SAT is the abbreviation for the Scholastic Aptitude Test. In 1993, the test was renamed the SAT (i): Reasoning test. At the same time, the former Achievement tests were renamed the SAT (ii): Subject test. In 2004, the numerals "(i)" and "(ii)" were dropped and the tests are now named the SAT Reasoning Test (or just SAT) and SAT Subject Tests. SAT is a simple and recognizable way of referring to the SAT Reasoning Test.
Acceptance of SAT
Nearly every college in America accepts the SAT or Subject tests as a part of its admission process. For this reason, more than two million students take the SAT every year.
SAT Reasoning test
The SAT Reasoning test is an assessment of the critical thinking skills students need for academic success. The SAT judges how well students can analyze and solve problems—skills learned in school and needed in college. The SAT is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors.
SAT Reasoning test has two writing subjects: multiple choice items and the essay. Each of these sections is scored on a range of 200-800. It is administered seven times a year in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. Territories, and six times a year overseas.
Question nature of SAT
The SAT includes several different question types, including a student-made essay, multiple-choice items, and student-made responses (grid-ins). SAT is associated with critical reading, mathematics, writing etc.
The Unscored section
There is an unscored section that is operated to ensure that the SAT continues to be a fair and valid test. This section takes 25 minutes. This is a common test development practice, but this does not calculate to your score. This may be a critical reading, mathematics, or writing multiple-choice section. This unscored section is used to seek for new question patterns for future editions of the SAT. It also ensures that scores on new editions of the SAT are comparable to scores on earlier editions of the test. This helps to ensure the fairness of the SAT.
Arranging the SAT test
The SAT is comprised of 10 total testing sections. The first section is a 25-minute essay and last section is a 10-minute multiple choice writing section. Sections two through seven are 25-minute sections. Sections eight and nine are 20-minute sections. Test-takers sitting next to each other in the same session may have test books with entirely different content orders for sections two through nine (math, critical reading, and writing).
Duration of test
You require arriving at your assigned test center by 7:45am and the test should be completed between 12:30 and 1 p.m. The total time for the SAT is 3 hours and 45 minutes (excluding breaks, check-in time, and pre-administration activities). But the timing of the test could be otherwise instructed. The total time you should plan on being at the test center is about five hours.
Scores of SAT
The SAT has three scores, each on the range of 200 to 800. Your score includes writing (W 200-800), mathematics (M 200-800), and critical reading (CR 200-800). Two subscores are given for the writing section: a multiple choice items subscore on a scale of 20-80, and an essay subscore on a scale of 2-12.
Difference between SAT and Subject test
The SAT evaluates the critical thinking skills you'll need for academic success in college. It assesses how well you examine and solve problems. SAT scores are used for college admission purposes because the test predicts college success. The Subject tests are one-hour, primarily multiple choices tests in specific subjects. Subject test evaluates knowledge or skills in a specific subject and your ability to apply that knowledge.
Reappearing SAT test
Students can take the test as many times as they need. Their official score report illustrates their current test score, in addition to scores for up to six SAT and six Subject Test administrations.
Choosing the proper test
To find out which test or tests you need to take, contact the colleges you are interested in attending to determine admissions requirements and deadlines. Most colleges require the SAT for admission and many other schools require both the SAT and Subject tests for admission purposes or placement. Furthermore, some colleges require specific Subject tests while others allow you to choose which tests you take. It is wise to be sure about the tests by direct contact with the college admissions offices.