Overview

SAT - Scholastic Assessment Test

Scholastic Assessment Test, previously known as Scholastic Aptitude Test, conducted by the College Board(a non-profit organization), is given by students who want to get admission to undergraduate courses.

The test duration was 3 hours 14 minutes. There are three sections in the SAT exam – Reading, Writing & Language, and Mathematics(No Calculator and With Calculator ) sections. The College Board terminated the subject-specific SAT exam and SAT Essay section in June 2021.

The total number of questions to be answered by students during the exam is 154. The maximum possible SAT score is 1600. There is no negative marking for wrong answers in the SAT exam.

SAT exams will be conducted digitally at international test centres starting in 2023, known as Digital SAT.

Digital SAT - Digital Scholastic Assessment Test

Digital SAT is adopted from SAT by making changes to meet the needs of students and educators. Digital SAT will be conducted internationally starting in 2023 and in the U.S. in 2024.

It tests the candidates’ problem-solving abilities, skills acquired from high school, and how well they can use them for college. The exams will continue to be held in a test centre with a proctor but not at home.

Commencing in March 2023, the SAT will be administered exclusively in a digital format at international test centres. From fall 2023, the PSAT-related assessments will transition to digital testing for all students. Finally, starting in spring 2024, all students will take the entire SAT Suite of Assessments digitally.

What’s Changing

The college board makes changes to enhance the experience and meet the evolving needs of the students and instructors. Some changes in the new Digital SAT are:

The test duration will be shorter than the paper-based SAT. It is now 2 hours and 14 minutes long.
Transitioning to the Computer-Based SAT, which will be replacing paper-based SAT.
It has only 2 sections: The Reading & Writing section and the Math section.
Calculators will be allowed throughout the Mathematics section.
Students will get their scores days after taking the exam.
It is more secure since each student will have a unique test form.

Eligibility

The college board has not fixed any eligibility criteria for taking the SAT exam.
There is no age limit or required academic qualification to attend the SAT exam.
But as per internet privacy laws, candidates cannot register online if they are under the age of 13 and, therefore, should apply through mail or phone.
Though a high school diploma completion of secondary education is not required to attempt the SAT exam, most universities require a high school diploma to apply for admission.
All candidates with disabilities must carry their documentation of disability for verification purposes.
The SAT exam can be taken as many times as one wishes.

Syllabus

Digital SAT consists of two sections:

The reading and writing section consists of short paragraphs with multiple-choice questions. The passages range from 25-150 words. The subject areas on the exam are literature, history, social studies, science, and humanities.
The Math section consists of questions from 4 categories.

Algebra: 13–15 questions
Advanced Math: 13–15 questions
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis: 5–7 questions
Geometry and Trigonometry: 5–7 questions

Exam Pattern

The maximum possible SAT score is 1600. The scoring scale for each section of the SAT ranges from 200 to 800 points.
It is a 2 hour and 14 minutes long exam. The total number of questions in Digital SAT is 98, divided into 2 sections: SAT Reading & Writing section - 54 questions, and SAT Mathematics section - 44 questions.
The College Board terminated the subject-specific SAT exam and SAT Essay section in June 2021. Calculators will be allowed throughout the Mathematics section.
The first module within each section compresses a range of easy, medium, and difficult questions. The difficulty level of the latter module will be based on how students perform in the previous module, with it being either more or less challenging.
Most questions on the SAT exam will be multiple-choice, and only a few questions from the Math section will ask to enter answers rather than choose.
There are no negative marks rewarded for wrong answers. So it is better to select an option than leave it blank.

Preparation & Practice Tests

Preparing for the exam as early as possible is advised because it is exhaustively competitive.
To get a realistic idea of what areas need more practice and for better time management, take a full-length mock test and complete the test in one sitting.
Spend more time to master the topics you are not confident about, and duly practising the remaining topics will improve your skills to manage time effectively.
With diligent practice, the subjects will get easier and simpler.
Many educational portals and institutes provide free full-length practice tests.

Registration & Exam

Prior to registering for the exam, choose a test centre location of your convenience.
All candidates can register for the SAT exam through the official website of the college board by creating an account. The registration fee for international students is $60, plus a $43 regional fee*.
Students must bring their device or a school-issued fully charged testing device with the Bluebook™ application installed to take the test at the exam centre.
If students can’t access a device, the College Board will provide one for use on test day. After registering for the test, students must request a device at least 30 days before the test date.
The digital SAT is designed to ensure that students won’t lose their work or time while reconnecting in case of connectivity or power loss.
It is conducted 7 times a year in India by the college board. The examination dates are announced annually by the College Board

Results & Scoring

Students will get their scores days after taking the exam.
The maximum possible SAT score is 1600. The scoring scale for each section of the SAT ranges from 200 to 800 points. There is no negative marking for wrong answers in the SAT exam.
Scores starting from 400 are considered for college admissions.
Candidates for competitive colleges expect an average score of 1350 and above. A score above 1510-1550 is required for a competitive profile for Ivy League colleges like Harvard, Yale, and MIT.
SAT scores are more secure since each student will have a unique test form in digital mode.