The SAT examination is designed to assess the thinking and logical reasoning skills of the candidates. These are the basic skills that you acquire in your schools, but are highly valued at the college level as well. The purpose of conducting this examination is to evaluate students for their writing, reading as well as mathematical skills.

The total duration of the examination is 3 hours and 45 minutes. The SAT examination is divided into SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject-based Test. If you want to take admission in any college in the U.S.A. on the basis of SAT reasoning score, it is not enough to only secure a seat in the college. But on the other hand, some colleges also consider the score of the subjects-based examination. In most of the cases when we say "SAT examination", it refers to the SAT reasoning test.

Students are usually advised to take the SAT during grade 11 or 12. Students need to plan ahead to meet the registration deadlines and prepare for the test. The test is offered in January, March, May, June, October, November and December.

SAT Format

The Standardized Aptitude Test (SAT) is a standardized paper and pencil test used by several foreign universities to evaluate students as a part of their undergraduate admission process. Although the SAT score is an important measurement in the admission process, it is not the sole criterion. Universities also consider high school grades, recommendation letters, essays and other relevant information in offering places on their undergraduate courses.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) developed the SAT initially but it is now owned and developed by the College Board. It consists of two sets of examinations-

• The SAT Reasoning Test (SAT I)
• The SAT Subject Tests (SAT II)

It is not necessary to take both the tests. Some universities require only the reasoning test, whereas some require both. Students may retake the SAT if they are dissatisfied with their results.

Evaluating your SAT Score

The SAT is graded on a 2400-point scale, with the Mathematics, Critical Reading, and Writing sections all being worth 800 points each. The SAT scores follow the bell-curve system that means that the median score on each section will always be close to 500 (the midpoint between 200 and 800), with a decreasing frequency of scores down to 200 and up to 800.The score report also includes percentile rankings that give a fair idea of how the student fared as compared to other students.

The SAT scores can be found online 2 to 3 weeks after the test day and is sent to the mailing address in about 4 to 6 weeks. The result has the following information-

• Your raw score and 200-800 point scaled score for the Math, Critical Reading, and Writing sections
• Your 0-12 essay sub-score
• Information about your responses including questions that you answered right, answered wrong, or omitted
• Estimated percentile rank for college-bound seniors based on the test
• A printable copy of your essay

SAT Exam Dates (2011-2012):

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SAT Facts

• The SAT is offered 6 times a year in India
• Takes 3 hours and 45 minutes
• It consists of 10 separately timed sections - 3 sections test critical reading (70 minutes total); 3 sections test mathematics (70 minutes total); 3 sections test writing (60 minutes total); 1 variable (un-scored) section tests critical reading, mathematics, or writing (25 minutes total).
• It assesses subject matter learned in high school and problem solving skills in 3 areas - Critical reading, Mathematics and Writing.
• It includes three kinds of questions - multiple choice questions, student-produced responses (mathematics only), essay questions.

How difficult is the SAT?

The SAT is developed to reflect accepted educational standards. The data show that the material on the SAT and the time allocated to each section are appropriate for the intended test-taking population.

• On average, students answer 50 - 60 % of questions correctly
• 80 % finish nearly the entire test
• Almost all students complete at least 75 % of the questions

SAT 2011 Fee Structure:

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