What Is The SAT?
The SAT is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is administered by the College Board.
One explicitly stated purpose of the SAT is to predict how students will perform academically as college freshmen. But, the more practical purpose of the SAT is to help college admissions officers make acceptance decisions, because it provides a single, standardized means of comparison. Other factors considered by the college are your academic record, your involvement in school activities, your application essay, and your letters of recommendation.
What Is New About The New SAT?
The College Board administered the new SAT for the first time in March 2005. The changes are:
Mathematics Section: The content is expanded to reflect the mathematics that college-bound students typically learn during their first three years of high school.
Elimination of quantitative comparison questions.
Critical Reading Section: Formerly called the verbal section
Elimination of analogies
Addition of paragraph and paired-paragraph reading items
Writing Section: A new section consisting of multiple-choice questions and a student-produced essay.
Multiple-choice questions to assess understanding of how to use language in a clear, consistent manner and how to improve a piece of writing through revision and editing.
The student-produced essay assesses a student’s ability to develop and express ideas effectively.
What Types Of Questions Will The SAT Have?
Most of the questions on the SAT are multiple-choice; all multiple-choice questions have five answer choices, exactly one of which is correct. The questions of each section are generally ordered by difficulty. However, questions that follow the long and short reading passages are organized chronologically, rather than by difficulty.
Ten of the questions in one of the math sub-sections are not multiple choice but are grid-in answers. In the writing section, you would need to write an essay.
How Long Will The SAT Take?
The test contains 3 hours and 45 minutes of actual timed sections. However, administrations, including orientation, distribution of materials, etc would mean that the total test may take about 5 hours.
How Many Times Should I Take The SAT?
Take note that every single score you earn is part of your permanent transcript, and the colleges see them all. Therefore, it may not be a good thing for you to take the test as many times as you can. You should only take the test when you believe you are truly prepared.
According to College Board, one out of every two high-school students taking the SAT takes it at least twice.You can take the test two or three times, as long as you are confident that your scores will be considerably increased each time.
How Would My Essay Be Graded?
No particular essay structure is required, and the College Board accepts examples "taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations."
Two examiners will assign each essay a score between 1 and 6, where a score of 0 is reserved for essays that are blank, off-topic, or considered illegible after several attempts at reading. The scores are summed to produce a final score from 2 to 12 (or 0). If the examiners' ratings disagree by more than one point, a third examiner will evaluate the essay and resolve the discrepancy.
What Does The SAT Score Report Look Like?
Your SAT scores will be given in a table as shown:
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SAT Resaoning Test |
Score |
Score Range |
Percentiles College-bound Seniors |
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National |
State |
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Writing |
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Critical Reading |
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Math |
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Your score report will include:
A scale score of 200 to 800 on each of the section (Math, Critical Reading and Writing).
A score range which is an estimate of how your scores might vary if you were tested many times.
The percentile score compares your score to those scores of other students who took the test. The comparison is given as a number between 1 and 99 and tells what percentage of students earned a score lower than you. Suppose your percentile is 62. This means that you performed better that 62 out of every 100 test takers in the comparison group.The national percentile is based on all recently graduated college-bound seniors from across the nation who took the test. The state percentile is based on all recently graduated college-bound seniors from your state who took the test.
The Score Report will also show the number of questions you answered correctly, wrongly or omitted and your raw score.
In addition, you will receive College profiles of up to four colleges or universites to which you asked that your scores be sent. Each profile tells you about the school – high school preparation requirements, freshman admission policies, and cost and financial aid information.
Can I Find Out More Detailed Information About My Results?
All students have access to a free, more detailed online score report on collegeboard.com. With the online report, each student can access a copy of their essay.
For certain test dates, the Question-and-Answer Service (QAS) is available for a fee. You can see the actual questions and correct answers, as well as whether you answered correctly, incorrectly, or omitted the question. QAS includes information on question types and levels of difficulty. You will have access to a copy of your essay via your free online score report.
For all other test dates, Student Answer Service (SAS) is available. SAS does not provide the actual questions, but it does send you a list of question types and difficulty levels, along with a description of how you answered the questions. Again, you will have access to a copy of your essay via your online score report.
