SAT Exam: Types, Structure, and Assessment

The SAT test, abbreviated from Scholastic Aptitude Test, plays a crucial role in the university admission process in the United States and other countries. The College Board created this test as a standard to be followed by students after completing 12 years of education and planning to attend college.

The SAT test also serves as a guide for various international universities in admitting new students due to its international recognition. Unlike TOEFL and IELTS, which assess English language proficiency, the SAT test evaluates readiness for pursuing undergraduate studies abroad. In fact, SAT scores can contribute as additional points when applying for scholarships.

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Here are some of the details about the SAT test:

The Right Time to Take the SAT Test

This test is mandatory if you want to apply to various universities in the United States, especially for undergraduate programs. However, some universities and countries might also require or accept SAT scores as additional criteria. This policy depends on each educational institution. Some countries that accept SAT scores from international students include Malaysia, Singapore, Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Types of SAT Tests

Before 2021, there were two types of SAT tests:

• SAT Reasoning Test: Assessing skills in reading, writing, and math comprehension.
• SAT Subject Test: Evaluating skills in specific subject areas.

However, since 2021, the College Board discontinued the SAT Subject Test as part of an effort to simplify academic requirements for students.

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Structure of the SAT Test

The examination comprises three sections: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. The questions are multiple-choice and free-response. In the Reading section, there are 52 multiple-choice questions with a duration of 65 minutes. This section assesses crucial reading skills for undergraduate studies abroad. You must answer questions based on information in reading texts, graphs, or tables.

In the Writing and Language section, there are 44 multiple-choice questions with a duration of 35 minutes. Here, you will identify errors in reading texts and correct them.

SAT Prep: The Secret to Success on the SAT Exam

The Math section is divided into 2 parts. The first part allows calculator usage with 38 questions and a duration of 55 minutes. The second part doesn’t allow calculator usage, containing 20 questions with a duration of 25 minutes. Questions in this section can be multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank. In the calculator section, questions are more challenging, and you’re provided with a list of potentially needed math formulas.

Scoring in the SAT Test

• The Reading and Writing and Language sections receive a combined score, while the Math section has its own score.
• The range of score for each section is 200-800.
• The overall total score ranges between 400-1600.

When preparing for the test, ensure you understand the admission requirements of your target universities and the required scores. If your exam score doesn’t meet the target, you can retake the test. Remember, the SAT test is not a replacement for TOEFL or IELTS, so you still need to take the language test as per the study abroad requirements.

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