Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

What is the SAT?

While high school grades are a very useful indicator of how students will perform in college, there is great variation in grading standards and course rigor within and across high schools. More than 80 years ago the College Board created the first standardized college entrance test to help colleges and universities identify students who could succeed at their institutions and to connect students with educational opportunities beyond high school.

Today, the SAT is the benchmark standardized assessment of the critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills students have developed over time and that they need to be successful in college. Each year, more than two million students take the SAT. Nearly every college in America uses the test as a common and objective scale for evaluating a student's college readiness.

Educators trust the SAT as a useful part of the college application process because the SAT is:

• The most researched standardized admissions test
• The standard in reliability and validity
• An internationally recognized, accurate measure of college readiness and scholarship potential

What are the SAT Subject Tests?

SAT Subject Tests are the only national admission tests that measure students' knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, and their ability to apply that knowledge. They are closely linked to the high school curriculum and have a proven track record of providing colleges with a highly reliable, objective assessment of student readiness for college-level work. The SAT Subject Tests give students an additional opportunity to distinguish themselves and showcase their skills in a particular subject area.

Why should students take the SAT?

Students and parents often ask why it is important to take the SAT. Reasons include:

• All colleges accept the SAT as an objective measurement of students' college readiness.
• Used with GPAs and high school transcripts, SAT scores allow colleges to fairly compare applicants.
• Taking the SAT gives students access to scholarship opportunities.
• Most colleges require an admission test like the SAT. 
• The SAT provides students with the most comprehensive performance feedback of any admission test.

Many institutions require a writing assessment for admission. Students who take the SAT automatically fulfill such requirements. 

SAT Includes:

• SAT Reasoning Test
• SAT Subject Tests

SAT Test Format

SAT Reasoning Test Format:

SAT Subject Test Format:

SAT subject test can be divided into 5 general areas – English, History and Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, and Languages. college may require one or more of the subject tests for the purpose of admission and placement. SAT subject test consists of multiple choice questions. It should be noted that there are some subjects for whom questions are asked in a unique pattern.

SAT Eligibility Criteria

There are no eligibility criteria for SAT. You can take it during your Class XI or even after the XII boards. Just keep your college application deadlines in mind as admission decisions are largely dependent on SAT scores (along with GPA, transcript, recommendations, etc.).

Online, mail, and phone registration resources for the SAT

Students must register in advance for the SAT to ensure that the correct materials are waiting for them at the test center. With registration, each student receives:

• An assigned test center seat
• An Admission Ticket—by Web, email, or postal mail
• Up to four score reports sent to colleges and scholarship services

Registration is easy. Help your students choose the best registration method:

• Online registration is the fastest, most accurate method. It gives immediate confirmation of the test center seat and access to an online Admission Ticket for corrections and reprinting.
• Mail registration is sometimes required. Students who provide an email address on the form will receive tickets by email only. Paper registrants who do not provide an email address or who indicate on the form that they want to receive a paper ticket as well will continue to receive an Admission Ticket in the mail.
• Phone registration is offered for retaking the test. A fee applies. Only students who have a previous registration in the system can register by phone.