What is the SAT?

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a standard submission test that is used by colleges around the country. The purpose of a college admissions test is to help identify students who will succeed at a given college. A college can fairly easily determine how well an admissions test meets that purpose by comparing the test's predictions about the individual students to outcomes that the college relates to academic success.

The SAT is not a perfect instrument, but neither are high school grades or anything else colleges use in the admissions process. Performance on the SAT can help students identify colleges where they are likely to be successful and help colleges identify their potentially successful students.

SAT test results help students select colleges, too. Each year millions of students choose colleges they believe to be the best fit based partly on their SAT scores. Most of their decisions are made outside the formal admission process. The test should be taken in your junior year of high school, but no later than the spring semester of your senior year. If you do not do well the first time you take the test, you can retake it as many times as necessary. The tests are offered six times a year throughout the country at local high schools and colleges. You can pick up a registration package from your guidance counselor at your high school.

Your Guide to the SAT

The SAT is a seven-section, three-hour exam that is administered seven times a year. Three of the sections are verbal, three are math, and one is experimental. The experimental section can be either verbal or math. It is used by the test-makers for research purposes only and will not count toward your final score.

SAT I Structure

Focus: Math

To do well on this section of the SAT, you only need some mathematical knowledge that covers the basic concepts in arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. Not only is knowing these concepts important but understanding the different ways in which they will be tested on the SAT is essential as well. As seen above, there are three math sections: regular math/problem solving, quantitative comparisons, and grid-ins. Remember that the questions in each section start off easy but gradually get harder as you finish the section.

This section tests your ability to do standard math questions, which involve arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. In this section, you should:

• Solve the problem as quickly as possible
• Think resourcefully using all the information available
• Look for patterns, shortcuts, and traps

This section tests your ability to examine sets of numbers and to determine some kind of relationship. On each question, you will see two quantities each under "Column A" and "Column B." The object of the question is to select the quantity that is greater than the other. However, there is also choice C, which states that the quantities are equal, and choice D, which states that there is not enough information.

In this section, you should:

• Try to compare without calculating
• Think quickly about the quantities
• Look for a fast and clever way to decide which is bigger
• Try not to fall for quantities that might look alike

This section tests your ability to figure out your own answers to different math problems. The reason they are called grid-ins is because you have to come up with and fill in your answer on a special grid in the answer sheet. The difference between the grid-ins and the regular math section is that in the regular math section has the answers right in front of you while the grid-ins you do not.

In this section, you should:

• Be able to figure out the problem and fill in the answer on the grid
• Try to practice beforehand doing grid-in problems to get comfortable with it
• Think your way through the problem first

Focus: Verbal

This section is somewhat predictable and has a limited amount of skills and knowledge needed to do well. It covers vocabulary, verbal reasoning, and reading skills. As mentioned before, the sections include: analogies, sentence completions, and critical reading. Just like the math section, the analogy and sentence completion section is arranged in order of difficulty but the reading section is not.

Analogies

The analogy section tests your vocabulary and your understanding of word relationships. Each question contains a pair of words that are related in some way and are called stem words. Then you have to choose from the five possible choices which pair has the same relationship as the stem words.

In this section, you should:

• Think carefully about the stem words
• Establish the relationship in your mind
• Try to put the stem words into a sentence where the sentence will also make sense or work for the answer.

Sentence Completions

This section tests your vocabulary and your understanding of the structure and logic of sentences. The questions will consist of a sentence with one or two blanks where you have to choose among the possible answers which word(s) will fit perfectly and logically into the sentence. In this section, you should:

• Select the word or words that satisfactorily complete the sentence
• Think carefully about the sentence
• Look for hidden definitions, structural signals, and other clues

Critical Reading

This last section tests your ability to understand the content of written material, both fiction and nonfiction and some questions also test your understanding of vocabulary-in-context. You will have to read four passages that will have questions following it which will ask you about what you just read. In this section, you should:

• Answer questions about the main ideas, details, inferences, arguments, and tone of the reading passages
• Try to read actively, not passively
• Think every step of the way about what the passage conveys, why the author might use a particular style, and what s/he is suggesting between the lines.

