The SAT Reasoning Test

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What is the SAT?

The SAT, Scholastic Aptitude Test, measures reading, math, and writing skills, as well as specific knowledge for difference academic subject areas in the Subject Tests. It is used by American colleges and universities as an indicator of the applicant’s academic caliber, or how they might be expected to perform in a college-setting. The SAT test is required of prospective students applying to undergraduate programs of study in the USA and Canada. There are two separate exams for the SAT: the SAT Reasoning Test (formerly SAT I) and the SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT 2). The SAT Reasoning Test measures general verbal and math reasoning skills and does not require any specific knowledge. The 22 SAT Subject Tests are designed to identify student’s expertise in a particular academic subject, such as literature, history, languages, chemistry, biology, math, physics, and others.

Test details

Critical Reading
Test time: I hour 10 min. (two 25-min. sections and one 20-min. section)
Test format: Reading comprehension, sentence completions, and analytical reasoning
Areas tested: Critical reading and sentence-level reading

Math
Test time: I hour 10 min. (two 25-min. sections and one 20-min. section)
Test format: multiple-choice questions and student-produced responses
Areas tested: Number and operations; algebra and functions; geometry; statistics, probability, and data analysis

Writing
Test time: 1 hour
Test format: Multiple choice questions (35 min.) and student-written essay (25 min.)
Areas tested: Grammar, usage, and word choice

Unscored Section
Test time: 25 min
Test format: multiple choice section of test materials
Areas tested: critical reading, math or writing multiple choice questions

Registration

You have to register at least 5 weeks before the test day. There are two registration options: online registration at the College Board website and registration by submitting a special form from the SAT Bulletin. You cannot register online if you are less than 13 years old, if you are registering online for the first time for a Sunday test session, or if you are in a country that prohibits registration online. See the SAT section of the College Board website for more information on test registration deadlines and restrictions: http://www.collegeboard.com/

Scoring

All sections are scored on a scale of 200-800, with separate subscores reported for essay and writing responses. Your score depends not only on your test performance but also how well you did on the test against all other test takers. You may not answer all questions correctly and still receive a good score, provided that all other test-takers give fewer correct answers than you.

Test prep

We offer SAT preparation courses that covers all sections of the test. The course includes the theoretical part (with complete and easy-to-follow reviews of grammar and math), and an extensive practical part for you to sharpen your test-taking skills and practice the test content.