What is the

SAT?

Answer: A standardized test required by most colleges and universities for admission.*
Frequently Asked Questions about the SAT
Q: What is on the SAT? A: The SAT comprises (or is composed of) 10 sections.

Section 1 is a 25-minute essay. Sections 2 to 7 consists of two 25-minute Reading sections. two 25-minute Math sections. one 25-minute Grammar section. one 25-minute Experimental section which can be Reading, Math, or Grammar. (Note: this section does not count toward the final score.) Sections 8 to 9 consists of one 20-minute Reading section. one 20-minute Math section. Section 10 is a 10-minute Grammar section.

*For further information about the SAT and SAT test dates, visit the CollegeBoard website at www.collegeboard.org

Q: What is a good SAT score? A: The national average is around 1500 (i.e., around 500 for each part). Obviously, a score above the national average is preferable to one that is not. How much above the national average depends on the college(s) you plan to apply to. A good way to determine a score you need for college admissions is to analyze the Middle 50 score ranges for colleges you are interested in. Q: How long is the SAT? A: Three hours and forty-five minutes (without breaks).

Q: When is the SAT offered? A: During the calendar year, the SAT is offered in January, March, May, June, October, November, and December. Q: How many times can a student take the SAT? A: Most students take the SAT once or twice. However, a student can take the SAT as many times as he or she wants. Keep in mind that SAT scores do not tend to increase much over a short period of time (i.e., a month). Colleges tend to look at a students best scores. Q: Do colleges average a students SAT scores? A: No. Q: Is the SAT the most important criterion for college admissions? A: No. However, for many colleges, it is an important qualifier among other qualifiers, such as grades. Q: Can the ACT be a substitute for the SAT? A: Yes and No. It depends on the college a student is applying to. Much of the ACT resembles the format of the SAT; however, the levels of difficulty of the questions on the ACT are considered easier than those on the SAT. Some of the more competitive schools are very aware of the differences between the two tests. Q: When should a student take the SAT? A: When the student feels most prepared. A good strategy is to start developing skills for the SAT at the onset of high school. SEED recommends that a student take the PSAT in his or her sophomore year (October of 10th grade) and use the PSAT score as an indication of how much he or she needs to prepare for the PSAT in junior year. The summer before junior year is an optimum time to prepare (by enrolling into SEED) for both the PSAT and SAT. Q: How can a student best prepare for the SAT? A: Since every student is different, how each one prepares for the SAT will depend on his or her abilities. Please meet with a SEED Advisor for skill assessments and course/program recommendations.

Breakdown of the SAT

Generally, every correct answer gives you a point while every incorrect multiple choice question subtracts a fraction of a point from your raw score. Questions not answered neither add nor deduct from a raw score. Reading and Math raw scores are directly converted to scaled scores (i.e., 200 to 800). The Writing scaled score is determined by the essay score and the Grammar raw score.

Reading

sections

total time

questions

score range

Two 25-minute sections One 20-minute section

minutes

70

19 Sentence Completion questions 48 Reading Comprehension questions

200 to 800

Nearly 3/4 of the Reading Comprehension questions are Extended Reasoning questions. That means more than half the Reading Score is based on a students ability to think analytically.
There are three types of Reading Comprehension questions: Literal Comprehension questions that test the ability to understand what is directly presented in a passage Vocabulary-in-Context questions that test the ability to determine the meaning of a word (or phrase) in the context (i.e., situation) of a passage. Extended Reasoning questions that test the ability to draw a conclusion from or evaluate information in a passage.

Math

sections

total time

questions

score range

Two 25-minute sections One 20-minute section

minutes

70

10 Grid-in (student-produced) questions 44 Multiple Choice questions

200 to 800

Most of the Math questions involve problem solving without extensive knowledge of mathematics. Even though students are allowed to use calculators, all of the questions can be solved without one. That means most the Math Score is based on a students math skills and ability to solve.
Number and Operations integers, arithmetic word problems, number lines, squares and square roots, fractions and rational numbers, elementary number theory, ratios, proportions, percents, sequences, sets, counting problems, and logical reasoning. Algebra and Functions algebraic operations, factoring, exponents and roots, equations, absolute value, inequalities, linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, rational equations and inequalities, direct and inverse variation, word problems, and algebraic functions. Geometry and Measurements notations, points and lines, angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, areas and perimeters, other polygons, circles, solid geometry, geometric perceptions, coordinate geometry, and transformations. Data analysis, Statistics and Probability

Writing

sections

total time

questions

score range

One 25-minute essay One 25-minute section One 10-minute section

minutes

60

25 Improving Sentences questions 18 Identifying Sentence Errors questions 6 Improving Paragraphs questions

200 to 800

The Grammar questions and the Essay test a students ability not only to write clearly and effectively but also to recognize clear and effective writing. The Essay is scored by two readers and their combined score ranges from 2 to 12. A combined essay score of 8 indicates an average essay. A student does not need a 12 to get a 800 on the Writing, but he or she will need more than an 8. Essays are usually worth from 120 to 190 points on the 200 to 800 scale. The Grammar questions are usually worth from 200 to 680 points on the 200 to 800 scale.

With the exception of the essay and 10 grid-in Math questions, the SAT is composed of multiple choice questions.

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