So I’m in my sophomore year of high school, and all I know about the SAT is that it is a standardized test that most american colleges want and that it is divided in math and english part. How many and what parts are there (reading comprehension, essay…)? What is the SAT subject test, and is it mandatory?
Then if you’re kind, can you give examples of your scores with your gpa to have an idea about what people usually score? (ex. I scored 1500 and my overall gpa in HS is 3.9)
The current SAT has math, writing, and critical reading portions, with a total of 10 sections (the first section is an essay, which counts towards writing score).
SAT subject tests may or may not be required, and this depends on the college.
For more specific info, use Google (or Wikipedia, whichever), or search other CC threads.
I believe that there is no corelation between GPA and SAT score. Indeed, you may find many threads around CC saying that the following ¨I have a 4.99999 GPA and a poor SAT what can I do¨. On the other hand, the more you spend time studying and practicing for the SAT, the more points you will receive in the real exam.
The average score (2013)
Average scores are calculated annually based on the most recent SAT scores of all students of a particular graduating class.
For the class of 2013, average scores are:
Critical reading:497
Mathematics: 513
Writing: 487
from the college board website
I just started reading about the SAT too. Isn’t the test changing for us?
As others have indicated, the current SAT is based on a 2400 scale (there are 3 sections - verbal (including reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing mechanics), quantitative (math), and an essay. Each section is worth 800 points). Schools that don’t factor in the writing use a 1600 point scale for the verbal and quantitative sections (800 each).
Yes, the SAT is changing in the spring of 2016. The new SAT will be based on the Common Core, have less esoteric vocabulary, and the reading comp will be from more real-world texts (e.g. historical documents). Rumor has it that is will be more like the ACT.
If you take the SAT in the fall or up until Jan. 2016, it will be the old format. As of March, you’ll be getting the new SAT.
Since high school curriculum and grades are not standardized - at least until common core- , the SAT and ACT give colleges a uniform national benchmark to compare student capabilities. The SAT and ACT are administered by two separate entities based in NJ (College Board, SAT) and and Iowa (ACT). The College Board administers the PSAT, SAT, and SAT subject tests and AP exams. CB management was also involved in common core. ACT administers Explore, Plan, ACT and several others.
Years ago the SAT was popular on the coasts and ACT in the interior. The ACT has surpassed the SAT in popularity. Colleges do not care which one you take.
The ACT has 4 sections- english, math , and reading but also includes a ‘Science’ section, which is actually a more of a data interpretation section. There is also a composite score which is the average of all 4 sections rounded up. You don’t need to know any science to complete it.
Most students do better on one than the other. ACT questions are more straightforward. (This will likely change with the new SAT). The old SAT (SAT I) has 10 sections and takes over 4 hours to complete. The ACT has 4 sections and takes closer to 3.5. The ACT also has a writing option which some colleges want. All are questions are multiple choice except writing. SAT subject tests (also called SAT II) are short (45 min) and include 20 separate tests in Social Studies, Math, Science, Language reading and Language listening tests categories. You can take up to 3 in a given day.
Each tests costs around $50, less for the SAT subject tests, more for late registration. Low-income fee waivers are available. You also get (usually) 4 free reports sent to colleges, and a free one to you and your high school. There are some limitations, mostly that you have to select the schools before/during the tests for free reports. Extra reports cost $12 from ACT.
Each college has different requirements. Some want ACT w writing or SAT, some want subject tests, some don’t care. Some accept AP credit, others do not, or require a certain score. Programs like engineering typically require a high math score on ACT/SAT and subject Tests.
My advice to a Sophomore would be to prepare for the PSAT first, given in Sept/October to juniors, as best you can (with no prep material for the new test) . If you do reasonable well for your state you will also need to take the SAT and fill out an NMS app. Otherwise I would concentrate on the ACT for now.