Seeking admission abroad for undergraduate studies isn’t a walk in the park, especially since you have to compete with millions of students for a few thousand seats. Hence, it is crucial to prove your mettle to the college admission board through your SAT scores.
The Scholastic Assessment Test (earlier Scholastic Aptitude Test) is a standardized test conducted by the College Board for students who wish to study abroad, especially in the USA and Canada. It is a pencil-paper MCQ test that evaluates your written, verbal and mathematical skills.
There are two kinds of SAT:
The SAT 1 is a generalized test that assesses your English, Mathematics, Science, verbal and written skills. Meanwhile, the SAT 2 is a more subject-focused examination to gauge your mastery in subjects like English, Mathematics, Biology E/M, Physics, Chemistry, World History, US History, Foreign Languages, etc.
However, the College Board has discontinued Subject Tests in the USA from June 2021. Only a few colleges require/recommend the Subject Tests. So, it’s best to check the admission criteria thoroughly.
There have been several notable changes in the SAT exam in recent years:
The College Board has discontinued SAT Subject Tests for the USA from June 2021.
Due to the COVID-19 lockdown travel and public gathering restrictions, millions of students could not take the SAT in 2020-2021. As a result, many institutions have made SAT optional.
The College Board has announced that SAT will go digital from 2023-2024. Students will be able to take the exam online from designated test centers. Other notable changes you must take note of are:
Most educational institutions in the USA require SAT or ACT (American College Testing) scores for admission to their undergraduate degree programs. High scores in both can grant you excellent scholarships to fund your higher education abroad. However, if you're stuck wondering which exam to take, this comparison chart can help you out:
| SAT | ACT |
|---|---|
|
1.
Contains science-related sections but no complex all-out science questions. |
1.
The science section contains 40 questions and focuses more on data interpretation than factual questions. |
|
2.
The SAT Mathematics section contains less than 10% geometry and less than 5% trigonometry. |
2.
Approximately 30-45% of Mathematics questions focus on geometry, while approx. 7% focus on trigonometry. |
|
3.
Does not test matrices and logarithms. |
3.
Tests on matrices and logarithms. |
|
4.
Tests on matrices and logarithms. |
4.
Does not provide any math formulas. |
|
5.
Test structure contains Reading, Writing & Language, Math, and Essay (optional – discontinued by the College Board from June 2021 in many places). |
5.
Test structure contains English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning, and Essay (optional). |
|
6.
Provides more time for each section. |
6.
You'll be under a time constraint. |
The academic year 2020 saw 2.2 million candidates for the SAT and 1.7 million students for the ACT. In addition, an increased number of students opt for both.
However, it's best to remember that neither is easier than the other. Both tests have their pros and cons depending on your preferences. So, it's best to check whether the college you wish to apply to requires an SAT or ACT score. If luck is on your side, they'll accept either.
The College Board has not mentioned any specific eligibility criteria to take the SAT examination.
There is no specific age limit to appearing for the SATs. However, since SAT scores are required to gain admission to undergraduate courses in the USA and Canada, it is recommended that you should be at least 15 years old (11th standard) before taking the exam.
While there’s no upper limit to the total number of times you can take the SAT, the ideal limit is 4. Too many attempts can send a wrong signal to the colleges and make it seem like you're not serious about the exam. So, avoid more than 5 attempts at the test.
There are no specific education criteria for the SATs. However, given the questions and topics you'd have to answer, it's best to attempt the exam in the 10th-12th standard.
On the exam day, you must carry ID proof to enter the test center. Here’s a list of valid ID proofs:
You can register for the SAT via online and offline modes.
You can also register for the SAT via mail. For that, you need to:
If you wish to cancel your SAT exam, you can do so from your My SAT account on the College Board's official website.
Schedules can change without warning. That’s why you have the option to reschedule your SAT. For that, you must:
On the day of the test, you should bring:
When registering for the SAT, you need to provide a recent photo. On the day of the test, the staff at the test center will compare the photo on your ID proof to the one you upload. So, you must follow the photo requirements:
You can complete the payment process for SAT using:
Funding higher education abroad can be an expensive affair. That’s why the College Board has partnered with several universities across the USA, Canada and other countries to provide merit-based scholarships to students with high SAT scores.
Impressive SAT scores and an excellent academic track record can land you an automatic scholarship at universities like:
And more! The merit-based scholarships you can aim for are:
The SAT exams are conducted seven times a year. The month and date change depending on your country and the available dates at your nearest test centers. The anticipated upcoming dates for the exam in 2023 are:
There are several authorized SAT centers located worldwide. For example, India has over 50 centers across 30 cities, including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Delhi NCR, etc. Check the official College Board website for a complete list of all the available test centers in every country.
