What is the SAT exam and how to crack it

SAT exam and how to crack it

Are you curious about the SAT exam and how to pass it? We’ve got you covered, though. This blog has covered every aspect of the test that can enable you to pursue your dream of earning your bachelor’s degree abroad. Continue reading!

What is the SAT exam, and how do you need to prepare for it?

Universities utilize the SATs as a key criterion to assess a high school student’s preparation for college. Read on if you’re just getting started and don’t know anything about the SAT exam, preparation, or other specifics. You may find all the information you require on this blog.

What is SAT exam?

Let’s start by understanding the full form of SAT i.e., Scholastic Aptitude Test. For students applying to colleges and universities, the College Board, a non-profit US organisation, developed a standardised assessment test. Higher education institutions use it, along with candidates’ grades from high school, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities, to assess applicants’ aptitude.

SAT exam 

SAT exam happens in various regions, seven times a year, at various intervals. Nearly all nations allow specific centers to provide at least five tests each year. According to the updated SAT exam pattern, it is a three-hour test with two sections (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing [EBRW] and Mathematics).

SAT exam format and scores

What are the SAT exam’s purpose, format, and topics? The SAT exam has scores that range from 400 to 1600. Three key sections make up the SAT reasoning test. We will segment the current SAT exam structure in two parts for you.

Section 1 & 2: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) 

Total Question: 96, Time Limit: 100 minutes, Score Range: 200-800

The Reading Test and the Writing and Language Test are the two components of EBRW.

  • 52 questions in the reading test; 65 minutes allotted.

  • Test of language and writing with 44 questions, 35-minutes allotted

You can raise your SAT reading score, by developing a passage-reading approach that works for you. Take the official SAT exam for the reading section. Try finishing the section within the allotted time by setting a timer. Finally, evaluate your part, identify your areas of weakness, and attempt to improve them. This will aid in perfecting your test-taking approach and time management abilities.

Section 3: Mathematics

Score range of 200-800

  • Calculator-based math: 20 problems in 25 minutes

  • Calculator-free math: 38 questions in 55 minutes

Your preparation for the math test is insufficient without memorization of the formulas needed to ace the SAT math exam. Learn shortcuts for answering the questions, such as backsolving, choosing numbers, etc. Be aware of the foolish errors you frequently make when completing this part.

As you start to prepare and set your sights on the top universities, be fully informed about the SAT exam. Keep yourself informed of any changes to the exam format. You will get all the assistance you need for your test preparation from here.

Changes in the SAT exam pattern

The SAT exam pattern modifications are not all that recent. They started being used in March of 2016. The reading and writing components of the SAT exam have been combined into one longer EBRW in the current exam syllabus. Additionally, the new pattern’s maximum score range was reduced to 1600. (previously, it was 2400).

The elimination of the guessing penalty is the new pattern’s most notable alteration, though. There is no longer a 0.25-point deduction for each wrong response. The ranges of composite scores for the new percentiles have been slightly widened.

In the SAT exam 2024 and moving forward, the College Board has abolished the SAT subject tests and the optional essay. There were 20 exam topics on the SAT, divided into five categories. History, languages, math, science, and English were among the subjects. However, it has since been abandoned.

Please be aware that the exam will last 50 minutes now that the optional essay is not required. Your exam will now last three hours.

The SAT will change to a computer-based test starting in 2024. Here are some noteworthy adjustments to the digital SAT-

  • The three-hour test will now last two hours only.

  • Additionally, the board will permit students to use calculators for the entire Math section rather than only a portion of it.

  • The passages in the reading segment will get shorter, for instance.

  • You’ll see that the paragraphs cover a wide range of subjects.

  • There will only be one question based on each passage.

SAT curriculum

Do you need to memorize any particular course textbooks? Is there only one SAT study guide to use? No, is the answer. The purpose of the SAT exam is to assess students’ knowledge and intelligence on a more general, all-encompassing level, which cannot be achieved by restricting it to a small number of books.

Nevertheless, these are some of the topics and components that will be included in the SAT exam in 2024.

  1. The reading part consists of the following five sentences:
    One from fiction, one from philosophy and general problems of everyday life, one from economics/sociology/psychology, and two from everyday science. Candidates must read the text and answer the questions with reasons and arguments within the given context.

  2. The writing and language test consists of 44 MC questions from four passages (Science, Career, History, Humanities, and Social Sciences) that encourage students to express their thoughts while paying attention to language conventions. It should be clarified and expressed. Some questions also ask applicants to correct grammatical and syntactic errors in given sentences.

  3. The SAT mathematics curriculum includes algebra, problem-solving, data analysis, and advanced mathematics questions in both subsections.

Eligibility for the SAT in 2024

You should be aware that the College Board has not established any eligibility requirements for the SAT exam. Any kid who is at least 12 years old may take the test. However, as is customary, only high school graduates take the exam to be admitted to the schools and universities of their choice.

Understanding the SAT percentile

While the SAT percentiles show how you have performed for other applicants, the score range of 400-1600 is for absolute marking. The 70 percentile score means that you outperformed 70% of the applicants. Additionally, rather than using composite scores, colleges, and institutions evaluate students based on their SAT percentiles.

The total score that students receive on all of their tests is used to calculate percentiles. As a result, SAT scores for universities can vary by year. For instance, depending on how candidates fared overall in that year, an institution with a 75 percentile criteria could have a closing composite score of 1340 in 2018 and 1450 in 2019.

You can get the most recent information on the percentile and composite score requirements of the institutions and colleges you want to apply to from any seasoned expert.

Let’s talk scores a good SAT score?

The minimum cutoff point for admissions varies for each university. However, we may claim that a score of 1200 or higher qualifies you to apply for admission to several universities. Similar to this, you can qualify for university scholarships in India with a composite score of 1350 or higher.

SAT exam fees and registration

The actual cost of the SAT exam is $55. On the website of the College Board, you can register online.

Remember that there are additional fees for things like switching your test location, canceling your registration, doing so after the deadline, doing so late, and paying for the waitlist.

If you don’t take the correct approach and speak to the right people, passing your SAT and picking the right university can be frightening experiences. You must be aware of even the most minute information, such as the SAT exam full form, the SAT exam topics, the results, etc.

We hope that our blog post on “What is the SAT exam?” has given you all the fundamental yet important knowledge about the SAT. Please get in touch with us if you have any additional questions concerning the SAT exam or need assistance with international education. Plan your study abroad trip properly.

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