SAT PREPRATION

SAT Reasoning Test

The SAT Reasoning Test (formerly the SAT I: Reasoning Test and commonly referred to as the SAT I) covers two subjects: mathematical and verbal reasoning. Scores on each subject range from 200 to 800, with scores always being a multiple of 10. The test is presented in seven sections: three math, three verbal, and one equating section which may be either math or verbal. The equating section does not count in any way towards a student's score; it is used to compare the relative difficulty of various exams, so that scores received on different editions of the test are commensurable. It is also used as a testbed for new material. During the test, takers do not know which section is the equating section. Each of the seven sections is ordered first by question type, then by difficulty, with the exception of the critical reading question type, which is organized chronologically. For each correct answer, one raw point is added; for each incorrect answer on a question with 5 answer choices, one-fourth of a point is deducted; for each incorrect answer on a question with 4 answer choices, one-third of a point is deducted. Ten of the questions in the quantitative section are not multiple-choice. They instead require the test taker to input the result of their calculations in a four-column grid. For these questions, no points are deducted for a wrong answer. The final score is derived from the raw score; the precise conversion chart varies from year to year due to minor variations in test difficulty.

Answer choices are often littered with distractors or Joe Bloggs (usually common mistakes or incomplete calculations). Many students rush through the first portion of easy questions and then get the difficult questions, which follow, wrong. The average score on the SAT I is, in theory, 1000 (500 on the verbal, 500 on the math), though the most recent national average is 508 for math, 518 for verbal. The most selective schools in the United States (for example, the Ivies) typically have SAT averages exceeding 1400. At 1510, Caltech currently has the highest average score for incoming freshmen. 

In the early 1990s, the SAT consisted of six sections: two math sections (scored together on a 200-800 scale), two verbal sections (scored together on a 200-800 scale), the Test of Standard Written English (scored on a 20-60+ scale), and an equating section. In 1994, the exam was modified, removing antonym questions, and adding math questions that were not multiple choice.

In March 12, 2005, the SAT Reasoning Test was modified and lengthened. Key changes include the removal of analogy questions and quantitative comparisons, the addition of a writing section based largely on the now defunct SAT II Writing Subject Test, and the expansion of the mathematics sections to cover three years of high school mathematics. In all, the new SAT contains ten sections (including the equating section), and a total length of 3 hours 45 minutes; with the additional section, a "perfect" score on the new SAT will be 2400.

SAT Subject Tests

The SAT Subject tests (formerly the SAT II: Subject Tests and commonly referred to as the SAT II. Prior to 1994, they were known as the Achievement Tests.) are one-hour multiple-choice tests given in individual subjects. The exception is the Writing test, which is divided into a 20-minute essay question and a 40-minute multiple choice section.

The 22 Subject Tests are: Literature, U.S. History, World History, Math Level I, Math Level II, Biology E/M (Ecological or Molecular), Chemistry, Physics, French Reading, French Reading with Listening, German Reading, German Reading with Listening, Spanish Reading, Spanish Reading with Listening, Modern Hebrew Reading, Italian Reading, Latin Reading with Listening, Japanese Reading with Listening, Korean Reading with Listening, Chinese Reading with Listening, and the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT).

Each individual test is scored on a scale of 200 to 800, except for the ELPT, which is scored on a scale of 100 to 999. The ELPT ceased to be offered after January 2005. Colleges often require the Writing test, a math test, and a test of the student's choice. Engineering schools typically require a science test and prefer Math Level II. An SAT II: Writing Test was also offered until January 2005. It was removed due to its incorporation into the New SAT Reasoning Test.

Taking the test

The SAT is typically offered seven times a year in the United States, on the first Saturday of October, November, December, January, March, May and June. In other countries, the SAT is offered on the same dates as in the United States except for the March test date, which is not offered. 

Candidates may either take the SAT Reasoning Test or up to three SAT Subject Tests on any given test date, except the March test date, when only the SAT Reasoning Test is offered. Candidates may register to take the test online at the College Board's website (http://www.collegeboard.com/), by mail or by phone. Typically candidates must register at least three weeks before the test date.

For candidates whose religious beliefs prevent them from taking the test on a Saturday, they may request to take the test on the Sunday after the test is usually held. Such requests must be made at the time of registration.

Raw Scores, scaled scores and percentiles

The student receives a score report approximately 3-4 weeks after administration of the test (each section graded on a scale of 200 to 800). In addition to their score, students receive their percentile (i.e. the percentage of other candidates scoring lower than them). The raw score, or the number of points gained from correct answers and lost due to incorrect answers (ranges from just under 50 to just under 60, depending upon the test), is not included; however, one can easily calculate the raw score from the information provided on the score report.

The corresponding percentile of each scaled score varies from test to test - for example, in 2003, a scaled score of 800 in both section of the SAT Reasoning Test corresponded to a percentile of over 99, while a scaled score of 800 in the SAT Physics Test corresponded to the 94th percentile. The difference in corresponding percentiles reflects the number of students who take test. Generally speaking, the more popular test, the higher the percentile corresponding to a scaled score of 800.

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