SAT
The SAT, which stands for “Scholastic Assessment Test,” is an entrance exam for students hoping to enrol in undergraduate programs at institutions outside their home countries, particularly the US and Canada. It is a written, paper-and-pencil test that assesses an applicant’s language, critical reading and writing and quantitative reasoning abilities. The SAT exam style and design underwent significant changes in 2016 when it became the New SAT.
The New SAT has changed several things, including the topic names, examination duration, and valuation pattern, even though the exam’s essential eligibility requirements and ethos remain the same. The redesigned SAT exam includes portions for evidence-based reading & writing and Mathematics, replacing the old SAT exam’s components for critical reading, writing, and mathematics.
Why SAT?
If you’re wondering why you should take the SAT, here are some reasons:
- It improves your English reading and writing skills, as well as your English speaking abilities.
- It increases your numerical understanding.
- Scholarships and endowments are based on SAT scores.
- In comparison to other entrance exams, the SAT's fees are not prohibitively expensive.
- The SAT is accepted by the majority of colleges in the United States for undergraduate degrees.
- The SAT provides a student with fundamental knowledge of English and mathematics.
- It is extremely simple to score.
- Improves history and social science knowledge while broadening general knowledge.
- Because the SAT does not use negative marking, you will have the option of guessing an answer rather than leaving it blank.
- Scholarships are likely one of the most important SAT benefits. The College Board offers tuition-free scholarships to students based on a few criteria. You can take advantage of this opportunity to gain admission to some of India's most prestigious private colleges.
Understanding the SAT qualifying standards is crucial given that they are one of the most critical requirements for attaining education overseas. Although there are no set requirements for taking the SAT exam, the following factors are important to be aware of when registering for the test:
SAT Exam Eligibility | No fixed criteria |
Age Limit | There is no fixed maximum or minimum age criteria for SAT exam eligibility for students. Students can appear for this exam without worrying about any age limit. |
Educational Background | Generally, SAT does not require any minimum educational criteria. However, if you are a high school student planning to pursue a degree after completing school, you can start the preparation in the school years itself. |
Frequency | There are no specified official limits regarding the frequency of how many times a person can appear for SAT. Students can take this exam as many times as it would take them to pass it. However, it is likely to be advised that you appear for it at least twice before you complete your high school. |
There is only one prerequisite for the SAT registration i.e. anybody taking the test must have a valid passport. The SAT registration process is relatively simple, and like other exams, you must apply online, except in a few circumstances where applicants may submit a paper application by mail. The application process for both online and mail submissions has been briefly covered here:
Online Registration:
1) On the College Board website, you must register and create a profile.
2) You must thoroughly fill out the online SAT application form and make a student profile for yourself.
3) After filling up all the personal and academic information, you must choose the exam and the examination location.
4) The next step is to upload a clear photo of yourself to the application.
5) Next, you must submit your application and pay the appropriate examination fee online.
6) Once your submission has been received, you simply need to print your examination admittance ticket.
Application through mail:
Candidates may use this system of SAT application if they meet the following requirements:
- 13 years or younger
- wants to a request test close to their home
- unable to upload a digital photograph
- wish to pay the examination fee through cheque or money order
The registration process in such circumstances is given below:
- You must ask your education counsellor or the school board for an SAT student registration brochure.
- You must complete the SAT application form included in the booklet following the instructions provided there.
- This completed application form should be mailed to the address listed on the booklet in a registration envelope together with a money order or check for the examination application fee.
The three core areas of the SAT are Math, Evidence-Based Reading, and Writing. The complete testing period includes the optional 50-minute essay, which brings the total testing time to 3 hours and 50 minutes. The breakdown for each remaining section is given below:
SAT Test Section | # of Questions and Types | Content | Timing |
EVIDENCE-BASED | Reading | Relevant words in context | 100 minutes |
MATHEMATICS | 45 standard multiple-choice | The heart of algebra | 80 minutes |
ESSAY* | 1 evidence-based essay | Analyzing a source | 50 minutes |
The SAT scoring algorithm has evolved, offering a more thorough breakdown and analysis of students’ scores. A composite score is calculated from area scores, each of which is rated out of 800, for a total possible score of 1600. For a detailed breakdown of the scores, see the table below:
Score Type | Score Range |
COMPOSITE SCORE | 400-1600 |
AREA SCORES | 200-800 |
TEST SCORES | 10-40 |
ESSAY | 6-24 |
CROSS-TEST SCORES | 10-40 |
SUBSCORES | 1-15 |