SAT EXAM 2020 - ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW

If you are considering of applying to colleges, it’s crucial that you know what the SAT is and how it will impact your application process.

SAT was first administered in the year 1926 as a college admission test. Soon, it became popular, and by the 1940s, SAT had become the standardized test for all college applicants. Currently, the SAT is the most popular college admission test.

This post attempts to give you all the necessary info that helps you understand and prepare for the SAT

What’s the SAT?

SAT is a standardized test, which is designed to evaluate a student’s college readiness. SAT was first administered in the year 1926. Since then, it is being conducted every year.  The full form of SAT is the Standardized Assessment Test. Earlier, it was called the Standardized Aptitude Test.

Why SAT?

Most of the admissions committees of colleges and universities consider that a combination of school grades and a test score is an effective indicator of a student’s college readiness. SAT serves as a common platform to evaluate a student’s college readiness as the high school grades and teacher recommendations vary from place to place.          

SAT exam score, in conjunction with GPA ( grade point average) and other requirements, is used by colleges and universities during the admission process to assess the academic success of the students. Depending on the college you are applying, the SAT score can account for around 50% of the admission decision. Therefore, a good SAT score is essential for ensuring admission to the college.

Is SAT score mandatory?

It depends on the college you are applying to. Most colleges require you to submit the SAT score. Although all the universities do not ask for the SAT exam score, submitting the score along with your GPA may add weight to your application and balance your low GPA.  Additionally, prepping for the SAT refreshes and builds comprehension, grammar, punctuation, and quantitative reasoning skills, which would positively contribute to your graduate studies.

Which Countries?

SAT is most popular for admission in the undergraduate courses in the US and Canada. The test score is also accepted by many universities in the United Kingdom, Australia, and some leading universities in Singapore and India.

What’s the structure of the SAT?

SAT has four sections: Evidence-based Reading and writing, math, and essay. You will see a reading test designed to assess your ability to understand the main idea of the passage, the relationships between various pieces of information, and what’s indirectly stated in the reading passage; a writing section designed to test the student’s familiarity with grammar and punctuation; No-Calculator Math; and Calculator Math. Most of the questions of the SAT are multiple-choice except five questions on Math No-Calculator and eight questions on Math Calculator sections.

What’s the score range of SAT?

The total score range of the SAT is 400-1600. Evidence-based Reading and writing account for 800, and Math accounts for 800. You will receive a separate score (three scores for Reading, analysis, and writing) for your essay.

How’s the SAT score calculated?

The raw score, questions you get correct, is converted into a scaled score through a process called equating. The College Board is reticent to disclose how exactly it works. You don’t have to worry about the mystery; focuson getting as many questions correct as possible. For instance, In the evidence-based Reading and writing, if you are aiming 700+, you will have to get around 45 questions correct in Reading and around 42 questions correct in writing and language.

How’s the SAT score calculated?

The raw score, questions you get correct, is converted into a scaled score through a process called equating. The College Board is reticent to disclose how exactly it works. You don’t have to worry about the mystery; focuson getting as many questions correct as possible. For instance, In the evidence-based Reading and writing, if you are aiming 700+, you will have to get around 45 questions correct in Reading and around 42 questions correct in writing and language.

What’s a good SAT score?

It depends on the university. Are you aiming for a top tier school? You’ll have to score over 1500, but a local branch of the state university may need just around 1100.

Anything around 1400 would make your application competitive. In the essay, 6//6/6 on Reading, Analysis, and writing is a good score.

Is there a negative scoring in SAT?

Negative scoring means your marks will be deducted for each wrong answer. Fortunately, The SAT doesn’t have a negative scoring system. Skipped questions or wrong questions do not affect your score.

How many times can I take the test?

As many times as you like, however, taking the test over and over, hoping that each attempt will improve your score doesn’t make sense. Plan to take the test twice and no more than three times. With the right guidance from professional SAT trainers, you can crack your target score in your first attempt, if not definitely in your second attempt.

Consider joining 1Attempt for SAT coaching classes in Dubai and Eduquest for SAT prep classes in Abu Dhabi. Take a free trial class and decide.

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Do SAT scores expire?

Technically speaking, SAT scores never expire. However, scores that are five or more years old may be considered less valid predictors of your academic success. If you are taking the SAT in your junior year (an eleventh year or grade), you shouldn’t worry about your score validity.

SAT 2020-2021 ( SAT DUBAI 2020, SAT ABU DHABI 2020 & International)dates and deadlines?

The following table provides the test dates for SAT 2020 and SAT 2021 ( UAE and International), which are confirmed and updated by College Board. In the SAT 2019 Dubai and the SAT 2019 Abu Dhabi, The SAT® was administered in March, May, October, and December. Due to the COVID-19 impact, some of the test dates in SAT 2020 have been canceled. The following table has revised test dates updated by the College Board.