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SAT
The two most commonly required undergraduate admission tests are the SAT Reasoning Test and the Subject Tests. The SAT Reasoning Test measures the critical thinking skills you'll need for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well you analyze and solve problems — skills you learned in school that you'll need in college.
You may be asked to take two or more Subject Tests for admissions or placement purposes. There are a total of 20 subject tests covering English, foreign languages, mathematics, sciences, history, and social studies. Some colleges specify which subject tests you must take.
SAT Reasoning Test
The SAT is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors. It is administered seven times a year in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. Territories, and six times a year overseas. The class of 2006 is the first class to take the new SAT for college admissions. The total testing time for the new SAT is 3 hours and 45 minutes.
Registration
Online - Register the fast and easy way on College Board Online at www.collegeboard.com.
SAT Test Score Validity
The SAT test score is valid for 5 years.
Purpose of the SAT Reasoning Test
The SAT Reasoning Test is a measure of the critical thinking skills you'll need for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well you analyze and solve problems—skills you learned in school that you'll need in college.
SAT Question Types
Each edition of the SAT includes a Critical Reading, Math, and Writing section, with a specific number of questions related to content.
The Writing Section Overview
| Time | Content | Item Types | Score |
| 60 min. | Grammar, usage, and word choice | Multiple choice questions (35 min.) and student-written essay (25 min.) |
200-800 |
Short Essay
The short essay measures your ability to:
- Organize and express ideas clearly
- Develop and support the main idea
- Use appropriate word choice and sentence structure
You'll be asked to develop a point of a view on an issue, using reasoning and evidence - based on your own experiences, readings, or observations - to support your ideas.
The essay will be scored by trained high school and college teachers. Each reader will give the essay a score from 1 to 6 (6 is the highest score) based on the overall quality of the essay and your demonstration of writing competence.
Multiple-Choice
The multiple-choice writing questions measure your ability to:
- Improve sentences and paragraphs
- Identify errors (such as diction, grammar, sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, proper word usage, and wordiness)
The Critical Reading Section Overview
| Time | Content | Item Types | Score |
| 70 min. (two 25-min. sections and one 20-min. section) | Critical reading and sentence-level reading | Reading comprehension, sentence completions, and paragraph-length critical reading | 200-800 |
The critical reading section, formerly known as the verbal section, will include short reading passages along with the existing long reading passages. Analogies have been eliminated, but sentence-completion questions and passage-based reading questions remain.
The Critical Reading Section measures:
- Sentence Completions
- Passage-based Reading
The Mathematics Section Overview
| Time | Content | Item Types | Score |
| 70 min. (two 25-min. sections and one 20-min. section) | Number and operations; algebra and functions; geometry; statistics, probability, and data analysis | Five-choice multiple-choice questions and student-produced responses | 200-800 |
The SAT will include expanded math topics, such as exponential growth, absolute value, and functional notation, and place greater emphasis on such other topics as linear functions, manipulations with exponents, and properties of tangent lines.
Important skills formerly measured in the quantitative comparison format, such as estimation and number sense, will continue to be measured through the multiple choice and student response (grid-in) questions.
Can I use a calculator?
Yes. Students can use a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator. The College Board recommends that students use a calculator at least at the scientific level for the SAT, although it's still possible to solve every question without a calculator.
The Math Section has two types of questions:
- Multiple Choice
- Student-Produced Response Questions
The Unscored Section
In addition, there is one 25-minute unscored section, known as the variable or equating section. This unscored section may be either a critical reading, math, or multiple-choice writing section. This unscored section does not count toward the final score, but is used to try out new questions for future editions of the SAT and to ensure that scores on new editions of the SAT are comparable to scores on earlier editions of the test.
Test Order
The 25-minute essay will always be the first section of the SAT, and the 10-minute multiple-choice writing section will always be the final section. The remaining six 25-minute sections can appear in any order, as can the two 20-minute sections. Test takers sitting next to each other in the same testing session may have test books with entirely different sections
Score Information
The new SAT will have three scores, each on the familiar scale of 200 to 800. Your score will include writing (W 200-800), mathematics (M 200-800), and critical reading (CR 200-800). The writing section will contain two subscores.
Your math and reading scores on the new SAT can be compared to the existing math and verbal scores. This is something colleges need for consistency in admissions requirements. However, the SAT writing score is completely new.
All students will have access to a free, more detailed online score report that is accessible via collegeboard.com. Via this online report, each student can access a copy of their essay.
For certain test dates, the Question-and-Answer Service (QAS) is available for a fee. You can see the actual questions and correct answers, as well as whether you answered correctly, incorrectly, or omitted the question. QAS includes information on question types and levels of difficulty. You will have access to a copy of your essay via your free online score report.
