What is SAT entrance exam 2024 and how to crack it?

What is SAT exam, and how to prepare for it?

The SATs are an important metric that universities use to measure a high school student’s readiness for college. If you have just started researching, and know nothing about SAT exam, preparation, or other details, then read ahead. This blog covers all the details you need to know.

What is SAT exam all about?

Let’s begin with knowing the SAT exam’s full form, i.e., the Scholastic Aptitude Test. It is a standardized assessment test created by the College Board (a non-profit US entity) for students applying to colleges and universities. Higher education institutes all around the world now use it along with high-school grades, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities to assess the aptitude of applicants.

SAT exam details

SAT exams take place 7 times a year in different regions at different intervals. Particular centers in nearly every country get to conduct at least 5 tests in a year. As per the revised SAT exam pattern, it is a three-hour-long test that comprises two sections (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing [EBRW] and Mathematics). The essay writing is an optional section.

SAT exam patterns and SAT scores

What is the SAT exam, its pattern, and SAT exam subjects? The scores on the SAT exam are between the range of 400-1600. The SAT reasoning exam has 3 main sections. We are going to break down the existing SAT exam pattern into parts.

Section 1 & 2: EBRW (Total Question: 96, Time Limit: 100 minutes, Score Range: 200-800)

EBRW has two parts- a Reading Test and a Writing and Language Test.

• Reading Test: 52 questions with a time limit of 65 minutes
• Writing and Language Test: 44 questions with a time limit of 35 minutes

Improve your SAT reading score by creating a passage reading strategy that works for you. Take an official SAT test for the reading section. Set a timer and see if you can complete the section in time. Lastly, analyze your section, know your weakness, and work upon them. This will help you with your time management skills along with creating a perfect strategy for the test. 

Section 3: The mathematics portion also has a score range of 200-800:

• Math with a calculator: 20 questions in 25 minutes
• Math without a calculator: 38 questions in 55 minutes

Your SAT math test practice is incomplete without memorizing the formulae to ace your SAT math section. Be familiar with strategies such as backsolving, picking numbers, etc., to solve the questions quicker. Be mindful of the silly mistakes that you tend to make while solving this section.

Know all about the SAT exam while you begin preparing and aiming for the best universities. Keep yourself updated with the changes happening in the exam pattern. This will help you with all things that you require for your test preparation. 

New changes in the SAT exam pattern

The changes in the SAT exam pattern are actually not that new. They were implemented from March 2016 onwards. The current SAT exam syllabus has merged the reading and writing sections into one more comprehensive EBRW.  Moreover, the max score range in the new pattern drops to 1600 (previously, it was 2400).

However, the most noteworthy change in the new pattern is the annulment of the guessing penalty. Now, there is no negative marking of 0.25 marks on every incorrect answer. This change has slightly increased the composite score ranges for given percentiles.

The College Board has eliminated the SAT subject tests and the optional essay in SAT exam 2022 and going further. There were 20 SAT exam subjects in five broader areas. The areas included History, Languages, Mathematics, English, and Science. But, it has been scrapped now.

Please note that the elimination of the optional essay has made the exam duration 50 minutes shorter. So now, your exam will be for three hours.

SAT to go online!

As per the latest CollegeBroard updates in January 2022, SAT will transform into a computer-based test starting from 2023 for international students and 2024 for US-based students. Here are some significant changes that will happen in the digital SAT-

• The test duration will be reduced to two hours from three hours. 
• The board will also allow students to use calculators for the complete Math section instead of just a part of it. 
• The Reading section will undergo changes such as-
• The passages will become shorter.
• You will witness an array of topics covered in the passages. 
• Each passage will have only one question based on it. 

SAT syllabus

Are there any particular course books you need to cram? One single SAT study guide to follow? The answer is no. The idea of the SAT exam is to test the intelligence and understanding of students in a broader, universal manner that can’t happen by confining it to some particular books.

Nonetheless, these are some elements and themes that are part of the SAT exam 2022 syllabus.

1. The reading section has five passages: one from fiction, one from philosophy and general themes of daily life, one from economy/sociology/psychology, and two from everyday science. Aspirants need to read the passages and answer the set of questions in the given context with reasoning and arguments.
2. Writing and Language Test comprises 44 MCQs from 4 passages (science, careers, history, humanities, and social sciences) where students need to articulate and express their ideas by taking care of the language conventions. Some questions also ask aspirants to fix grammatical and syntax errors in the given passages.
3. The SAT syllabus for mathematics includes questions from Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analytics, and Advanced Math in both sub-sections.

