What is SAT®?
| FAQs on SAT®
What is SAT®?
There are two types of SAT Exams:
- SAT Reasoning Test or SAT I
- SAT Subject Test
SAT Reasoning Test or SAT I
A standardized test, SAT I
measures Verbal, Mathematical and Writing skills. The test
intends to primarily aid Undergrad Schools to assess the
potential of the applicants for advanced study. Universities
in the US, while inviting applications from prospective
students, ask for SAT I scores.
The examination is entirely a paper-based Test. The test is
scored on a maximum of 2400. The SAT I score alone cannot
guarantee admission into a school - the test is only one of
the major factors taken into consideration in the long
process of an applicant getting admitted into a graduate
school he/she desires.
SAT I has three sections – Critical Reading, Maths and
Writing. The following is the SAT I test structure.
SAT Subject Test or SAT II
Subject Tests (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests) are designed
to measure a student’s knowledge and skills in particular
subject areas, as well as his ability to apply that
knowledge. Students who want to apply to the Top 15-20
universities in the US are required to take SAT Subject
Test.
The examination is entirely a paper-based Test. The test is
scored on a maximum of 800. SAT® II Subject tests
are one-hour tests offered in the following subjects:
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths Level 1, Maths Level 2,
English Literature, US History, World History and Languages.
The US-based College Board develops and administers both the
SAT I and SAT II. College Board is responsible for setting
questions, conducting the test and sending score reports to
each examinee. For detailed information about SAT, please
refer the official website of SAT – www.collegeboard.com
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FAQs on SAT®
Q1. Does admission to universities depend only on SAT scores?
Q2. What is the cost/registration fee for SAT I and SAT II?
Q3. How do I register for the SAT?
Q4. What if I miss the deadline for registering for SAT?
Q5. How many times in a year is SAT exam held?
Q6. How many times can I take SAT?
Q7. What is the validity of the SAT exam?
Q8. What is the scoring pattern?
Q9. How soon do I get my score?
Q10. What happens if I want to cancel the SAT test score?
Q11. How do I pass on my score to the college?
Q12. Do universities consider photocopies of the SAT scorecard?
Do I have to send scores through College Board?
Q13. If I take SAT more than once, which score will be considered
by the universities?
Q14. Do I need to have the SAT score at the time of applying to
universities?
Q15. Is SAT mandatory for applying to undergrad programs outside
India?
Q16. Which SAT II exams should I take?
Q1. Does admission to
universities depend only on SAT scores?
Ans. It is one of the various criteria that the admission
council looks at. However, a good SAT score does improve
chances of admission and financial aid.
Q2. What is the
cost/registration fee for SAT?
Ans. The registration fee for taking SAT I is USD 99. The registration fee for SAT II is USD 83.
Q3. How do I register
for the SAT?
Ans. You can register online or by mail. The detailed
information about registering for the SAT can be found at www.collegeboard.com
Q4. What if I miss the
deadline for registration for SAT exam?
Ans. You can go to the test centre directly with your passport, photo and take the test as a Standby option if seats are available. And additional fees of USD 41 would be charged.
Q5. How many times in
a year is SAT exam held?
Ans. Both SAT II and SAT I are offered 6 times a year in India. They are offered in May, June, October, November, December and January.
One cannot take SAT I and SAT II on the same day. Also, only 3 SAT IIs can be taken on one day.
Q6. How many times can
I take SAT?
Ans. SAT can be taken unlimited number of times.. (It is
highly advisable not to appear for SAT too many times as it
may affect the applicant’s candidature).
Q7. What is the
validity of the SAT exam?
Ans. Your SAT score will be valid for 5 years after from
the date the test was taken
Q8. What is the
scoring pattern?
Ans. SAT I: Scoring is between 600 (Minimum) and
2400 (Maximum) with 10-point increment. Three scores are
reported on the SAT I:
- Critical Reading score reported on a 200-800 score scale, in 10-point
increments
- Mathematics score reported on a 200-800 score scale, in 10-point
increments
- Writing score reported on a 0-6 score scale, in half-point increments
SAT II: Each SAT II is scored between 200 (Minimum)
and 800 (Maximum) with 10-point increment.
Q9. How soon do I get
my score?
Ans. The scores are available 3 weeks after the exam date.
Q10. What happens if I
want to cancel the SAT test score?
Ans. You should ask the test supervisor for a “Request to
Cancel Test Score’ form. You may submit the completed form
immediately, or you can do it with 2 days of the Exam. ETS
must receive the request form no later then Wednesday after
the test.
Q11. How do I pass on
my score to the colleges where I want to apply to?
Ans. The universities only accept official scores sent
directly by College board. Scores to four colleges can be
sent free of cost from the time of SAT registration to one
week after the SAT exam. Subsequently, for each score report
sent to a college, you would have to pay $9.50.
Q12. Do universities
consider photocopies of the SAT scorecard? Do I have to send
scores through College Board?
Ans. No, photocopies are not accepted. You have to send
your scores only through College Board.
Q13. If I take SAT more
than once, which score will be considered by the
universities?
Ans. Almost all the universities take the best score.
Q14. Do I need to have
the SAT score at the time of applying to universities?
Ans. No, you do not need to have the SAT score with you at
the time of applying.
Q15. Is SAT mandatory
for applying to undergrad programs outside India?
Ans. No, not all the undergrad programs outside India
require SAT.
All students who wish to pursue there Bachelor’s in U. S and
the top schools in Canada are required to SAT I Exam.
Students who want to apply to the top 15-20 universities of
the US require SAT II scores as well.
Q16. Which SAT II exams
should I take?
Ans. A student who wishes to pursue Bachelor of
Engineering should take Math Level II and Physics or
Chemistry. While a student who wants to pursue Bachelor of
Business should take Math II, English.
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