For all other test dates, Student Answer Service (SAS) is available. SAS does not provide the actual questions, but it does send you a list of question types and difficulty levels, along with a description of how you answered the questions. Again, you will have access to a copy of your essay via your online score report. Check registration materials or collegeboard.com to determine whether your test date is eligible for QAS or SAS.
Getting Your Scores
SAT score reports are mailed about three weeks after the test. (Some scores may take longer to report.)
Where Your Scores Go
If you requested that your scores be sent to colleges or scholarship programs, a report will be sent to each of them within three weeks after the test date. If you listed your high school code number on the Registration Form, your high school will also receive a copy of your score report.
Your Score Report
Your score report displays all your scores. For your most recent scores, score ranges and percentiles are also given.
Want more advice and information?
Go to www.collegeboard.com.
SAT Subject Tests
Registration
Online - Register the fast and easy way on College Board Online at www.collegeboard.com.
SAT Test Score Validity
The SAT test score is valid for 5 years.
Purpose of the Subject Tests
Subject Tests (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests) are designed to measure students' knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as their ability to apply that knowledge.
Students take the Subject Tests to demonstrate to colleges their mastery of specific subjects like English, history, mathematics, science, and language. The tests are independent of any particular textbook or method of instruction. The tests' content evolves to reflect current trends in high school curricula, but the types of questions change little from year to year.
How Are the Scores Used?
Many colleges use the Subject Tests for admission, for course placement, and to advise students about course selection. Used in combination with other background information (your high school record, scores from other tests like the SAT Reasoning Test, teacher recommendations, etc.), they provide a dependable measure of your academic achievement and are a good predictor of future performance.
Some colleges specify the Subject Tests they require for admission or placement; others allow applicants to choose which tests to take.
Subject Test scores can help you demonstrate your achievements. Many colleges that don't require Subject Tests will still look at your scores to learn more about your academic background.
Subject Tests fall into five general subject areas:
English
Literature
History and Social Studies
U.S. History (formerly American History and Social Studies)
World History
Mathematics
Math Level 1 (formerly Math IC)
Math Level 2 (formerly Math IIC)
Science
Biology E/M
Chemistry
Physics
Languages
Chinese with Listening
French
French with Listening
German
German with Listening
Spanish
Spanish with Listening
Modern Hebrew
Italian
Latin
Japanese with Listening
Korean with Listening
All Subject Tests are one-hour, multiple-choice tests. However, some of these tests have unique formats:
- The Subject Test in Biology E/M contains a common core of 60 general-knowledge multiple-choice questions, followed by 20 multiple-choice questions that emphasize either ecological (Biology E) or molecular (Biology M) subject matter. After completing the core questions, test takers choose the section for which they feel most prepared.
- The Subject Tests in Math (Level 1 and Level 2) have some questions that require the use of at least a scientific or graphing calculator. Mathematics Subject Tests are developed with the expectation that most students will use a graphing calculator. There are no plans to discontinue or change the content of the Subject Tests in Math Level 1 or Math Level 2.
- The Subject Tests in Languages with Listening (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish) consist of a listening section and a reading section. Students taking these tests are required to bring an acceptable cassette player with earphones to the test center.
Which Subject Tests should you take?
To find out which test(s) you should 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. Additionally, some colleges require specific Subject Tests while others allow you to choose which tests you take. It's best to check directly with the college admissions offices.
Many colleges that don't require Subject Test scores will still review them since they can give a fuller picture of your academic background.
When should you take Subject Tests?
Most students take Subject Tests toward the end of their junior year or at the beginning of their senior year.
Take tests such as World History, Biology E/M, Chemistry, or Physics as soon as possible after completing the course in the subject, while the material is still fresh in your mind. For foreign language tests, you'll do better after at least two years of study.
Score Information
Getting Your Scores
SAT score reports are mailed about three weeks after the test. (Some scores may take longer to report.)
Where Your Scores Go
If you requested that your scores be sent to colleges or scholarship programs, a report will be sent to each of them within three weeks after the test date. If you listed your high school code number on the Registration Form, your high school will also receive a copy of your score report.
Your Score Report
Your score report displays all your scores. For your most recent scores, score ranges and percentiles are also given.
Will Your Scores Change If You Take the Test Again?
Subject Tests measure your knowledge of a particular subject. If you continue to study the subject and take the test again, your score should reflect your increased knowledge. If you take the test again without any additional preparation, your score may be higher or lower than it was on the previous test.
Want more advice and information?
Go to www.collegeboard.com.
