About the SAT

Choosing a college or university to suit your needs and further your education can be time consuming, exhausting and extremely confusing. There is so much information that needs to be considered as far as finances, grade point averages for acceptance, locations, transportation, and of course, the entrance examinations. College expectations have changed over the years as far as testing is concerned, and the SAT itself has even been revamped, and renamed. But through it all, the SAT continues to play an important role in the admissions process.

History

The original SAT test was developed in 1941 and at that time the letters SAT, stood for Scholastic Aptitude Test. In more recent years, the College Board has decided that the term "aptitude" has created such a controversy, that the abbreviation SAT would no longer be linked to it, and instead, stand alone.

Identification

There are two types of SAT tests that are offered for college bound students. It is important to check with the colleges that you will be applying to, in order to find out what their expectations are regarding each test. While some of the schools may only require you to take the SAT I, others may require both the SAT I and SAT II, in order to be considered for admissions.

The SAT I is comprised of multiple choice questions that measure the amount of knowledge that you have acquired throughout your years as a student. The test is broken down into two sections, math and verbal. You will be expected to analyze and solve math equations, math sentences, reading comprehension questions, and a variety of other questions that should look familiar to you if you have paid attention to your classroom studies.

The SAT II test is a little different than the SAT I. This is more of a specialized test that measures how much you have digested from your specialized classes such as, history, literature, science and foreign language studies. Usually one hour long in length, with an added 20 minutes for essay, this test is not always a requirement for college admissions, but can be an added plus to your college resume if you have gone the extra mile and taken it on your own.

Time Frame

If you are in the process of choosing your future college, then it is also time to begin making plans to complete your testing. The SAT tests are usually taken by students in their senior year, but it is not uncommon for students to have all ready completed them in their junior year and even their sophomore year of high school.

Function

Although colleges do take your SAT scores into consideration, it is important to remember that your entire student record is important to an admissions counselor. With that said, the SAT tests are indicative of your level of learning, and can play a persuasive role in your college acceptance. The SAT I consists of three parts all with a value of 500 points. There is a raw score, which is the total score of questions answered correctly. Once this has been calculated, the score is recalculated using a bell curve, which is a national average. This is the score that the college admissions offices will be concerned with.

Geography

Testing locations vary depending on your geography, and registration for the SAT tests can be done online. This service, offered by the College Board, can help you narrow down a test center close to your home or school, and even allow you to pick a test time and date to conveniently fit your scheduling needs. Just remember, that once you are registered, the College Board expects you to show up. There is a fee to change your requested test time and date, and a cancellation fee. The Fee for the SAT I is $45, and the SAT II is available at a cost of $20. But if finances are rough, and you are considering not taking the SAT tests due to a lack of financing, help is available. Ask your high school guidance office for a "fee waiver" which is an option offered by the College Board for students who have a financial hardship, but still want to go to college. In this case, the testing fee will be suspended, and paid once the student enters college via a Federal Student Financial Aid Program.

Considerations

Before taking the either of the SAT tests, you may wish to consider preparing for these tests by taking the PSAT, first. The PSAT is like a test run of what the actual SAT test will look like, and is an ideal way to prepare you for the real thing. Your high school guidance office can provide you with locations and times offering this very useful preparation tool. Another option is an SAT preparation course which can be taken through on an online company, or learning centers in your area. Check with your guidance counselor for the availability of this service through your school or affiliate program.

Resources

• College Board SAT registration
• TestMasters SAT preparation course