SAT Exam
Introduction
- The Scholastic Assessment Test, which is commonly referred as SAT, is a standardized test widely used by colleges and universities to provide admissions abroad.
- Originally named as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, it was debuted by the College Board in 1926.
- It was later renamed as the Scholastic Assessment test. Over the years, it has been renamed multiple times; SAT I: Reasoning Test, then the SAT Reasoning Test, then the SAT.
- It is a multiple-choice exam that measure a candidate’s readiness to attend college.
- Earlier, candidates seeking admission to a particular test needed to take the SAT subject test. However, in June 2021, the College Board discontinued SAT Subjects.
- The SAT scores are valid for five years, but only recent exam scores are considered.
- For full details: www.collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat
Why SAT
- Candidates aspiring to get enrolled in undergraduate programs in the United States of America (USA) appear for SAT exam.
- Most colleges in USA and Canada require SAT scores for admission to undergraduate courses.
- SAT scholarships are also offered by many colleges to candidates based on the SAT scores.
Who can take SAT
- It is a pencil-paper test taken by candidates who aspire to pursue undergraduate courses in US and Canada.
- Most colleges in USA accept either SAT or American College Testing (ACT) scores for admissions to undergraduate programs. Candidates must check the requirement of their preferred institutions before applying for the exam.
- SAT exam will go digital in 2023 and will be a two-hour test. According to the College Board, international students will be able to give digital SAT in 2023, and US high school students will be able to give from 2024.
Registration
Candidates can register for SAT exam through online method on the official website or offline method via mail.
Candidates shall create a login ID on the official website of the College Board and go ahead with the following steps of registration process:
Candidates can also register by mail by following these steps:
- There are limited number of seats in every testing center. Candidates are advised to book the exam slots in advance to avoid unnecessary hassle.
- Candidates can download the SAT admission ticket from the official website. Test takers must check the credentials on the admission ticket and get it rectified in case of an error at the earliest.
Dates & Deadlines
- SAT is conducted 5 times in a year in US and India, usually in the months of March, May, August, October, and December.
- The test is usually conducted on the first Saturday of the month.
- After taking the SAT, students may cancel their scores up until the Wednesday after they have taken the exam.
- SAT scores are valid for five years.
- For all important dates and deadlines, visit: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat
Eligibility
The College Board has not laid down any specific eligibility criteria for candidates who wish to take the SAT exam.
- There is no specific age limit fixed for candidates. Mostly candidates of age group 17 to 19 years are among the highest to appear for this exam.
- There are no restrictions imposed by the College Board on the number of times candidates can take the test.
- SAT exam is taken by students who wish to pursue undergraduate courses. Therefore, candidates should have successfully completed their high school education to move to next level of learning.
Exam Fee
The registration process for SAT exam requires candidates to pay an examination fee. The details of the same are given below:
- The fee for SAT exam is $55. Additionally, candidates have to pay non-US regional fee ($49 for India). The total SAT fee in India is $104.
- The fee for SAT exam with essay is $68. Additionally, candidates have to pay non-US regional fee ($49 for India). The total SAT exam fee with essay in India is $117.
- Candidates who wish to cancel their exam shall receive a refund of $10 only if the candidate cancels the test 5 days in advance.
- Candidates who wish to reschedule the exam date or test center will have to pay rescheduling fees as mentioned below:
| Date or test center change fee before regular change deadline | $25 |
| Date or test center change fee after regular change deadline | $35 |
| Late registration fee | $30 |
| Registration by phone | $15 |
| Waitlist fee | $33 |
Checklist of Documents
- Passport and Aadhar card are two mandatory identification proof required to complete SAT registration in India.
- Candidates who apply through offline mode will have to send a photograph 2x2 inches or no more than 2.5x3 inches in size with name, date or birth, and high school code written on the back of it.
- In case, the test taker is taking the exam as a part of talent search program, they must provide additional documents supporting it.
- Candidates must carry the admission ticket to the test center on the day of the test.
Mode of Examination
- SAT is a written exam. There are total 154 multiple choice questions.
- The total duration of the exam is 3 hours. Candidates who apply for SAT exam with essay are given 50 minutes extra.
Exam Syllabus
SAT syllabus includes the courses that test takers have already studied in their schools. There are three sections in the exam:
Scores
- SAT exam has a total score of 1600. the reading and writing section have a score range of 200-800 and the mathematics section has a score range of 200-800.
- There are additional sub-scores on a scale of 20-80.
- An average SAT score is around 1000 and scores above 1200 are considered to be good.
- Candidates receive four scorecards. Candidates can choose to send scores to colleges upto nine days of taking the test by paying an extra $12 at the time of registration.
- Based on SAT scores, candidates from economically weaker sections can apply for fee waivers or scholarships.
- Candidates can request for score verification within five months after the test day.
- Candidates who are not sure about their exam performance can also choose to cancel SAT scores at the test centre or later by writing to the College Board.
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