A common standardized test for college admissions in the US is the Scholastic Assessment Test or SAT. It is an important phase in the application process for many colleges and universities and is intended to evaluate a student’s readiness for college. High school students normally take the SAT in their junior or senior year. It assesses their knowledge and proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics.
Here are things you should know about SAT:
Sections
The SAT is divided into three main sections: evidence-based reading and writing (EBRW), math, and an optional essay. The EBRW section includes reading, writing, and language components. The math section tests both problem-solving skills and mathematical content. The essay section, while optional, is recommended by some colleges and universities.
Scoring
Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 800 points, with a total possible score of 400 to 1600 (combining the EBRW and Math sections). The optional essay is scored separately on a scale of 6 to 24. The scores help colleges evaluate a student’s academic abilities and readiness for college-level work.
Duration
The SAT, including the Essay, takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes to complete. Without the Essay, it is shorter, with a duration of approximately 3 hours.
Format
The SAT is primarily a multiple-choice test, but it also includes grid-in questions in the Math section where students must provide their answers. The optional Essay section requires students to write an essay in response to a prompt.
Content
The SAT is designed to assess a student’s critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. The content is aligned with the high school curriculum and is meant to be a fair and consistent measure of college readiness.
Registration and Fees
Students can register for the SAT online through the College Board website. There is a registration fee, but fee waivers are available for eligible students who may have financial constraints.
Test Dates
At this time, registration is open for all students for the entire 2023–24 testing year. All deadlines expire at 11:59 p.m. ET, U.S. These test dates and deadlines apply to international students taking the digital SAT. For U.S. students taking the paper and pencil SAT in the fall, please refer to the U.S. dates and deadlines.
| SAT Test Date* | Registration Deadline | Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation,
and Late Registration |
|---|
| Nov 4, 2023 | Oct 5, 2023 | Oct 24, 2023 |
|---|
| Dec 2, 2023 | Nov 2, 2023
Register | Nov 21, 2023 |
|---|
Preparation
Many students prepare for the SAT by studying test materials, using practice tests, and considering test prep courses. Various study guides and resources are available to help students familiarize themselves with the format and content of the exam.
College Admissions
While the SAT is an essential part of many college applications, it is not the only factor considered in the admissions process. Colleges typically review a student’s academic record, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and essays in addition to their SAT scores.
Latest News
Even though some colleges and universities made the SAT exam optional at the start of the pandemic, the number of students taking the test at least once is rising back to pre-pandemic levels.
According to the college board that administers the test, more than 1.9 million students in the graduating class of 2023 took the test. That marks an upswing from a major decline in test takers between the graduating classes of 2020 which finished high school just after the onset of the pandemic, and 2021 (more than 2.1 million versus more than 1.5 million respectively).
Yet even as the number of test takers grows, the average total score on the test’s math reading and writing sections remains on a bit of a decline since 2017. At the same time, new data from researchers highlights how students from wealthier households are more likely to score higher on standardized college admissions tests such as the SAT and the ACT.
