All About SAT

By Devanshi Kothari

SAT or Scholastic Aptitude Test is a mandatory exam for admission into any Bachelor degree program in USA. SAT-I or Reasoning Test comprises verbal and quantitative reasoning and its scores are accepted by all Undergraduate Colleges in US. If you intent to acquire a Bachelor's degree in fields such as Engineering, Medicine etc. you also need to sit for SAT- II or Subject Test.

SAT-I has three major components- Critical Reasoning (70 minutes)- comprises sentence completions, reading comprehensions, paragraph-length critical reading. Mathematics (70 minutes)- have multiple choice questions on geometry, statistics, numbers and operations, algebra and functions, probability and data-analysis etc. The Writing section (60 minutes)- includes grammar, usage, word choice, multiple choice questions and an essay. Each section is of 800 marks.

The SAT scores are scaled on a range of 200-800 and there are two sub-scores for essay and multiple choice.

Important Points

• You can pay by globally accepted credit cards (Visa, Master, Discover or Amex), bank draft (US Dollar denominated), international money order or check drawn on a U.S. Bank. Checks and money order must be addressed to "The College Board."
• In SAT-I test, the first section is always the 25-minutes essay and the last section is the 10-minute multiple choice writing section. Section 2-7 are 25 minutes each and 8-9 are 20 minutes each. These sections may appear in random order. Examinees sitting next to each other may receive entirely different set of questions.
• The SAT is a paper-based exam and held 6 times a year. The next SAT test date is scheduled on June 7, 2008. SAT scores are available online in 2-3 weeks and received by mail in 4 to 5 weeks time.
• A high SAT score gives candidates a greater chance of admission into top schools, availing financial assistance and in visa applications.
• There is no restriction on the number of SAT exam you can give. Your score report will display the current score along with previous SAT-I (maximum 6) scores.
• The subjects tested in SAT-II are Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, American History, World History, Languages, Writing and Literature. The SAT-II is of 1-hour duration (each subject).
• US-based "College Entrance Examination Board" or College Board conducts SAT exam. In India, the SAT centers are at Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Mussorie, Cochin and Kodaikanal.
• The SAT Reasoning fee is US$43. For SAT Subject test the registration fee is $20, languages tests are $20 and other subjects are $8 each. Additional fees may be international processing fee ($25), security surcharges ($22) for test in India and Pakistan etc.
• SAT forms are available at USEFI (U.S. Education Foundation in India) or can be downloaded from the website www.collegeboard.com.
• The Collegeboard sends the scores to four universities of your choice (cost included in the fees). Any additional university can be added at a cost of $9.5 per recipient. These colleges have to be mentioned even before you take the exam, therefore prioritize your applications.
• In case you want to reschedule your exam give intimation at least seven days in advance. Necessary rescheduling fees has to be paid.

Keep in mind the following rules that apply while giving the test. Prepare accordingly
SAT-I/Reasoning Test

a)Short breaks at the end of each test hour is given.

b)Time spent on each section should not exceed the time allotted to it.

c)You are not allowed to revert to a section once it is finished.

d) You are not allowed to start a new section even if you have finished the current one early.

SAT-II/Subject Tests

a) Each subject test is one-hour long. You may leave the center on completing your final Subject test.

A maximum of 3 subject tests are allowed on an examination date.

b)A short break at the end of each test hour is given

c)You can work on only one test per hour.

d)Apart from the listening test, you may substitute any Subject or add fresh Subjects on the test day.

Carry a valid photo identification, preferably passport and your examination ticket.

Do carry sharpened pencils (pens are prohibited) and eraser. Use a number 2 pencil on the test paper. The entire circle should be filled completely and darkly. Similarly, if you want to change an answer erase the previous one completely. Incomplete erasures or fillings may affect your scores.

Do carry snacks. Considerable time will be spent during the exam, so you are likely to get hungry. Use the short breaks to eat, drink and relax- this will keep you alert for the next hour.

Also carry a scientific calculator with fresh set of batteries

This article is written as a part of the online initiative of ICICI Lombard GIC, India, to create awareness and provide information to all Indian students going abroad for higher studies. Also visit Indian Student Online blog - http://indianstudentonline.wordpress.com for more articles and tips. To find out insurance requirements of more than 500 universities worldwide and to buy the complaint Indian student medical insurance policy online, visit http://www.icicilombard.com/app/ilom-en/PersonalProducts/Travel/student/Student-travel.aspx