SAT, i.e., Scholastic Aptitude Test is one of the standardized college admissions examinationsin the USA, the other is ACT. It is taken by students attempting admission at the undergraduate level in the USA. The SAT evaluates the written, verbal and mathematical skills of the candidates. SAT examhas been developed to assess the written, verbal and numerical skills of the candidates.
Applicants to undergraduate courses, particularly in US and Canada, are required to take the SAT exam. If the student is looking to get admission to a particular course, they can take the SAT subject tests to show his knowledge and understanding of that specific subject. Subject tests are offered in areas like Literature, History, Mathematics, Sciences and Foreign Languages.
The SAT is marked on a scale of 400-1600. The SAT Test is taken in two types: SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subjects Test. While SAT Reasoning test is conducted to evaluate a student’s reading, writing and mathematical ability, the SAT Subjects Testevaluate a candidate’s expertise in specific subjects.
College Board, the conducting authority of SAT, changed the test pattern in 2015 effective March 2016. One of the most critical elements that have been changed for 2017, is that the examination will be scored on a whole of 1600 while the Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and Math divisions will each be calculated on a 200 to 800 point scale. The best SAT score for college applicants depends on their target schools. You need to do a research what is a good sat score for a college of your choice. There are various sat practice test, sat vocabulary guides available online.
STRUCTURE
The SAT Test is conducted in two types: SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subjects Test. The SAT reasoning test includes the following:
Writing: This section comprises a short essay and multiple-choice questions on identifying errors and increasing grammar usage. This section is allotted 35 minutes and will have 44 questions.
Critical reading: According to new SAT pattern, this section includes reading passages and sentence completions. It is divided into three sub-sections. The problems asked in this section are based on either short passage reading or extended passage reading. The questions are based on multiple choice questions. These questions evaluate a student’s understanding ability. According to the SAT test pattern 2017, the time allotted to this section is 65 minutes for attempting 52 questions.
Mathematics: This section comprises questions on arithmetic operations, geometry, algebra, statistics, and probability. As per the changed SAT pattern, test takers will be given 80 minutes to solve 57 questions.
The SAT Subject Tests are one-hour-long exams that give you the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and showcase achievement in particular subjects. SAT Subject Tests are the only college admission examinations where you can choose the topics in which you are questioned. You elect the Subject Test(s) and can take up to three reviews in one sitting. A student can choose from Literature, United States History, World History, French and French with Listening, Modern Hebrew, Mathematics Level 1 and Level 2, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, Chinese with Listening, Latin, German and German with Listening, Japanese with Listening, Italian, Korean with Listening , Spanish and Spanish with Listening.