Many colleges require scores from the SAT or ACT tests as a part of the admissions process. Your SAT score is a key component of your college applications. The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test created and administered by the College Board.
When students first started taking the SAT in 1926, the abbreviation meant Scholastic Aptitude Test. Since then, the test had several official names, which were changed because of sharp social criticism. Today, the SAT abbreviation stands for nothing at all.
The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student's readiness for college and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important SAT scores are in the college application varies from school to school.
Overall, the higher you score on the SAT, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available.
Who can take the SAT?
The SAT can be taken by everyone who applies to a college or university undergraduate program as well as scholarship or other programs that require SAT scores as part of their application process.
Note that the test is paid. Here are the main registration fees:
- SAT costs $49.50
- SAT with essay costs $64.50
There are also additional payments for extra services such as late registration, waitlist, change of test center or test date, etc. Non-US test-takers also make additional international registration payments, depending on their region. For instance, if you’re from Europe, you must pay $49.50 for the SAT and $47 as a regional fee.
How long does the SAT take?
The SAT consists of three main sections: Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and an optional essay. Here are the number of questions and minutes given for each section:
1. Reading: Time - 65 minutes
Total number of questions - 52
2. Writing & Languages: Time - 35 minutes
Total number of questions - 44
3. Math: Time - 35 minutes (with calculator) + 25 minutes (without calculator)
Total number of question 38 (with calculator) + 20 (without calculator)
4. Essay (Optional): Time - 50 minutes ( Read one passage and write an essay analyzing how the author built their argument)
So, the total exam time is 3 hours, 50 minutes
What subjects are on the SAT?
Topics that are covered in each section of SAT are described below:
1. The reading Test consists of multiple-choice questions based on passages you must read and analyze.
Topics
* Literature (classic or contemporary US or world literature)
* Historical documents (Great Global Conversation or founding documents)
* Social Sciences (psychology, economics, sociology, etc.)
* Natural Sciences (biology, physics, chemistry, etc.)
* Some passages may include tables, graphs, or charts.
2. The Writing and Language section consists of multiple-choice questions based on passages you need to read, edit, and proofread.
Topic:
* Career
* Science
* Humanities
* History / Social Studies
3. The math Test is designed to align with the math you learn in school.
Topic:
* Heart of Algebra
* Problem Solving and Data Analysis
* Passport to Advanced Math (complex equations)
* Additional Topics in Math (area and volume, coordinate geometry, basic trigonometry)
4. The essay Test looks like a typical writing assignment. You need to read a passage, explain how the author built their persuasive arguments, and support your explanation with evidence from this passage.
* General topics
* Required skills: reading, writing, analysis.
How to prepare for the test?
1. Register for the SAT early on
To take the test, students should register for the SAT through the College Board website. Three types of registration are available:
* registration by mail, also known as paper registration (has some restrictions);
* Registration by phone (costs additional fees and can be done only if you’ve registered before).
Before registration, pick the test center that will oversee you on testing day. Choose the nearest location, since you’ll have to drive there early.
When picking a date, give yourself enough time to prepare. If possible, select a test date at least three months in advance.
2. Figure out your strengths and weaknesses
Take the SAT practice test online to recognize which areas you need to work on. Taking the practice test doesn’t just help you practice SAT questions and find out what skills you need to enhance. It also shows you how to get comfortable sitting still, focusing on tests for over three hours, and finding the right answers as quickly as possible. When you get through the SAT prep questions, you’ll get familiar with the order of the test sections and learn more about specific instructions for each one.
Want to take a paper practice test? All you need for it is a printer, pencil, calculator, and a timer so that you can simulate time limits just like the actual SAT. You can download the paper SAT practice tests on College Board for free. Be sure to find a quiet spot, such as a library, and bring a lot of scratch paper. If you’re going to write the SAT essay, you should make it a part of your practice test as well.
3. Set your score goal
Once you take your first practice test and find out your total score, set your goal score! Keep it feasible based on the time frame you have for SAT prep.
A 100-point improvement from your total score in a month is achievable, while 300-point growth during the same time frame is less likely. Note that the more you want to increase your score, the more time you must devote to practicing.
4. Make a study plan and stick to your schedule
Develop a realistic study schedule based on your strengths and weaknesses, goal score, and time frames you have. Try to spend a consistent amount of time every day studying until the test day. Having short study sessions each day for a month or two is more effective than cramming the same information a week before the test.
Make sure to take at least two full-length practice tests — at the beginning and the end of your SAT study process. Taking at least one paper practice test will also help you get comfortable with the format and give you a real sense of how long the test is.
Effective SAT preparation is about forming a habit — setting aside a scheduled study routine. For instance, you can take your online calendar, such as Google Calendar or daily planner, to outline the section you will study daily. Maybe you’re going to learn for an hour after school. Or it’ll be more convenient for you to have a 30-minute SAT practice in the morning and at night.
And remember that habits that help you succeed in high school will help you prepare for the test day. So take charge of your education — do your homework, ask and answer many questions, prepare for tests, and don’t be afraid to take challenging courses.
5. Expand your SAT vocabulary
As you probably know, the SAT was redesigned in 2016. From that time, the test became more relevant for high school students. Even so, it requires a strong knowledge of specific SAT vocabulary words.