Scoring

You receive two scores on the SAT, one math and one verbal. Each subject is scored on a scale of 200 to 800. The national average is approximately 500 in each subject (1000 combined). However, most competitive colleges will look for significantly higher scores.

TIPS

1. Know the test directions. For every five minutes spent reading directions, there will be five fewer minutes available to answer questions. So, study the directions ahead of time.
2. Know what to expect. Questions of the same type are grouped together. Except for the critical reading questions, the easier questions are at the beginning of the section and the harder questions are at the end.
3. Do the easy questions first. Students earn just as many points for an easy question as they do for a hard question.
4. Know how the test is scored. Students earn one point for each correct answer. They lose a quarter of a point for a wrong answer on a multiple-choice question. They do not gain or lose points if they omit a question. No points are deducted for wrong answers on the student-produced response questions in the math section.
5. Guess smart. If students can rule out one or more answer choices for a multiple-choice question as definitely wrong, their chances of guessing the right answer improves.
6. Do not panic if you cannot answer every question. Students do not have to answer every question correctly to get a good score.
7. Omit questions that you really have no idea how to answer. No points are lost for omitting a question. But students should not forget tip number 5.
8. Be careful when filling in the grids on the answer sheet for the math questions that are not multiple-choice questions.
9. Use your test book to do scratchwork. Students should use the test book to do scratchwork, to cross off answers they know are wrong, and to mark questions they do not answer so they can go back if there is time. Remember to mark your answers on the separate answer sheet since you will not receive any credit for any answers marked in the test books.
10. Know the answer sheet. It has four pages and students need to know what answers go in which sections.
11. Do not make extra marks on the answer sheet. The answer sheet is machine-scored, and the machine cannot tell the difference between an answer and a doodle.
12. Mark only one answer for each multiple-choice question. Students should also check occasionally during the test to make sure that they are marking the correct question on the answer sheet.
13. Check the time. Here is where the watch comes in handy. You should be monitoring your time so that you will have enough time to complete most or all of the sections.
14. Take the PSAT. It has the same kinds of questions as the SAT 1 but it is a shorter test.

What to do and expect

What students should bring to the test center:

• The Admission Ticket
• Two #2 pencils and a good eraser
• Acceptable identification
• An acceptable calculator

• A watch with an audible alarm
• Food or drink
• Scratch paper
• Notes, books, dictionaries
• Cellular telephone or pager

Test Day

Students should plan to arrive at the test center between 8:00 and 8:15 a.m. on the day of the test. Testing starts about 8:30 a.m. and ends about 12:30 p.m. There will be a short break at the end of each hour of testing time.

Other things to know:

• For the SAT I, students must work within each section of the test only for the time allotted. No one is permitted to go back to a section once that section has ended or to go ahead to finish a section early.
• No matter which test students take, the test supervisor will guide them through the testing process and provide all the necessary instructions.

Top 10 Test-Day Tips

1. Be equipped. On the night before the test you should gather everything you will need: the admission ticket, a valid form of photo identification, several #2 pencils, a calculator, a watch and a high-energy snack to satisfy your brain.
2. Do NOT cram. You have worked hard. The best thing to do the evening before the test is to get a good night's sleep. You have covered the contents and you have perfected the skills. Now it is time to get in the test mode - calm, rested, confident, and ready.
3. Dress in layers. The climate in test centers can vary from sauna-like to frigid. Be prepared for both extremes and everything in-between. You need to be comfortable to do your best.
4. Arrive early. You may want to scope out your test location before test day to ensure that you know where you are going. Getting to the test should be the least of your concerns.
5. Do NOT spend too much time on one question. Each question is worth the same number of points. If a question is confusing or too time-consuming, do not lose your cool. Instead, move on to greener pastures. You can come back to hard questions if you have time at the end.
6. Do NOT look for unscored question/sections. The experimental section on the SAT is well-camouflaged. Do your best on every question.
7. Keep track of where you are in a section. On the SAT, obvious answer choices early in a set may be correct. Obvious choices near the end of a set are often booby traps.
8. Guess aggressively. If you do not know an answer, do not leave the answer blank or guess randomly. Eliminate the choices you know are wrong, then make an educated guess from the remaining options.
9. Be careful filling in the answer grid. Make sure you are filling in answers next to the right numbers.
10. RELAX. Your attitude and outlook are crucial to your test-day performance. Be confident.

