What is the SAT?
The SAT is a college admissions test taken during high school in the U.S. If you want to go to school in the U.S. as an international student, you pretty much have to take it. If you’re studying in Dubai, many schools use it as an entry exam or to exempt you from taking certain courses like college algebra.
Who makes the SAT?
The Educational Testing Service makes the test and administers it through the College Board. Keep in mind, these guys do nothing but make tests. They also make the TOEFL and SAT subject tests.
What’s on the SAT?
For the best overview of the test, check out the College Board website. Basically, the content is split into three parts: reading, writing, and mathematics. These subjects are tested over 4 sections.
For the reading, there is one section that includes 5 long reading passages and questions, some with charts and graphs. For the writing, you may have to write an essay and prove you’ve got good grammar by improving sentences, improving paragraphs, and identifying grammatical errors in 4 passages. The mathematics tests arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.
How is it scored?
Scoring can get pretty complicated, so all you need to know is that you get a score from 200 to 800 in reading/writing, and mathematics. Your total possible score is 1600.
What’s a good score?
Decide where you want to go to school and then figure out the school’s required (or average accepted) score…that’s a good score. Here’s a secret your parents and test prep companies don’t want you to know: getting into a college or university is about more than your SAT score. Get the best one you can and move on.
What else do I need to know?
If you are taking the SAT, use the College Board website to register for the test, download the bulletin, and take a free practice test.
How do I prepare for the test?
Apply Me offers private test coaching as an hourly service to our students. Visit the SAT page to learn more about our teaching method and pricing. Schedule a FREE consultation to learn more about how we can help!
Last Updated: September 13, 2020
