SAT Overview
The SAT test is used by colleges and universities as part of the college admissions process. Almost all colleges and universities require that student applicants provide them with the results of one or more standardized tests with their college application. Standardized tests, such as the SAT, give colleges and universities a nationally standardized way of assessing students' critical thinking skills and knowledge. Grades, or grade point average (GPA) alone do not accomplish this because they are not standardized across schools. These articles have been developed to help students understand the SAT, develop SAT test prep and SAT test-taking strategies, and improve their SAT score.
SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests
According to the College Board, the SAT Reasoning Test (formerly SAT I: Reasoning Test or simply SAT I) is designed to be a measure of a students' "critical thinking skills". Its intent is to measure how well a student has mastered the skills necessary to be successful in college. The SAT Reasoning Test is made up of three parts, which include: Critical Reading, Math, and Writing. An SAT score consists of an individual score between 200 (low) and 800 (high) for each of the three parts. The writing part also has two additional sub-scores. Preparing for the SAT Reasoning Test involves becoming comfortable with the test format and question types, having knowledge of effective test taking strategies, practicing the right kinds of test taking exercises, and studying the categories of material covered on the test.
The SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests or simply SAT II, and also known many years ago as Achievement Tests) are different, subject specific tests. The intent of SAT II Subject Tests is to measure knowledge in specific-subject areas. There are five subject categories for the SAT Subject Tests including: English, history and social studies, mathematics, science, and languages. Each subject test is much more focused on the type of material that should have been covered in the classes taken by a student. Students should use the SAT Subject Tests to demonstrate to a prospective college or university their proficiency in certain subject areas. Preparing for the SAT Subject Tests should be more focused on a review of classroom material, much the same way a student would prepare for year-end finals.
The "New SAT"
The "New SAT", which is officially named the SAT Reasoning Test, is being introduced in March of 2005. It replaces the old SAT I: Reasoning Test. The New SAT test is now 3 hours and 45 minutes long. Changes have been made to the math and critical reading (formerly verbal) parts of the test. In addition, a new third part, writing, has been added to the test.
| Old SAT SAT I: Reasoning Test Time: 3 hours |
New SAT SAT Reasoning Test Time: 3 hours and 45 minutes |
|---|---|
| Math - Score M 200-800 | Math - Score M 200-800 |
| Verbal - Score V 200-800 | Critical Reading - Score CR 200-800 |
Preparing for the New SAT
Preparing for the new SAT should essentially be the same as preparing for the old SAT. Students still need to become comfortable with the test format and question types, have knowledge of effective test taking strategies, practice the right kinds of test taking exercises, and study the categories of material covered on the test. In addition, students now need to achieve a level of comfort with the format and strategies for approaching the new writing section, especially the short essay. Students who prepare and pursue sound SAT prep strategies and coursework can reap big rewards and raise their SAT score.
These articles provide free information on the SAT test and SAT prep strategies to help improve SAT test scores. Please see our list of SAT prep articles in the column at the right.
