The Scholastic Aptitude or Assessment Test is now known as the SAT
Reasoning Test and is an examination that all high school students are
required to take in order to get into college. The Educational Testing
Service conducts the SAT but it’s the College Board that computes the
results of the test. The Components of the SAT There are three primary parts that make up the SAT: critical reading
and writing and lastly, mathematics. Each part is further divided into
three sub-sections. There are ten sub-sections all in all, with one
sub-section made up of questions that are only included for
experimental purposes. This particular sub-section can belong to any of
the three major parts of the SAT and results are excluded from the
overall score.
Majority of the questions in the SAT provide students with multiple
choices for their answers. The SAT takes five hours to complete.
Questions are mostly arranged according to their level of difficulty.
SAT Schedules, Candidates, and Fees
The SAT is administered to students seven times a year. It is only in
the months of February and July to September that there is a hiatus for
SAT takers. The schedule also alternates between March and April in
administering the test. Their respective schools in registering for the
test will usually assist students who wish to take the SAT.
If, however, such assistance is unavailable for a student, he may
register by mail, telephone or online correspondence. Registration must
be done at least three weeks prior to the preferred SAT testing
schedule. The SAT costs approximately $40 to $50 although fees vary for
international test takers.
SATs are administered on a Saturday but students who have valid
reasons for requesting to take the test on a Sunday instead may always
request for a change in test schedule to the appropriate authorities.
Approval however depends on a case-to-case basis. Test takers with
certain disabilities are given allowances in order to take the test
with comfort. Again approval for such privileges depends on a
case-to-case basis.
How SAT Scores are tallied
A scale of 200 to 800 is used for each section, bringing the total
score for SAT to 2400. One raw point is given whenever a student
provides the right answer but 1/4th of a point is subtracted from the
student’s score whenever he provides the wrong answer. The scoring
system is set up in such a way that a student will not benefit if he
were to randomly guess the answer.
How to Get It Right on the SAT Essay Question
The first part of the test that you will be asked to answer is the
essay category and which represents 30% of the final score for the
Critical Writing category of the SAT. The essay question is typically
general and philosophical in nature. To effectively answer the essay
part, students are usually advised to use various sources for their
answer by citing situations and drawing examples from their personal
life, history, the arts and so forth.
Tips on Preparing and Taking the SAT
Study at least six months prior to your preferred testing date. As the
SAT tests you on the knowledge you’ve gained throughout the years, make
sure that you don’t overlook any important subject in your review. For
best results, create an outline in order to review for the SAT
methodically and efficiently.
Avoid cramming. This can only cause you to experience added stress
and anxiety about the upcoming SAT. If you wish to study on the night
before your testing date, you can simply review the main principles of
each subject matter. Do your best to enjoy a good night’s sleep before
the exam.
In the critical reading section, your vocabulary and ability to
comprehend the text provided are being tested. If you’re finding it
difficult to determine the right choice in vocabulary questions, cross
out what you feel are immediately inapplicable to further narrow your
choices. For reading comprehension questions, skim the text provided to
get the gist then look up details when you have the time.
In the critical writing question, it’s all about finding the choice
that completes the sentence or thought in the clearest possible way.
As for math questions, consider using variables if you feel unable
to solve a problem. For grid-in questions, it’s important to provide an
answer even if you’re unsure of it because this won’t be counted
against you.
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