The Universal Guide to the SAT exam - 2024
Exam dates, Registration, Syllabus, Results, Scores....
Looking to do your Bachelor’s abroad? Not sure where to start?
No need to worry! We are here to fill you in on the details about the whole process concerning the SATs!
So, what is the SAT?
Let’s dive into detailed information on the SAT exam.
Table of Contents
1. What is the SAT?
• SAT for Undergraduate Courses
• SAT for Indian Colleges
• Why Study Abroad?
• Global Access – University requirements
• Why SAT?
2. SAT Requirements
• What is the eligibility for SAT?
• What is the SAT registration fee?
• How to register for the SAT?
3. What happens after the SAT?
• SAT Results and College Applications
• Scholarships
4. What does the test contain?
• Reading
• Writing & Language
• Math
• Essay
5. How to prepare for the test?
• 5 ways to get a good score
• SAT test day checklist
• Why is SAT Online coaching better?
• Galvanize – Concise Test Prep
6. Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the SAT?
SAT stands for Scholastic Assessment Test, which was renamed from Scholastic Aptitude Test.
The SAT is a test conducted internationally to test the students’ eligibility to pursue higher education (undergraduate programs) in select institutions across the world, especially in America.
It is managed by the Educational Testing Service, which works under the College Board, a private, not-for-profit organization in the USA. The exam aims to evaluate the students’ reading and writing proficiency along with their arithmetic ability.
Admission for Undergraduate Courses
Waiting for your Board exam results and trying to figure out your next big step? The SAT is exclusively for students aspiring to make it to one of the best Admission for undergraduate programs across the world.
Your score in the SAT can get you an opportunity to learn from the best in the field you’re most passionate about!
SAT scores for Indian Colleges
It just doesn’t end there! SAT scores are now accepted in Indian colleges too!
The College Board has launched the College Board Indian Scholars Program and invites applicants from across the country with different economic backgrounds to participate in the SAT.
Students who score 1350 out of 1600 can get into any member university of the Indian Global Higher Education Alliance. Certain institutions waive the tuition fees and even provide scholarships according to your score and economic status.
In India, more than twenty of the top universities accept SAT scores for admission.
Why Study Abroad?
For the past two decades, students have been flocking towards countries like the USA, Canada and UK to secure admissions in the best universities of the world.
The high standards of education in these countries and the state-of-the-art facilities their universities provide for education are primary reasons for this phenomenon.
In the competitive environment prevalent at present, it is prudent for students to look beyond the options available within India and aim for universities across the globe to pursue quality education.
Global Access
One of the most popular perceptions of the SAT is,
“Isn’t SAT a popular exam in the US, how is it relevant for Indian students?”
You can study in world-renowned institutions no matter where you’re from!
The Scholastic Aptitude Test acts as one of the gateways to your dream courses that can establish a strong career for you in the long run.
- Institutions that offer you state-of-the-art resources, both in terms of the course and infrastructure.
- You will be equipped with a set of unique social skills due to the vast multicultural exposure at your institution which can help you gain a competetive edge over the others in the global platform.
What next? You have to pick the right university that best suits your needs. Where will you find the right package to get you on the right track? It’s not hard to guess because the popularity of this educational hub has grown multifold! The United States of America is indeed the land of opportunities for those looking for exponential growth. There are so many universities for you to choose from and here’s the creamy layer of the lot!
We have even given below the ideal score that is expected from you in these Ivy league universities. You can set your target accordingly and work towards it!
Name Of College | SAT Requirements Reading And Writing |
SAT Requirements Math |
---|---|---|
Harvard University | 710-800 | 720-800 |
Yale University | 710-800 | 710-800 |
Princeton University | 690-790 | 710-800 |
California Institute of Technology | 740-800 | 770-800 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 700-790 | 760-800 |
Columbia University | 700-790 | 710-800 |
The University of Chicago | 720-800 | 730-800 |
University of California | 620-750 | 650-790 |
Stanford University | 680-780 | 700-800 |
*The mentioned universities have been listed randomly and follow no particular order.
*The given data is from a survey conducted in 2016.
These world-class institutions can facilitate a holistic development through a more heuristic approach to teaching and learning. Want to know more? Here’s where we can start!
Why SAT?
Benefits of the SAT exam
- By writing the SAT, you can apply to multiple universities.
- There is no negative marking on the SAT.
- You can retake the SAT as many times as you want.
- There is no age limit for the SAT
- The test is conducted many times a year.
- This test easily makes you eligible for a number of scholarships.
- If you have a low GPA, you can still pursue your dreams with the SAT scores.
The SAT Subject Test
There is a special SAT Subject Test where the assessment relies entirely on the subject matter related to the chosen course of study. This test can easily validate your command over a particular subject and you can take the SAT Subject Test without the SAT!
- There are 20 subject tests which come under five broad areas like English, History, Mathematics, Language and Science.
- It is scored on a 200-800 scale and should be written in one hour.
- You can take upto three tests on a given test date.
- You cannot write the SAT and SAT Subject Test on the same day.
- Some universities specifically ask for an SAT subject test according to the course.
- Some students consider taking an SAT Subject Test when they have low SAT scores.
- 1/4th of a mark is deducted for every wrong answer.
SAT exam Requirements & Eligibility
SAT Eligibility
There are no specific requirements in terms of age or educational qualification. The SAT is taken for gaining admission for undergraduate programs, so the majority of the test takers are high-schoolers.
SAT Fees
As International students, you will be asked to pay an additional regional fee (non U.S. Regional Fee) along with the International SAT Registration Fee.
International Registration Fee | Regional fee Math |
Total fee | |
---|---|---|---|
SAT only | $ 49.50 | $ 49 | $ 98.50 |
SAT with Essay | $ 64.50 | $ 49 | $ 113.50 |
Students who are not capable of meeting the financial requirements are eligible for a fee waiver when certain criteria are met. The SAT Fee Reduction Voucher is given to those applying for Indian universities.
SAT Registration Requirements
- Create a free College Board account and log in.
- Give your full, legal name as mentioned on your Photo ID and also upload your photo as per the requirements. Acceptable forms of identification are either a valid Passport or an Aadhaar Card with your name, photograph and signature.
- Fill in the other details according to your choice, but keep in mind that providing a few specific details can help colleges and scholarship organizations find you.
- Check if the colleges that you’ve chosen require an essay as a part of the admission criteria and choose accordingly.
- Sunday Testing is not available in India.
- And don’t forget to take a hard copy of your admission ticket!
SAT Registration Dates
As international students (India), you will have a different set of registration and test dates. You will have to register by 11:59 pm, Eastern Time, U.S.
Test Date | Last Date of Registration | SAT availability |
---|---|---|
March 14, 2020 | February 14, 2020 | Yes |
May 2, 2020 | April 3, 2020 | Yes |
June 6, 2020 | To be updated | To be updated |