What is the SAT exam?
The SAT is used to evaluate how high school students are going to perform academically in college. This purpose, however, is only secondary to the primary goal of helping college admission officers make acceptance assessments and decisions.
The SAT provides college admission officers a single, standard means of evaluating high school students based on their SAT scores. Despite its student-intimidating reputation, the SAT is just a small piece of the puzzle that every high school student needs to solve when they become college freshmen.
College admissions officers normally evaluate standardized test scores alongside a student’s high school GPA, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, the classes he/she took in high school, admissions interviews, extracurricular activities, and personal essays.
Getting Started with SAT
To reiterate, the SAT is an entrance exam conducted by most colleges and universities to assess admissions decisions. The exam is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test produced and administered by the College Board. Now that we have fully defined what the SAT is, it’s time to learn how the process works. Let’s start with the SAT registration.
What is the procedure for registering in SAT?
The following are the requirements for taking the SAT test:
- Complete legal name and other identifying information. Always keep your personal details correct.
- Secret questions with answers about yourself. (e.g. what is your favorite food, where did you spend your first summer vacation, etc.) Providing one will help colleges locate you when you use the Student Search Service.
- A photo of yourself that can be clearly identified and recognized. It is important that the photo should be clear, colored, and doesn’t contain any dark and shadowy areas or spots. One of the SAT photo requirements includes providing a photo that shows your entire face from above the head to the shoulder area.
Aside from the primary requirements, there are other registration reminders that you need to keep in mind. To help you become aware of these imperative recommendations, we’ve outlined some of them below:
- It is highly advisable to register for the SAT at least six weeks before your testing date. Doing so will guarantee that you will not incur any late registration fees regardless of the SAT test dates that you’ll pick. Taking care of your registration will also give you an advantage when it comes to taking the test at your most preferred testing center.
- Mail registration is available. All you have to do is to complete the SAT registration form found inside the annual SAT bulletin. You can also ask or request one from your high school’s guidance office since they should have extra copies of the SAT bulletin.
- You also have the option to register online or by telephone. Before doing so, make sure you have a credit card on hand to charge the fee.
Can I pay for the SAT registration by using a debit card?
Yes, you may. In an instance where you experienced difficulty when it comes to paying the exam fees with your debit card, it is recommended to contact your bank right away to make sure that there are no restrictions that were placed on your card when making online or international transactions. But other than your debit card, you can also pay through your credit card, check, or money order.
How to cancel your SAT registration and receive a refund?
To successfully cancel your SAT registration and receive a full refund, you need to call customer service at least 5 days before your SAT test date. If you fail to call customer service within the required timeframe, it is possible that you’ll only receive a partial refund of up to $10.
What is the last date of registration for SAT?
Please see the table below for the 2019-2020 SAT Test Dates and Registration:
| SAT Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline |
| August 24, 2019 | July 26, 2019 | August 13, 2019 |
| October 5, 2019 | September 6, 2019 | September 24, 2019 |
| November 2, 2019 | October 3, 2019 | October 22, 2019 |
| December 7, 2019 | November 8, 2019 | November 26, 2019 |
| March 14, 2020 | February 14, 2020 | March 3, 2020 |
| May 2, 2020 | April 3, 2020 | April 21, 2020 |
| June 6, 2020 | May 8, 2020 | May 27, 2020 |
SAT Scoring System
You may have thought about how is the SAT scored. Well, here’s a simple answer:
- First, your answer sheet will be scanned to determine your raw score.
- Second, your raw score will then be calculated by the College Board’s system.
- Third, your raw score will undergo a process known as equating (a procedure where raw scores are converted to scores on a scale of 200 to 800)
- Lastly, you will receive the scaled score as the final result of the exam.
In a more elaborated version, the SAT is scored on a 200 to 800 point scale. The SAT consists of different test sections (Math, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Essay) and each of them has a ten-point increment. Moreover, the scores for the two sections (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math) are provided separately. The Essay section is also optional.
In addition, there are two required sections of the SAT: Math and Evidence-Based Reading. And as mentioned above, each section is figured between 200 and 800, with 800 being the best attainable score. Test-takers also receive a total score, which is the sum of the Math and EBR scores; this sum ranges from 400 to 1600.
What is an example of a good SAT subject test scores?
Keep in mind that a good SAT score varies by SAT Subject Test since the number of test-takers differs from exam to exam. Therefore, a good SAT subject test score is one that matches the range of scores that your chosen college requires. There are a lot of colleges that accept scores of 650 or above, but highly selective universities may want to see a 700 or 750—or even higher.
How long are the SAT subject test (SAT 2) scores valid?
The rule of thumb is usually 5 years. However, SAT scores’ validity may also depend on the school you are applying to. Some colleges may have specific guidelines about the SAT test scores that they will accept. Thus, it is advisable to check with the school to make sure that the scores you will present are valid.
How to get a perfect score on the SAT?
As we all know, the highest score a test taker can get on the SAT is 1600. However, getting a perfect SAT score can be very challenging. In fact, the percentage of test-takers who were able to achieve such a goal is less than 1%. But despite this very small percentage, getting a perfect score on the SAT can be exceedingly beneficial in terms of increasing your chances of being admitted to top colleges and universities.