Check the test calendar to determine whether your test date is eligible for QAS or SAS.
What Is A Good SAT Score?
While many students and parents ask that question, there really isn't an answer. A good score on the SAT is different for each student, and depends on where you want to go to college.
Here are some rough, unofficial estimates of the average SAT score at various schools. The average isn't necessarily the score you need to get into a college (there are plenty of other factors involved for example your High School Record, interviews, activities, accomplishments, essays and recommendations). However, it's a good estimated figure if you're trying to decide whether your SAT score is good enough.
|
University |
Unofficial Estimates |
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Harvard |
2200 |
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Williams |
2125 |
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University of Virginia |
2000 |
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UCLA |
1900 |
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Iowa State |
1825 |
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Ohio State |
1800 |
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DePaul |
1750 |
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Arizona |
1700 |
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Indiana University |
1650 |
The College Handbook by College Board provides information about SAT scores of enrolled freshmen at each college. You would be able to check, more accurately, if your scores and high school scores are in line with the scores and grade point averages at a campus you are interested in.
When Will I Receive My SAT Scores?
You will receive your online score report approximately 19 days after administration of the test. The mailed, paper scores will take about 6 weeks to arrive.
Will Colleges See All My SAT Scores?
Yes - there's no way around it. Colleges will see all of your SAT scores. Fortunately, they tend to only look at the best score. But admissions counselors often say that they don't like to see more than 3 SAT scores, so try to take the test less than 3 times.
What is the PSAT/ NMSQT?
PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It is a co-sponsored program by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).
It is a standardized test that provides practice for the SAT. It also gives you a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.
The PSAT/NMSQT measures:
- critical reading skills
- math problem-solving skills
- writing skills
What is on the PSAT?
The PSAT/NMSQT has five sections: Two critical reading sections, two math sections and one writing skills section
The whole test requires two hours and 10 minutes.
Critical Reading Section
- Two 25-minute critical reading sections with a total of 48 questions
- 13 Sentence completions
- 35 Critical reading questions
Math Section
- Two 25-minute math sections with a total of 38 questions
- 28 multiple-choice math questions
- 10 Student-produced responses or grid-ins
- You will be tested in these 4 categories:
- Numbers and Operation
- Algebra and Functions (but not 3rd year level math that may appear on the new SAT)
- Geometry and Measurement
- Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability
- You are allowed to use a calculator.
Writing Skills Section
- One 30-minute writing section with a total of 39 questions
- 14 Identifying sentence errors
- 20 Improving sentences
- 5 Improving paragraph questions
These multiple-choice questions will test your ability to express ideas effectively in standard-written English, to recognize faults in usage and structure, and to use language with sensitivity to meaning. (Note that essay writing is not included)
Do I need to write an essay in the PSAT?
No. Unlike the SAT, the PSAT does not have an essay writing section.
However, if you happen to be semifinalist for the National Merit Scholarship then you would need to write an essay (among other things) to qualify as a finalist.
Extracted from nationalmerit.org.
"How does a Semifinalist become a Finalist?
Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements, which are provided in materials they receive with their scholarship application and are also listed in the PSAT/NMSQT ® Official Student Guide. These include completing an application, having a consistently very high academic record, writing an essay, being endorsed and recommended by a school official, and taking the SAT ® and earning a score that confirms the PSAT/NMSQT performance."
What is score verification?
If you are concerned that your score has not been accurately reported as a result of a scanning or processing error, you can request a score verification. You may request to have your multiple-choice scores and/or essay score verified up to five months after the test date. There is a fee for having your score verified, but this fee will be waived if we determine that your score has been incorrectly reported.
We also offer two student answer verification services (for the SAT only), Question-and-Answer Service and Student Answer Service, to help give students comfort that their exam has been scored accurately.
I rush reported my scores but the college hasn't received the report. What happened?
When the scores are received depends on some additional factors. Colleges may have their own individual time frames for accessing your score from us. If you mailed your rush request to us, it may have taken several extra days for us to receive and start processing. Also, remember, we can only rush report scores that have been released, so if your scores aren’t yet available, they wouldn’t have been sent.