Helpful SAT sites:

• http://www.collegeboard.org
• http://www.testprep.com
• http://www.prepusa.net
• http://www.ets.org
• http://www.kaplan.com
• http://www.review.com
• http://www.familyeducation.com
• http://www.powerprep.com
• http://www.freevocabulary.com
• http://www.satmath.com

What about the SAT II?

The SAT II: Subject Tests are multiple-choice tests in specific subjects that last an hour. These tests measure the skills or knowledge in a specific subject and your ability to apply that knowledge.

There are many colleges that recommend students to take one or more of the Subject Tests for admission or placement. The college can use your score as well as other factors (transcript, SAT scores, teacher recommendations) to measure your academic achievements and to predict how well you will do academically in the future.
To recap, colleges can use SAT II: Subject Test scores to:

• Help determine how well prepared you are
• Place you in classes as a college freshman
• Advise you on the courses you may take in college

What subjects are available in the SAT II?

• Literature
• Writing

• American History and Social Studies
• World History

• Mathematics Level IC
• Mathematics Level IIC

• Biology E/M
• Chemistry
• Physics

• German
• Modern Hebrew
• Italian
• Latin
• Spanish

• Chinese
• French
• German
• Japanese
• Korean
• Spanish
• English Language Proficiency

Tips

1. Know when. Take the Subject Tests when the content of the subject is still fresh in your mind. Usually, the content is still fresh by the end of a course for the subject or after several years of studying the subject.
2. Know what to expect. Become familiar with the test and its organization of the tests you want to take. Look in the booklet called, "Taking the SAT II: Subject Test" which includes some examples of the types of questions.
3. Know the test directions. The longer you spend on directions, the less time you will have to answer the questions.
4. Do the easier questions first. The easier questions are in the beginning so do them first since you earn as many points for easy questions as you do for hard ones.
5. Know how the test is scored. Don't forget that you get one point for each correct answer and you lose a fraction of a point for each incorrect answer.
6. Guess smart. Try to rule out two or three of the choices for a multiple-choice question as wrong. This way, you have a better chance of getting the right answer correct.
7. Use the test book for scratchwork. You bought the book so you can use it to cross off wrong answers or to make calculations. However, put the answer on the answer sheet.
8. Make sure you do not make extra marks on the answer sheet. The extra mark may be counted as an answer so you will lose at the end.
9. Get familiar with the SAT II answer sheet. You can find a copy of the answer sheet in the back of the SAT II bulletin.
10. Use a calculator on the Math Level IC and Math Level IIC tests only.

Test and Service Fees

As of the 2001-2002 school year, the basic registration/reporting fee is $13.00. Even though this fee is included in the SAT I test fee, it is not included in the SAT II: Subject Test fee. The fee has to be added to the fee required by the kind of test you wish to take.
The fees are:

• Writing Tests - $11.00
• Language Tests with Listening - $8.00
• All other Subject Tests - $6.00 each.

So, you add up the basic fee with the fee required by the specific subject test you want to take to get the total amount needed to send to the College Board.

Other Helpful Facts:

• You can take up to three SAT II: Subject Tests on a single test date.
• You must indicate which Subject Tests you plan to take when you register for the test. However, you can change your mind right up to the test date (except for Language Tests with Listening, including the English Language Proficiency Test [ELPT]). There is no need to call to make a change, just tell the test supervisor.

Check the College Board website (in window below) for updated information on test fees, test dates and more..