SAT, also known as Scholastic Assessment Test, was earlier known as Scholastic Aptitude Test. This test measures skills in Math, Reading, and Writing Abilities. SAT is conducted to test college readiness of high-school students.
Colleges and Universities across the US require students to have a particular SAT score for admissions. There are also many colleges that do not require SAT scores. So, you should start by finding out if your preferred college requires SAT scores or not. Experts believe that you should always go for the SAT because having the scores increases your choices. You can apply to several colleges in one go.
When Should You Start Preparing for the SAT?
SAT is all about testing your aptitude, college readiness. It has three sections: mathematical reasoning, reading, and writing. The curriculum can be overwhelming, hence it is very important to create a study plan and make a schedule that balances school lessons with SAT prep. You should try to start your SAT preparation early, at least 6-8 months before your exam. Plus, you must also take an SAT practice test to prepare well and gain confidence.
Early and timely preparation enables you to cover the entire curriculum and also creates pockets for revision before the test. If you believe you are slow or weak in math, you can also start the prep a year or two in advance.
It is best if you are comfortable and confident before your exam, so you can start the prep whenever you feel it is necessary for you.The first towards an efficient prep is to take an SAT practice paper. It will help you in understanding where you need to improve. It will also help you gain confidence, which will in turn enable you to score better marks on the SAT test.
The good thing about this examination is that there is no age specific eligibility criteria. This gives you a broader time period to decide when to start studying for this test. Basically, students studying in class 10th or 11th can also take the SAT to prepare for college. The test can be taken multiple times.
The most crucial strategy is to take the SAT when you are fully ready. It will help you score better if you are fully prepared for the examination. So, it is better to give the SAT test after you are done with high school.
How many times can you take the test?
The SAT exam is conducted seven times in a year in the US, and is conducted five times in India. And technically, a student can take the test as many times as he/she wants to. It also depends on the college you are going to apply to. If the college has set a higher criterion for SAT marks, you can keep giving the examination until you get the particular marks.
But it is recommended by a few educational institutions not to give the exam more than three to four times. Because it will be taking a lot of time and will take away the prime learning years from you. Give the exam when you are ready; it will help you score better and sooner.
SAT point scale
SAT students receive two section scores. One section is Reading based on evidence and writing, and the other one is Mathematics. A student secures a mark ranging between 200-800 in each of these sections. The total marks of the two sections combined are in between 800-1600.
The optional essay scores are reported separately. The selection also depends upon the criterias set by the colleges; for example, let’s consider a student needs to score a minimum of 1200 to get into a particular university. So, the student is supposed to score a minimum of 1200 in the SAT exam.
Syllabus
The SAT exam comprises three sections: reading, writing, and mathematics. The essay part has been made optional. However, a student will have to attempt multiple-choice questions. The time limit for EBRW is 100 minutes and for Math 80 minutes. The language of the paper is English. There is no negative marking.
Final Thoughts
I hope you liked our blog and got all the information about SAT. Make sure you start preparing for the exam 6-8 months before revising thoroughly.