SAT Exam Structure and Format
Please see the table below for the SAT exam structure and format:
| SAT Exam Structure and Format | |
| SAT Exam Length | 3 hours (an additional of 50 minutes will be given if you chose to include the Essay) |
| SAT Exam Sections |
|
| SAT Exam Cost | $46 ($60 if SAT Essay is included) |
| Highest SAT Score | 1600 |
| Average SAT Score | 1060 (may vary) |
SAT Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I pay for the SAT waitlist?
According to the College Board, you have the option to request a waitlist status from the last registration deadline five days before the test day. However, you can’t mail nor register by phone. Waitlist requests can only be done online using your free College Board account. Aside from that, you can also choose only one test center and one type of test (SAT or SAT Subject Tests) on any specific test administration date.
For more information about the Waitlist status, please refer to the following information below provided by the College Board:
Waitlist Fees and Requirements
- All regular registration requirements will apply.
- Print your own Waitlist Ticket; it can’t be mailed to you.
- Admitted waitlist students will be charged any applicable registration fees, including waitlist fees.
- You cannot make any changes to your waitlist request on test day. If you’re admitted to the test center, you must test exactly as specified on your Waitlist Ticket.
Can you print previous SAT admission tickets?
If you register online, you’ll be advised to print your Admission Ticket. If you want to print your Admission Ticket, you can always sign in to your College Board online account and print it again. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to receive an Admission Ticket by mail. If you’ve made changes or corrections to your registration, you must reprint your Admission Ticket.
How should I prepare for the new SAT exam?
The College Board SAT is probably one of the most common admission tests that a lot of students worry about. Moreover, there are numerous methods that one can do to prepare effectively for the exam. Utilizing training materials such as SAT practice test questions, SAT prep courses, SAT books, etc.
How to print SAT scores?
Based on the type of computer have, you can click the printer icon at the top of the screen. You can find the icon on the page where your test results are located. You can also do a right-click on the SAT score page and choose the “Print” option. If your printer is properly working, just click “Print” and wait for the hard copy of your SAT score.
What is the ideal preparation time for the SAT?
The ideal preparation time for the SAT is at least 3 months before your test date. That way, you will have enough time to become familiar with how the test works and the approaches you can take to maximize your chances of getting a high score.
How many times can I retake the SAT?
There is no limit as to how many times you can retake the SAT. However, it is advisable to not take the test countless times. In fact, only the most recent 6 scores will remain on your file or record. Taking the test too many times may result in a bad impression from the schools you are planning to go to.
How important are SAT scores?
Your SAT scores are important because they are a big factor when it comes to judging your academic preparedness for college. Your SAT scores will determine if you are qualified for the school you applied for.
How should I improve my SAT score?
You can improve your SAT score by practicing. Once you have taken your first SAT, preparing for the second one will be easier. With consistent practice, you will be able to improve your SAT performance overtime.
SAT Study Guide and Preparation
Preparation is the most vital part of every examination. In order to prepare for the SAT effectively, you can use practice test materials intended for SAT test-takers. There are a bunch of study guides and free SAT practice test materials that you can utilize for your own benefit and advantage. With the right materials, you will surely gain firsthand experience as to what it feels like to take the test.
Other than the available study guides online, we’ve also outlined a few tips and tricks below to help you learn some practices that you can apply when you take the test:
Taking the SAT Tips and Tricks
#1 Read and understand the test instructions beforehand.
One of the best ways to find the right approach when taking the SAT is to review the instructions for each of the test sections. Once you’ve fully understood the directions, it will save you a lot of time during the test.
#2 Skip the questions you don’t know.
If you don’t know the answer to a question, it is always better to mark and skip it instead of wasting your time trying to come up with the best possible answer. In order to maximize your chances of getting a high score, take care of the easier ones first.
#3 Use a deductive strategy or approach.
Eliminating the incorrect answers is one way of answering a difficult question effectively. Deducing the wrong ones will eventually lead you to the right answer. All it takes is a keen analysis of the question.
#4 Don’t be afraid to make a wild guess.
There are questions that you can’t answer no matter how hard you try. In the past, test-takers are being penalized for providing a wrong answer—not this time. Therefore, if you don’t know the answer to a question, try to make a wild guess. Remember, choosing a possible answer out of a wild guess is better than leaving it unanswered, which will give you zero probability of earning a point.
#5 Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
When you feel nervous or pressured, there’s a big possibility that you will not be able to think straight. This will not contribute to your exam. As much as possible, try your best to remain calm and composed when taking the test. Focus on the test questions rather than think whether you’ll pass or not. Not being able to think clean because of too much pressure and anxiety will surely affect your performance negatively.
SAT Sample Questions
Here are some SAT sample test questions to stir up your preparation:
Question #1
Carol has twice as many books as Beverly has. After Carol gives Beverly 5 books, she still has 10 more books than Beverly has. How many books did Carol have originally?
(A) 20
(B) 25
(C) 30
(D) 35
(E) 40
Question #2
ODD INTEGER ODD INTEGER =
(A) odd integer only
(B) even integer only
(C) even or odd integer
Question #3
A strike, like a war, should be resorted to only when less _____ measures have failed.
(A) drastic
(B) important
(C) derogatory
(D) objective
(E) eventful
Conclusion
SAT, like all examinations, requires preparation and familiarity. If you want to pass the test, learning how to play the game is a surefire way of achieving positive results. If you need help finding credible SAT practice questions, we’ve got you covered!
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