As a high school student, you have probably started thinking about the next step in your education journey - reaching your dream university. And if you’ve always had the “American dream”, taking the SAT is one of the first steps to fulfillment!
The SAT is one of two standardized tests which is required by most American universities for admission, much like an entrance exam. Students in the US have been taking it in various forms since 1926 to test their capability and college readiness.
Your SAT score is one of the main factors which is taken into consideration by the universities you apply to. The more prestigious universities require higher scores for admission.
The SAT is divided into two sections: math and English reading and writing.
The math section evaluates a student’s understanding of algebra, problem solving, analyzing data, geometry and trigonometry. Most questions are multiple choice, but there may be a few in this section which require an answer to be filled in. You’re also allowed to use a calculator, which is a nice bonus.
If you want to improve your math and English skills before the test, Youni offers tutoring so you can be confident on test day.
The SAT test is taken digitally, and the questions are mostly in multiple choice format.
A key aspect is that the test is timed, which means you need to work quickly and efficiently to complete it.
The SAT is 2 hours and 14 minutes long. That’s good news, because it used to be longer! Seventy minutes are allowed for math and 64 minutes for the reading and writing section, with a short pause in between.
Each section has two modules of equal length which follow each other, without a break in between. The digital SAT uses a modern, adaptive format, which means the questions in the second module will adapt to be slightly harder or easier, depending on your results in the first module.
Each section is scored on a scale of 200 - 800, so the total score you can get for both sections is between 400 - 1600.
Wrong answers do not take away points, so answering every question is important! Guessing an answer is better than leaving it blank.
Universities generally have a minimum score at which they accept students, and that is different for each university. A good SAT score for you is a score that will get you into the school you want to go to. A higher SAT score makes you more competitive and can also open the door to more scholarship opportunities.
Just remember that your SAT score alone will not guarantee admission, even if it is high. It is only one component of your college application. High school grades, application essays, and other relevant experience are also important.
If you are looking for ways to make your university application stand out from the crowd, get in touch with a Youni advisor who will connect you with the activities which are perfect for you.
There is no standard age or grade level for taking the SAT, however taking it in your junior or senior year of high school is recommended.
You need to have your SAT scores before applying to your university of choice. Scores are usually released 2-4 weeks after the test day, so pay attention to each university’s application deadlines.
In order to find out the level you are at before taking the SAT, you can sign up for a simulation. A mock exam will help you understand what your strengths and weaknesses are and which skills you should improve for a better result in the real exam! Here at Youni, we organize such events all throughout the year.
The SAT is offered internationally, with multiple test locations in Bucharest and throughout Romania.
The final test date for 2024 is December 7. Testing dates will be offered again from March 2025.
To find more test dates, testing locations, and to register for the test, access the College Board website and choose the SAT section where you will find a registration link. Here you can sign up for the test date that you want. You will also have to pay the international registration fee.
Don’t worry, just take it again! You can take the SAT more than once if you need to improve your score.
You can also come to Youni’s Prep Center for SAT tutoring. We will help you do your best to get into the American university of your dreams!
Also, don’t forget about our next mock exam happening this Saturday, 26 October. Sign up here!
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