in group discussions and get training for interviews. The preparatory books and study material that you will get along with your class room coaching is simply indispensable.
* Online courses.
Many websites provide preparation material for SAT. The best among them is the SAT preparation Center of College Board where you can get tons of official SAT practice questions both for SAT reasoning and SAT Subject Tests.
College Board SAT Preparation Center for SAT Reasoning Test.
Subject Test Preparation Center for various SAT Subject Tests
* Self Study
The best way to answer this would be to understand ones self despondency and ability to manage a tight preparation schedule. If someone can do this on his/ her own then self preparation is good enough.
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SAT Registration Details, Test Fees
Select a Test Center
Select a test center location which is nearest to you. Most of the test centers are at the permanent locations. Some test centers are temporary and offer SAT exams only on a very limited schedule
* SAT Test Centers in India
* To locate a Test Center at any location worldwide except India Click here
Registration for the SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. So you should register early to get your preferred test date, and to receive your test preparation material in time to prepare for the test.
You can register for the SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests either through online or by mail. Click here to register online. You need a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) to register online. However there is no compulsion that the credit card should be owned by the applicant for paying the SAT Fees.
Note: You can also register for SAT test through SAT representatives in India.
Test Takers with Disabilities
If you have a documented disability and require special accommodations, then you must complete Student Eligibility Form and send it along with your disability documentation to the College Board for review and determination. The disability documentation must adhere to the Guidelines for Documentation as specified by the College Board. To know more about the special accommodation on College Board Test for Test Takers with disabilities, click here.
Note: The College Board recommends that you apply for your accommodations before you submit your registration. Once you have received your Eligibility Approval Letter stating your accommodations, then you should submit your registration.
Test Fee
* SAT Reasoning Test: US $ 41.5 in US, US territories and Puerto Rico.US $ 63.5 at all other locations including India.
* SAT Subject Tests: For SAT Subject Tests there is a basic registration fees of US $ 18, US $ 8 per subject test and US $ 19 per language test with listening. This fees is applicable world wide.
Note: If you are going to take SAT test in India or Pakistan, then you will also have to pay a security surcharge of US $ 21.50
Rescheduling Fee: If you want to reschedule the date, time, or location of the SAT Test then you must complete a worksheet in the SAT bulletin and contact customer service by the Wednesday 2 1/2 weeks before the test date to reschedule. You will have to pay a rescheduling fee of $20.50. In certain countries you may have to incur taxes if you reschedule your exam.
Cancellation Refund: Most SAT-related fees including Test fees, Registration fees, late fees, telephone re-registration fees are transferable but not refundable even if you cancel your test scores or are absent on test day. The only refundable fees are for: services you ordered on your registration form for a test date that you later missed and additional score reports that you ordered on your registration form for a test date that you later missed.
Modes of Payment: Your payment must be made in US dollars if you write a check and it should be drawn on banks located in the United States. You can also pay through: Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), Debit card (Visa or MasterCard), Cashier’s check, US postal Money order, International Money Order, Personal check, UNESCO coupons. All payments must be made in full. Postdated checks are not accepted. If payment is not submitted in U.S. dollars, or otherwise does not comply with the specified requirements or other standard banking practices, then your registration or request for exam will not be processed and your payment will be rejected and/or returned.
================================================================================ SAT Scores
A SAT score is considered to be a good predictor of how you will perform in an under graduate school or college and is used to distinguish you from your fellow applicants. In fact, at many schools, the SAT is the main factor that determines not only your acceptance, but also what merit-based grants, fellowships, assistantships, and financial aid you may be eligible to receive.
SAT Reasoning Test Scores
You will see four types of scores on your SAT Score report:
The SAT Reasoning Test consists of four different scores:
* Critical Reading score (200-800)
* Mathematics score (200-800)
* Writing score (200-800)
* Total score (400-1600)
You will also get a score on a scale of 2 to 12 for your short essay, and a score on a scale of 20 to 80 for the multiple-choice questions in the writing sections.
SAT Subject Test Score
SAT subject Test Scores are reported on a scale from 200 to 800, with Subject Test sub scores being reported on a scale from 20 to 80. Reading and listening sub scores are reported for all Language Tests with Listening, and a usage sub score is also reported for the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean tests.
Note: Score reports include all your SAT scores from tests taken in the last five (5) years.
Percentile Rank
For each of your scores (Critical Reading, Mathematics, Writing and Total) on the SAT Reasoning test you will receive a percentile rank. Each rank indicates the percentage of examinees that scored below you based on the scores of the entire SAT testing population for the most recent three-year period. Your percentile rank may change from year to year. However, your scaled score never changes.
When SAT Scores are available
SAT scores are available on the internet approximately three weeks after the exam, and are sent home by mail a month after the SAT testing date.
Who Accepts SAT Scores
Almost all US colleges or universities which offer bachelors degrees or undergraduate courses accept SAT scores.
How under graduate Schools or colleges use your Score
Each under graduate school or college evaluates the scores in its own way; there are no “passing” or “failing” SAT scores. If you have questions about how individual schools or colleges use your SAT scores, please contact the schools/ colleges directly.
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Eligibility for Writing SAT Exams
Anyone and everyone is eligible for taking the SAT Test - there are no restrictions based on age or qualifications. The test scores are valid for five years, i.e., most universities accept scores up to five years old. But it is always better if scores are not older than 2 years.
Factors involved in admission to under graduate schools or Colleges in US
* Good SAT Score (1400 or more)
* Participation in extra curriculum activities.
* Recommendation Letter
* Personal Statements (Application essays)
* Evidence of creative talent (e.g., samples of evidence of previous work related to the discipline).
* Academic Performance in junior high or senior high or 10+2 in case of Indian students.
Factors involved in admission to Top under graduate Schools or colleges in US
There is no guarantee that you will get admission in top under graduate schools or colleges in US despite getting a very high score in SAT. Admission committees look for those applicants who will become an excellent under graduate student. One who is gifted, eager to learn, responsible and easy to work with, hard worker and highly motivated. He or she can work independently and take direction, supervision, and constructive criticism without becoming upset or overly sensitive.
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SAT Frequently Asked Questions
What is SAT-I and SAT-II?
SAT reasoning test was formerly known as SAT-I. SAT Subject Test was formerly known as SAT-II.
Which textbooks i should follow to prepare for Science subject test?
Subject tests are independent of any particular textbook or method of instruction. Science subject test is designed to test the ability of an applicant to apply the science knowledge that he / she has acquired during high school/12.
Can i get admission in a top undergraduate school in US if i achieve a very high score in SAT say 1500?
There is no guarantee that you will get admission. Admission committees look for those applicants who are gifted, eager to learn, responsible, easy to work with, hard worker and highly motivated.
Which SAT Score is considered as a Good Score?
A score of 1400 or above.
What is the fees for the SAT reasoning test in India?
US $ 63.5