SAT vocabulary consists of medium-difficulty, multi-meaning words. Don’t get scared of a long list of words — memorizing vocabulary should be just a small part of your SAT writing and reading preparation. The more significant skill to improve will be your ability to define the meaning of the words in context. To practice this skill, you can do three things — reading challenging articles, picking out unknown words, and defining them. By reading nonfiction, you’ll learn words more likely to appear on the upgraded SAT rather than ultra-specific vocabulary the SAT no longer tests.
One of the main SAT reading tips is to read from different fields. As mentioned above, the SAT includes passages from the US and world literature, science, history, and social studies. You don’t need to read history articles daily, as you’ll quickly overload yourself with similar vocabulary. Instead, keep your reading routine as balanced as possible.
6. Make the most of the practice resources
Today, there are tons of resources, both online and printed, and tools for you to practice for the SAT. Of course, the best way to get used to SAT questions is by actually doing them.
Luckily, it’s easy to find free practice tests online. Here are some of them:
* Online and printed SAT practice tests from the College Board;
* Sample questions for each section;
7. Practice regularly, even during “dead time”
We all have that time when we’re just waiting for a friend or commuting to school. So why not make the most of every free minute of your day?
* Review SAT flashcards on your phone to memorize vocabulary;
The SAT preparation doesn’t have to be boring — it could be an enjoyable process if you study without haste and make some helpful study tools a part of your daily routine.
8. Be ready for the test day
First, you should know what to expect — what questions you’ll see and how to deal with them. Besides, be sure you have everything you need, including:
* Your admission ticket;
* photo ID;
* At least two No.2 pencils with erasers;
* A drink or snack for your break.
On the test day, try to have a balanced breakfast (e.g., oats, yogurt, nuts, seeds, eggs, fruits, and vegetables) and stay hydrated. All test centers open at 7:45 AM (doors close at 8 AM), so don’t be late. You’ll be assigned a seat and get strict SAT requirements on when to start and stop working on each test section. There will be only two short breaks during the test.
Note that the section order in your test book might differ from the one in the test book of the students sitting next to you. This may happen, so don’t be surprised.
9. Take a break the night before the SAT
Why would you waste any study time right before the test? Of course, you can review SAT grammar rules or solve math problems all night before the test. But would it help you improve your chances of success? Likely not. Instead, being rested and relaxed when you wake up for the SAT is needed. Here is how you can achieve this:
* Relax: To do its best, your brain needs to rest. Instead of stressful late-night studying before the test, meditate, read a book, or spend time with your friends.
* Organize Your Bag: The night before the SAT is the right time to make sure you take everything you need to bring on test day (see step 8).
* Have a Good Sleep: Reducing screen time before going to bed will help you fall asleep fast and have a good night’s sleep.
* Know Your Way to the Testing Center: Plan how to get to the desired location and how long it will take.
Studying at the last minute can increase your stress level and, as a result, reduce your confidence. So take your mind off the SAT and surround yourself with a calm atmosphere.
10. Try not to get too stressed out
Always remember that you can achieve your goal on the test day with regular practice! But even if your score won’t be as good as you’d want, it’s not the end of the world. The SAT doesn’t show how smart you are — it only tells how good you are at some school skills.
This test is not the only thing colleges consider when considering your application. Besides, if you prepare in advance, you’ll have time to retake the test and improve your results.
How to study for the SAT?
There are a few popular methods that students use to prepare for the SAT:
1. Self-preparation: Because of a great variety of prep books, mobile apps, and online resources, more and more students opt to prepare for the test independently. It’s a convenient way, as you can control what and when to study. This is also the cheapest option, as there are a lot of free prep resources.
However, it may be hard for some learners to stay motivated and stick to their study plan. Also, they can face challenges when self-diagnosing their strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, guidance is helpful sometimes.
2. Online program: A reliable online program can be an excellent investment, especially if customized to your needs. But it’s a relatively new way of preparing for the SAT, so finding a good one can be challenging. Make sure you know what you’ll get for your money!
3. Preparation course: It’s an effective method to stay on track if you have problems with motivation. On the other hand, a prep course isn’t personalized enough and is too expensive.
4. Private tutor: A professional SAT tutor is invaluable. They can help you create a personalized study schedule based on your skills and score goals. Also, your tutor will help you stay motivated.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When to take the SAT?
December 2, 2023 (Registration deadline: November 3)
March 9, 2024 (Registration deadline: February 23)
May 4, 2024 (Registration deadline: April 19)
June 1, 2024 (Registration deadline: May 17)
2. How many times can you take the SAT?
You can take it as many times as you like
3. How to check SAT scores?
Once the learners take the test, the College Board’s team scans the answers sheets and reports the scores to students. If you register for the SAT online or register by mail but create a personal account on the College Board, you’ll get an email with detailed information on how to go to your online score report once scores are available.
Students who don’t have online accounts will receive paper score reports. If you want, you can even get your SAT scores by phone, but it’ll cost you an extra fee.
4. What is a good SAT score?
At least 1200
5. What is the SAT score for Harvard?
Reading & Writing 730-780, Math 750-800
Conclusion
The SAT is a significant component of the college admissions process, and its importance varies from one institution to another. Students have various options for preparing for the SAT, including self-preparation, online programs, preparation courses, and private tutoring. Regardless of the chosen method, starting early, setting realistic goals, regular practice, and understanding the test format is essential for success. Remember that while SAT scores matter, they are just one part of your college application, and colleges consider various other factors when making admissions decisions. Balancing your efforts and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can contribute to a well-rounded college application.