What is SAT exam | SAT exam 2024 eligibility

The one thing you need to know about the SAT exam as of 2024 is that the College Board hasn’t set any specific eligibility criteria for the exam. Any student 12 years or older is eligible to sit in the exam. However, as per the prevailing norm, students who have completed their high school typically take the exam to secure admission to colleges and universities of their choice.

Understanding SAT percentile

While the score range of 400-1600 is for absolute marking, SAT percentiles tell how you have excelled in comparison to other aspirants. The figure of 70 percentile indicates that you have done better than 70% of the candidates. Colleges and universities also evaluate a student from their SAT percentiles instead of composite scores.

Percentiles are determined by the cumulative score of students on each test. Therefore, SAT scores for colleges can change every year. For instance, a university with a 75 percentile requirement can have a closing composite score of 1340 in 2018 and 1450 in 2019, depending on how candidates, in general, have performed in that particular year.

Any seasoned consultant can update you regarding the current percentile and composite score requirements of the universities and colleges you want to apply to.

What is a good SAT score?

Every university’s minimum cutoff requirement differs for admissions. But, we could say that a score of 1200 and above will make you eligible to apply for admission to various universities. Similarly, a composite score of 1350+ can make you eligible for university scholarships in India.

SAT exam registration 2024

As of now, the cost of the SAT exam fees is $55. You can register online at the College Board’s website.

Keep in mind that there are additional charges for things like changing your test center, canceling registration, canceling registration after the deadline, late registration, and a waitlist fee.

Acing your SAT and choosing the right university can be a scary experience unless you take the right approach and consult the right people. You need to know the tiniest details from the SAT exam full form, SAT exam subjects to the scores, etc.

We hope that this blog post on ” What is SAT exam?” has provided you with all the basic yet necessary information on SAT. If you still have questions about what is SAT exam and need further information or assistance on overseas education, feel free to reach out to us. Plan your study abroad journey the right way.

Good Luck!

Liked this blog? Read next: 8 smart study tips used by toppers

Key takeaways

• The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a standardized assessment created by the College Board for undergraduate applicants, widely accepted by colleges and universities globally.
• The SAT comprises two main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Mathematics, with a total score range of 400-1600. The optional essay section was eliminated in 2022, reducing the exam duration.
• The SAT will become a computer-based test starting 2023 for international students and 2024 for US students, with notable changes like reduced test duration and alterations to the Reading section.
• The reading section features passages from various domains such as fiction, philosophy, and science. The writing section tests linguistic understanding through multiple-choice questions. Math covers a range of topics including Algebra and Advanced Math.
• While there’s no strict eligibility criteria set by the College Board, typically high school graduates attempt the exam. Understanding SAT percentiles is crucial as they compare a student’s performance against others. The current SAT exam fee is $55. Preparation involves understanding the latest exam patterns and seeking expert advice for success.

FAQs 

Q1. How to nail the SAT exam? 

Answer- Follow these steps to ace your SAT exam- 

• First things first, know the structure of the exam. The SAT format includes Maths, Language, English, and Reading sections. Make sure you complete the entire syllabus before appearing for the test. 
• Make a timetable and stick to it. 
• Take mock tests to understand your strengths and weaknesses and plan your prep accordingly. 

Q2. Can we use a calculator in SAT? 

Answer- You can use a calculator only in the section named Math Test- Calculator.  

Q3. How much time do I need to complete the SAT exam preparation?

Answer- The time needed to prepare for the exam varies for every individual. Generally, aspirants take around 6-12 weeks to complete the syllabus. 

Q4. Can I give SAT after the 12th?

Answer- As the exam is designed for admissions into international undergraduate programs, students in grades 11th or 12th are advised to appear for SAT. 

Q5. Does SAT have negative marking?

Answer- SAT does not have any negative marking. 

Q6. What SAT score is required for Stanford University?

Answer- Around 25% of the students who get admission to Stanford have an SAT score of 1590 or higher. So, aim for a score near this to get into this prestigious university.