SAT Exam Full Form is Scholastic Assessment Test, while previously it was called Scholastic Aptitude Test
The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is an entrance exam which is used by most of the colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper standardized test created and administered by the College Board. It is taken by those students who wishes to get admission for under graduation in US universities and colleges. It also accesses the readiness of a student if he or she can go to the college or university undergraduate programme.
The basic purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student’s readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. The officers of college admission will analyse and review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and your personal essays. The importance of SAT scores for the college application process vary from school to school.
The history of SAT
The history of SAT is also quite interesting. The SAT was renamed as the SAT Reasoning Test (or known as SAT I) in 1993. The former Scholastic Achievement Test was also renamed as the SAT Subject Tests (or known as SAT II).
Most students opt the SAT in 11th or 12th Grade, some even earlier, in 10th Grade. Almost all colleges and universities in the United States and many colleges worldwide use the SAT to make admission decisions.
How SAT exams are conducted?
The SAT is a standardized test specifically designed to measure important skills required for academic success at tertiary level. The current version of SAT contains three main sections: measuring basic critical reading, math, and writing skills, as well as open category not included in the final score.
The SAT is mainly created, owned, and published by The College Board, a not-for-profit organization based in the United States. It has been administered since 1926. The present day SAT exams are intended to test a student’s readiness for joining the college. It is basically designed to test a student’s mathematical aptitude, reading comprehension, essay writing ability, and knowledge of basic high school level grammar concepts.
Functions of SAT:
The functions of SAT are as follows:
- SAT is not an IQ or intelligence test: The college board states the SAT tests the literacy, writing, and mathematical competency skills required to thrive in foreign universities.
- SAT as an evaluation tool: SAT and the ACT are the only objective, standardized metrics that American universities have at their disposal to evaluate students. Because the meaning of a particular GPA can vary widely from school to school, and because colleges are so inundated now by applications, admissions committees need a shortcut to help them in evaluating the competency of their applicants.
Advantages of SAT exam:
If you are wondering why you should consider to take the SAT test, there are several reasons which clearly explain the significance of undertaking an SAT examination:
- It improves your English reading, writing and also holds the scope of improving your English speaking skills
- It improves your numerical knowledge
- SAT results are considered for scholarship/endowment
- In comparison of other entrance exams, the fees for the SAT is not very high
- Most of the colleges and universities in the United States accept the SAT for under graduation level degrees
- SAT fully prepares a student with the basic level of knowledge in English and Maths.
- Scoring is considerably easy
- It expands your general knowledge along with improving the essential history and social science knowledge
The structure of SAT Exam:
The new structure offered by SAT is composed of four sections and an optional essay. These are composed of:
- Two mathematics sections, one which allows a calculator, and one which does not (25 minutes 20 questions in first section and 55 minutes 38 questions in second section).
- One reading comprehension section (65 minutes 52 questions).
- One writing + language section. (35 minutes 44 questions).
- An optional essay (50 minutes permitted)
Scoring of SAT exams:
The marks scored by a student in maths from both the sections are combined to create a 200 to 800 math score. A student’s reading score scales from 100 to 400 points. A student’s writing plus language score scales from 100 to 400 points. Both the reading and writing plus language scores are added together to create a single “evidence based reading and writing score” from 200 to 800 points. These two scores are added together for a 400 to 1600 point final scaled score. The essay is counted and scored separately, and it thus, does not affect a student’s scaled score. Each section is delivered full complete discipline under strict time limitations, which contributes to the wide variety of student scoring.
SAT Registration Requirements
- First of all, You have to mind the date of registration for the attempt you are targeting. SAT is conducted every year in August, October, December, March, and May.
- You have to get yourself registered at least a month before the test. Normally the last dates expire beyond that.
- Registrations through mail or even telephone also should be completed before the international deadlines.
- The SAT exam fee differs from center to center so you should check with your exam center.
- Many exam centers may charge some extra fees for any extra facility they are providing to their students. So, you should check in advance about that to be well prepared.
International SAT Exam Dates (Expected)
Expected International SAT Exam Dates are as follows. Please confirm the exam dates on regular intervals before & near the exam date because due to any unavoidable reason(s) (like Corona Epidemic in 2020), the dates may get changed without prior notice.
Year 2020
August 29, 2020
September 26, 2020
October 3, 2020
November 7, 2020
December 5, 2020
Year 2021
March 13, 2021
May 8, 2021
June 5, 2021
Conclusion:
Those students who are truly ambitious to improve their knowledge and skills and to move in foreign countries to earn more and get settled should really think of taking the SAT exams for their bright and better future. Such opportunities play a big role in helping you to take a big jump towards your dreams and goals.