How do I find out about scholarships?
To find out more about scholarships, their availability and requirements, visit www.fastweb.com, you can also visit www.finaid.com for information on financial aid. You should also ask the companies that your parents are employed at for any scholarship opportunities.
Does having a summer job help or hurt me?
Summer jobs are a great way to earn some money, and they also provide an excellent opportunity to gain experience. Work experience demonstrates your abilities such as time management, responsibility level, character and leadership potential. Work experience can be anything from paid or volunteer work, after-school or summer program participation, to internships. You should inquire with your parent's employers for any internships or summer job opportunities. Internships, whether paid or not, give you a first-hand look at specific careers as a way to identify career interests. In whatever programs you participate in, whether in a job, an internship, or helping out at home, your experience is an important way to demonstrate key qualities. The participation in the various activities may even help you find a topic for your college essays. Whatever qualities that you develop by this experience will help you build your resume and enhance your college applications. The summer before your 12th grade is the best time for summer employment, which is why we recommend Test Masters after 10th grade, if possible. You may want to start looking for a summer job in the spring of your 11th grade, which is when most employers start hiring for the summer. Remember, the quality of your experience is much more important than the number of dollars you can earn at any job!
Should I go to a public or private college?
State and community colleges, also known as public colleges, are generally less expensive than private colleges. Public colleges receive funding from their respective states in order to make the cost of education affordable to the greatest number of people. Most states offer in-state residents a significantly lower tuition price. At community colleges, your tuition rate is based on your district. If you live within a particular community-college district, you can take courses for a lower price than students who live outside of the district.
Private colleges, on the other hand, do not receive the same type of funding, so they rely more heavily on tuition, endowments and other private sources of revenue. Private colleges are usually more expensive than public colleges, but may offer smaller class sizes, or additional scholarships and grants that are not available at public schools.
Your decision on which school to attend or even to narrow down your search generally depend on the following two criteria: Money (scholarships and financial aid) and your choice of major(s). If you know your major then you should apply to the best school for that major that you can get into. If you are unsure of your major, then you should apply to a very well-rounded school, where you can explore the different career options and field of studies. Only you can decide which institutions are right for you, based on your specifications and the programs that you are interested in. Remember to do as much research as possible to make a well informed choice.
What Is The Difference Between the Subject Tests and the SAT?
The SAT is intended to measure how well you analyze and solve problems. It covers basic math, vocabulary, and some general reading ability. SAT scores are used for college admission purposes.
The Subject Tests (formerly called the SAT II: Subject Tests) are a collection of tests designed to measure your knowledge and skills in particular subject areas. The Tests fall into 5 general subject areas: English, History and Social Studies, Mathematics, Science and Languages. Many colleges use the Subject Tests for admission, for course placement, and to advise students about course selection.
Each Subject Test is an hour long and you can take anywhere from one to three in one day.
Do I need to take the Subject Tests?
Students take the Subject Tests to demonstrate to colleges their mastery of specific subjects like English, history, mathematics, science, and language.
Used in combination with other background information (your high school record, scores from other tests like the SAT, teacher recommendations, etc.), they provide a measure of your academic achievement.
Some colleges specify the Subject Tests they require for admission or placement; others allow applicants to choose which tests to take.
However, the majority of colleges don’t require you to take an SAT Subject Test and don’t really use them as a factor in admissions. Usually only the very best schools use your Subject Test scores as an evaluative tool in the admissions process. So if you have the ambition of going to the Ivy League, then it’s important to do well on these tests. If you plan on applying to less competitive colleges, then the Subject Tests is not as important.
Of the colleges that require you to take the SAT Subject Tests, most ask for you to take two or three. The good thing about taking a Subject Test is that you can take any test you think you might excel in. It also allow youto show your knowledge in the field you plan to pursue in college.
What Subject Tests are there to take?
There are altogether 20 Subject Tests for you to choose from.
|
Subject Area |
Subject Test |
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English |
Literature |
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History and Social Studies |
U.S. History |
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Mathematics |
Mathematics Level 1 (formerly Math IC) |
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Science |
Biology E/M |
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Languages |
Chinese with Listening |
