What is SAT and Who Should Take It?

The letters SAT stand for Scholastic Aptitude Test. It is a paper-based standardized test required for application to most colleges and universities in the US. High SAT scores will increase your chances of securing admission. You may also get scholarship offers.

There are two SAT tests: SAT I and SAT II. SAT II subject tests are not usually required by colleges.

Who should take SAT?

SAT is taken by high school students who wish to pursue higher education in the US. SAT scores also determine a student’s eligibility to receive academic scholarships.

The SAT I

The SAT I tests a student’s skills in critical reading, mathematics, and writing. SAT isn’t necessarily a test of your knowledge. It tests your academic skills which are developed over the years you spent in school. Any one can have high SAT scores if they appear for the test with enough preparation.

The Critical Reading Sections

The SAT I contains three critical reading sections: Reading comprehension, Sentence completions and Paragraph-length critical reading. Two of these sections take 25 minutes, and the other takes 20 minutes. In the reading comprehension test, there will be lots of passages followed by questions. You have to answer these questions using the information given in the passages. The sentence completion problems will require you to fill in the blanks with appropriate word or words. To secure good scores, you must have a strong vocabulary and the ability to understand complicated sentences.

Math section

The SAT contains three Math sections: Algebra and functions, Geometry Statistics, Probability and Data analysis. Two of them take 25 minutes, and the other takes 20 minutes. There will be 54 questions in all. 44 of them are multiple-choice. For the remaining ten questions, you will have to find answers on your own. The SAT math will have questions from algebra, geometry, statistics and mathematical operations. There will also be questions that test your ability to interpret graphical and tabular data.

The Writing Sections

The SAT writing has three sections: One 25-minute essay section, and two multiple choice sections lasting 25 minutes and 10 minutes. The SAT writing sections will assess your ability to improve writing samples, identify writing errors, and produce your own clear, coherent essay.

How Long is the SAT?

The test takes 3 hours and 45 minutes overall. That includes three critical reading sections, three math sections, three writing sections including an essay section, and an experimental section that may resemble any of the aforementioned sections. No section lasts more than 25 minutes.

How Long Do I Need to Prepare?

That depends on your test taking skills. If you have a strong vocabulary, you may only need two months of preparation or less. But if your vocabulary is weak and your test-taking skills aren’t great, plan for at least 3-4 months of regular preparation. During the preparation you must try to build vocabulary, improve test-taking strategies, and review mathematics.

When Should I Take It?

Students who plan to apply to colleges that require SAT scores should take their first SAT no later than the spring of their junior year, in case they will need to re-test to try to achieve a higher score.

What is SAT and Who Should Take It?