Application Process
SAT
What is SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)?
Scholastic Aptitude Test or SAT, as is popularly known, is a verbal and quantitative reasoning test conducted for college admission in United States of America. SAT is developed, conducted and published by College Board of US but formally, it is developed, conducted and published by Educational Testing Service (ETS). SAT is required for seeking admission in undergraduate courses of many US universities. A candidate cannot take the SAT exam more than twice.
Commencement of SAT
SAT is held 6 7 times in a year in months of October, November, December, January, March, May and June. You will need to check the dates with the governing body.
Eligibility Criteria for SAT
A candidate must have completed 10+2 from a recognised institute.
How to apply?
There are two ways of registering for SAT exam.
- Online Registration Students can fill a registration form on official website of College Board. Examination fee can be paid online through credit card.
- By Mail Students can download registration form from official website of College Board or can get SAT Information Bulletin from USIEF offices. Students can mail their form with draft, cheque or money order of registration fees to College Board SAT Program, Princeton, New Jersey – 08541, USA. Payment can also be made through credit card.
Fee Structure
Fee for General Test is Rs. 4200
Fee for Subject Test is Rs. 3500
Types of exams
There are two types of SAT exams:
SAT General Test/ SAT-I
The general test of 3 hours and 45 minutes includes three sections of multiple choice questions:
Writing
The writing test assesses candidate’s knowledge about grammar, usage and word choice.
Reading
It tests candidate’s capability of sentence completion, paragraph reading and reading comprehension.
Mathematics
Mathematics This test includes Basic Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Probability, Statistics and Data Analysis.
SAT Subject Test (Optional)/ SAT -II
Some Universities or Colleges require or recommend SAT subject Test score with admission application form. SAT subject test is an optional test but it provides an additional opportunity to candidates to show their capabilities and knowledge about particular subject to universities and colleges. This test will be important if a candidate is applying for major in any specific subject.
The SAT II is an hour test with multiple choice questions. Candidates are required to select three subjects per sitting from the list of 20 subjects like Chemistry, Physics, Social Studies, German Reading, Spanish Listening, World History, French, Mathematics, Literature, etc.
Scoring Pattern
- SAT I The total score for SAT General Test is 2400. All three sections : Reading, Writing and Mathematics are scored on scale of 200-800. For securing admission in good college, score of 500 in each section is considered as a good score.
- SAT II The total score for SAT Subject Test is also 2400. Each subject is scored on the scale of 200-800.
How to prepare?
The Official College Board Guide or Big Blue Book is the only book providing questions from the actual test. Students can practice for test from this book. Candidates can also subscribe to The Official SAT Online Course at the official website of College Board (collegeboard.org) to familiarise themselves with all aspects of SAT. The course offers interactive lessons, official practice papers, immediate computer generated score and personalised score report.
Countries which accept SAT score
Apart from USA, there are various countries which accept SAT exam score:
- Australia
- Canada
- Singapore
- United Kingdom
Students can visit official website of individual Universities and colleges to know about acceptable score of SAT for seeking admission in various courses.