The SAT contains two main sections – Evidence-based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Mathematics. In addition, there is an optional essay section that has been recently discontinued since 2021. The SAT essay is only available in states where the essay score is required for SAT School Day administrations. Therefore, the pattern for 2023 is as follows:
| Section | Sub-sections | No. of Questions | Duration (in minutes) | Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence-based Reading & Writing | Reading test | 52 | 65 | 200-800 |
| Writing & Language test | 44 | 35 | ||
| Mathematics | Without a calculator | 20 | 25 | 25 |
| With a calculator | 38 | 55 |
Since the SAT evaluates your Reading, Writing and Mathematics skills, the syllabus you need to cover for each section is:
The topics you'll encounter will be from:
The mathematics syllabus consists of:
The SAT score ranges between 400 to 1600 in total, with each section (Evidence-based reading & writing and Mathematics) on a scale of 200-800. The average SAT score of the class of 2020 was 1051.
Your SAT score report contains the following information:
When registering for the SAT, every test-taker gets to send four free score reports within 9 days of taking the test to the colleges of their choice. However, there's a catch! These scores are tentative and might not be your best. So, to send your best scores after receiving your actual results, you must pay an additional $12 to send the scores to the universities. To send this SAT score, you must:
The total score you can receive in your SAT ranges from 400 to 1600, with each of the two sections (EBRW and Mathematics) being 200-800 each. However, the calculation is slightly tricky.
For the Evidence-based reading & writing and Mathematics sections, you receive an initial raw score within the 10-40 scale. This raw score is then converted to the 200-800 scale.
If you feel unsure about your SAT, you can cancel your scores in two ways:
There’s no shortage of SAT preparation books to help you familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and question types. However, of the hundreds of books available, the most notable ones are:
These books have an excellent collection of sample papers and critical tips to help you ace your exam.
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Register NowYou need to choose a program that you want to pursue after high school or graduation. Next, check if your dream university includes that course in its curriculum. If not, you need to look for other similar better options. Don’t worry if you are confused. Our team is here to guide you thoroughly about study abroad options.
The requirements vary depending on what and where you want to study. Primarily, you need to show your previous academic credentials and study abroad readiness. Each abroad university follows its own specific eligibility criteria. Thus, it is best to consult with professionals to know exactly what your dream college is expecting of you.
The duration of the study programs again depends on the course you are pursuing. In general, an undergraduate course takes about three-four years to complete. Masters courses, however, take around two years. There are shorter courses available as well. Our team can guide you through the length of each study program.
Studying abroad gives you a lifetime opportunity to explore diverse cultures and locations. It not only prepares you for college but also for life. You make friends from all over the world. It is an excellent way to study and work abroad and gain a global perspective.
Listen to your guts when it comes to choosing a study destination. Do your research carefully so you can make a decision without regrets. You can attend webinars to get personal advice concerning this matter. And the easiest way is to connect with our experts and opt for a thorough consultation.
Study abroad consultants recommend students try the SATs during the Fall of their junior year or during September-October in 11th grade. Taking the exam during this time will familiarise you with the exam pattern and complexity. Then, you can take the SAT again during the Fall of your senior year or during April-May after your 11th-grade final exams.
Yes, you can take the SATs after completing 12th grade. Usually, students appear for the SAT during 11th grade because they don’t want to take a gap year and apply for colleges in the USA and Canada right after their higher secondary board exams. However, if you wish to strengthen your profile, it’s best to take the exam after your 12th.
The College Board that conducts the SATs has not stated any specific eligibility criteria to apply for the exam. Ideally, it is recommended that students above 9th grade should appear for the exam since it can be challenging for those younger. However, even if you receive a good SAT score before completing your 12th, you must complete high school before applying to any college.
The difficulty level of the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is completely subjective, but as long as you prepare for the exam thoroughly, it shouldn't be too tough. The SAT is significantly easier than the American College Testing (ACT) since you don’t have to tackle matrices and logarithms. You also get more time to solve each section compared to the ACT.
The SAT score ranges from 400 – 1600, with the average score in India being around 1200-1400. According to the College Board, the US national average for 2021 was 1088. Generally, any score above 1200 is an excellent score to gain admission to some of the top colleges in the USA and Canada. However, if you're aiming for Harvard, MIT or Stanford, your scores should be above 1500.
While the SAT scores remain valid for years because they don't have any official expiration date, experts recommend not to use scores older than five years or more to apply for colleges in the USA. This is because the SAT keeps changing exam patterns and scoring rules, making older scores less valuable. So, always check the SAT score validity for a particular university during the application process.
SAT scores aren’t only applicable if you wish to pursue higher studies in the USA or Canada. Several Indian colleges accept the scores for admission to their degree programs. Some universities on the list include the following:
To begin preparations for the SATs, you should –
Students usually take at most six months to prepare for the SATs. If you plan to appear for the exam during high school, you'll need a longer time to prepare since you'll have to juggle classes, assignments and SAT prep. During this time, it's ideal to spend around 5 to 25 hours per week throughout the course of 3 – 6 months to cover all SAT topics.
If you're comfortable tackling the SAT by yourself, there's no compulsion to sign up for SAT preparatory classes. Some of the best books you can consult during your preparation are:
These books have a good collection of sample papers to help you ace the exam.
The earlier you begin preparing for the SATs, the easier it becomes to tackle them later. Ideally, starting your prep from 8th grade (around 13 – 14 years of age) would be best. Since the academic pressure in school during this time is negligible, you can dedicate more time focusing on the SATs. Almost 80% of students begin their preparation by the time they’re 15 years old.
