The
New SAT
The SAT measures critical reading, higher
mathematics, and writing skills—the elements that are
considered essential for success in college. The New SAT will
take 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete and includes the following
three scored sections:
- Critical
Reading—short and long reading passages, plus
sentence completion.
- Mathematics—advanced
math topics including Numbers and Operations; Algebra I,
II, and Functions; Geometry; and Statistics, Probability,
and Data Analysis.
- Writing—an
essay, plus a multiple-choice section on improving sentences
and paragraphs, and identifying sentence errors. On the
essay portion you will be asked to choose a position on
a topic, and then logically support that position. There
is no correct answer; it’s about how persuasive your
argument is and how well you present your views. You will
be given all the information you need to choose your position
and write the essay without having prior knowledge of the
subject.
Colleges and universities use the SAT as a
primary determinant in the admissions process, and a high
SAT score increases your chances of admission to the college
of your choice. During the admissions process SAT scores are
compared with the scores of other applicants, and scores can
also be used as a basis for awarding merit-based financial
aid.
Scoring
Each main section is scored on a scale of
200 to 800—one score for Math, one for Critical Reading,
and one for Writing. Your total score will range between 600
and a perfect 2400. The Writing section has two subscores—a
multiple-choice subscore on a scale of 20-80 and an essay
subscore of 2-12.
Score
reports are available on the College Board’s website
(www.collegeboard.com) approximately 2 weeks after the test
date. Score reports are mailed 3 ½ weeks after the
test date.
When
to take the SAT
We recommend
that students take the SAT in the spring of their junior year,
and possibly again in the fall of their senior year. The PSAT
is offered in October and is usually taken in the student’s
sophomore year or fall of their junior year. The test is administered
several times a year and the SAT can be taken multiple times
with no penalty.
How
to Register and pay for the SAT
All registration
must be done through the College Board, the makers of the
SAT. You can register for the test online at www.collegeboard.com
or by calling (800) 728-7267.
The new
SAT costs $41.50. This includes score reports sent to four
colleges of your choosing. Additional score reports are $6.50
each. Fee waivers are available for disadvantaged students
to help defray the costs of the test.
* Some
information drawn from the College Board website.
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