The SAT is a standardized test widely used for college admissions. The SAT is owned and operated by the College Board, a private, nonprofit organization. The test is intended to assess a student’s readiness for college. The new SAT, introduced at the beginning of 2016, takes 3 hours to finish plus 50 minutes for the SAT with essay. The SAT consists of three major sections: Critical Reading, Mathematics (with and without a calculator), and Writing.
Getting Started with the SAT Test:
- Getting Ready: Information about test dates and deadlines, fees, locations, and more.
- Test Prep: Hone your skills with in-depth preparation guides and practice questions.
- Your Scores: Explore more information about viewing, sending, and understanding your test scores. This page also contains sample reports as examples to help you in understanding your score.
- Register:
- Information regarding what you’ll need to register for the SAT
- Create your free College Board account. A parent or counselor cannot register for the student.
Inside each section of the Test:
- Reading: In the Reading Test, students will encounter questions like those asked in a lively, thoughtful, evidenced-based discussion.
- Mathematics: The SAT Math Test covers a range of math practices, with an emphasis on problem solving, modeling, using tools strategically, and using algebraic structure. The Math Test will focus in depth on the three areas of math that play the biggest role in a wide range of college majors and careers. Those are:
- Algebra, which focuses on the mastery of linear equations and systems;
- Problem Solving and Data Analysis, which is about being quantitatively literate;
- Passport to Advanced Math, which features questions that require the manipulation of complex equations.
The Math Test also draws on additional topics in Math, including the geometry and trigonometry most relevant to college and career readiness.
- Writing and Language Test: The SAT Writing and Language Test asks you to be an editor and improve passages that were written especially for the test – and that includes deliberate errors.
- SAT Essay: The redesigned SAT Essay asks you to use your reading, analysis, and writing skills. The SAT’s essay component has had a total makeover. It is now optional but some schools still require it. To find out if your college choices require it, go here. You have 50 minutes to complete your essay, 25 minutes more than the required essay that was a part of the SAT students took before March 2016. You will not be asked to agree or disagree with a position on a topic or to write about your personal experience.
Taking the Test
- Test Day Checklist
- What to Expect on Test Day
- ID Requirements
- Calculator Policy
- Phone and Electronic Device Policy
- Test Security and Fairness
Note: When registering for the SAT, you will be given the opportunity to send your test scores to various colleges for admissions purposes. If you intend on playing sports at the collegiate level, you will need to send your scores to the NCAA or NAIA as well.
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