The SAT, or ‘Scholastic Assessment Test’, is a college board-conducted test evaluating an individual’s understanding of the English language and mathematics. The student’s ability is examined in two subjects: mathematics and English language, with scores ranging from 200 to 800 in each portion. Thus, the highest possible score on the SAT for a student is 1600.
Thousands of students take the exam each year in an attempt to gain admission into US and Canadian institutions. All of the most prestigious colleges in the US and Canada, including Harvard, Stanford, Yale, and others, utilize the scores for undergraduate admissions.
The SAT is a paper-and-pencil assessment that uses an organized structure to evaluate an applicant’s understanding of both English and mathematical subjects. In 2016, there was a major redesign of the SAT, including many notable adjustments that allowed students to take the exam considerably easier.
To reduce the amount of time students must spend preparing, the new pattern emphasized strategic preparation and creative thinking. The revised pattern includes changes to the names of the subjects, the duration of the test, and the valuation pattern.
Before taking the SAT, students need to familiarize themselves with the updated curriculum and revisions made after 2016. The experience-based reading and writing part, mathematics, and the optional essay section are the main areas of emphasis for the new pattern. We will cover every topic in great depth to ensure that test-takers who put in a lot of effort to perform highly on the test have no reason to doubt.
The 80-minute SAT mathematics section test consists primarily of multiple-choice questions that heavily emphasize algebra and advanced mathematics. The mathematics portion has a total score ranging from 200 to 800 points.
There are 58 questions in all, and students should focus equally on each part since, in the context of the SAT, they are all significant. For the most part, students are expected to solve the questions on the objective test type, although there are certain problems where they must choose the best possible answers. After answering the question correctly, students must either shade or encircle the appropriate numbers. Questions without multiple-choice answers are called “Grid-ins.”
The categorization of problems in the math portion into those that need mental calculations and those that can be answered with a calculator is a further significant aspect. The calculator section contains the majority of the questions, with the non-calculator segment including a comparatively smaller number of questions.
There are 30 multiple-choice questions in the calculator section, 8 of which are grid-in questions. There are 5 grid-in questions and 15 multiple-choice questions in the non-calculator segment. The fact that students are given a set of formulae to refer to is one of the best aspects of the SAT. There are four sections in the mathematics part, and each one is equally significant for test takers. It’s preferable to review every segment to guarantee the highest possible exam result because sometimes a section’s questions are comparatively more difficult than the others.
This section’s questions will mostly address ratios, percentages, and the interpretation of data from graphs, pie charts, tabular columns, and other visual representations.
An essential component of mathematics, algebra is crucial for the SAT. Because the level of the questions in algebra is high, mastery of the subject requires students to put in a great deal of work. To do exceptionally well on this specific test portion, you must develop your analytical abilities.
The primary focus is on algebraic expressions, linear equations, and other relevant topics covered in the syllabus. To complete additional algebraic problems while understanding the format of the test, one needs to review the previous year’s questions.
Proficiency in advanced mathematics is crucial for students who aim to get high exam scores. When it comes to solving complicated mathematical equations with several variables, complex functions, etc., students who excel in this area distinguish special students from those who may struggle with certain aspects of these challenging problems.
Since this unit covers geometry, trigonometry, areas, and volumes, among other topics, students will need to practice a lot. This part requires a great deal of work since there is no substitute for the amount of practice required to grasp trigonometric ideas and the simplification of complicated trigonometric functions.
Students must demonstrate their command of the English language in this area. The portion emphasizes the test-taker’s proficiency in reading and writing. One must begin practicing these portions extensively, and you will examine both sections in depth, totaling 800 points.
Students must evaluate each of the five passages in the reading part before responding to the questions. The questions are purely evidence-based, and students must brainstorm on the hidden goal in the passage’s content.
There are 52 multiple-choice questions in this part, and the entire time allotment is 65 minutes. Since you only have a little more than a minute for each question, it’s crucial to set up plenty of time to practice. The passage’s content is drawn from traditional literary sources from throughout the world, scientific discoveries, and US historical events.
These topics are utilized to create the passage, and it will already have all of the knowledge needed to answer the question. There are 3 main ways that the questions are framed: simple factual questions.
The second kind of questions will include making conclusions about the subject matter provided in the paragraph and providing evidence to support the facts shown in charts, graphs, and other visual aids. The third type of question will focus on interpreting the points made in the sections and then providing a written analysis of the passage’s substance.
Each of these parts is designed to assess a person’s overall proficiency with the English language. Furthermore, there is a widespread misconception—which is completely baseless—that students from English-speaking nations have a benefit. Students from every country in the world are competing, and anyone willing to put in the necessary work will do well in the test.
You get 35 minutes to respond to the 44 questions in the writing section. There are 4 passages, and the questions are related to these. Students have to modify the passages according to their level of English language proficiency. The students must carefully examine the passage’s content, correct any grammatical errors, and format it to be as presentable as possible. To edit and correct all of the flaws in the paragraph with the highest level of accuracy, students should practice a lot. The majority of the paragraphs are narrative, informative, explanatory, and argumentative. Students are required to respond to questions based on these, which also include graphs, pie charts, and tabular columns.
Typically, there are two types of questions. In the first, students must confirm that all of the sentences are free of errors and fix any grammar mistakes. Students must make appropriate adjustments to the paragraph’s content to improve the language of the paragraph in the second type of question.
In this part, students will be given a passage to analyze and deliver an essay in which they must write an explanation that makes sense with the content. Writing in favor of or against the passage is not necessary.
Writing an explanation passage and presenting the information using evidence are the two things it tackles. Even though it’s not required, several universities make it essential for students to take this test.
Three months or more before the dates of the SAT exam, the preparation must begin. To obtain an acceptable score that might get them into some of the best colleges in the world, one must dedicate at least four to six hours every day for three months. For students taking the test, consider the following advice.
Shiksha Udaan Capital aims to support your dream of attaining a high-quality education and provide students with easy access to personalized educational finance alternatives.