• OVERVIEW
SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) tests your skill in quantitative reasoning and verbal ability for admission to colleges in USA. It is conducted, developed and published by College Board of US but it is formally conducted, developed and published by ETS (Educational Testing Service). Candidates seeking admission to undergraduate courses in US universities are required to take SAT exam. An individual cannot take SAT exam more than 2 times.
• ELIGIBILITY
1. SAT is a paper based test for securing admissions in universities and colleges based in US.
2. Anyone who has completed his/her 12 years of schooling from any recognized Indian board or university can take SAT Reasoning Test or SAT Subject Tests or both.
3. There are no criteria of minimum marks for appearing in any SAT.
4. The SAT scores are valid for five years, most universities/ colleges accept scores up to five years old, but it is always better if scores are not older than 2 years.
5. Countries accepting SAT score include Australia, United Kingdom, Singapore and Canada.
6. Interested candidates can log onto official website of desired colleges and universities to know the scores accepted by them for securing admissions in different courses.
• PAPER PATTERN
1. SAT 1- For SAT general test, the total SAT score is 2400. The 3 sections namely Writing, Reading and Mathematics are reported on a scale of 200 to 800. To ensure admission in a reputed college one should secure a SAT score of 500 in each section.
2. SAT 2- For SAT subject test, the total score is 2400. Here also the subjects are reported on a scale of 200 to 800.
• HOW TO APPLY?
Most students take the SAT during their junior or senior year of high school. At least half of all students take the SAT twice - in the spring as a junior and in the fall as a senior. Most students improve their score the second time they take the SAT.
Candidates can register for SAT test by any of the following methods:-
Registration and Requirements-
Registration for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests takes place online on the College Board website. The deadline to register is roughly 4 weeks before a test date, but students are encouraged to complete their registration well in advance, to ensure that they get a seat at a test center of their choice. There are currently more than 40 test centers spread across more than 20 cities in India. The complete list of centers can be viewed by students when they are registering online.
The SAT costs Indian students $94.50 (there could be additional costs for extra services chosen by students). The Subject Tests cost lesser.
Exam Duration-
The SAT is a fairly long exam – 3 hours and 45 minutes in duration, and made up of 10 sections:
1. One 25-minute essay
2. Six 25-minute sections (mathematics, critical reading and writing)
3. Two 20-minute sections (mathematics, critical reading and writing)
4. One 10-minute multiple-choice writing section
• SCHEDULE
The SAT and SAT Subject Tests are held in India 6 times a year, in the months of January, May, June, October, November and December. The test is typically usually held on the first Saturday of the month. Test dates are released well in advance by the College Board, and can be viewed on the website: http://sat.collegeboard.org
