SAT Exam: Dates, Registration, Fees, Scholarship & Preparation

What is on the SAT Exam?

There are four sections on the test:

• Reading Test
• Writing and Language Test
• Math Test - No Calculator
• Math Test - Calculator

How long is the SAT Exam?

The total duration of the test, without the breaks, is 3 hours or 180 minutes. You get two breaks on the test - one for 5 minutes and the other for 10 minutes. Hence, the total duration of the test, including the breaks, is 3.25 hours or 195 minutes.

Question Types on SAT Exam

The Reading Test has a comprehension followed by multiple questions based on the passage. These questions test on various skills such as Vocabulary, Inference, Finding the evidence and more. All questions are Multiple-Choice with four answer choices.

The Writing Test has comprehensions that have some portions underlined. These underlined portions test you on your Grammar and Editing skills. All questions are Multiple-Choice with four answer choices.

The Math Test has questions on various math topics ranging from Algebra to Arithmetic to Geometry to Complex Numbers. Most questions are Multiple-Choice with four answer choices. The Math section also has some questions that are known as Student-Produced Response as they do not have any answer choices.

Scoring on the SAT Exam

You receive many scores on the test. Here is a sample score report.

(Image Source: https://www.piqosity.com/attachment/sat-score-report/feed/)

Let's understand each of the scores on the report:

• The total score: It ranges from 400 to 1600. This is what you hear from friends.
• Percentile: This number tells how you have done compared to the other test takers on the same administration of the test. The percentile on the right (50th) tells you the performance compared to the test takers from your country and the percentile on the left (41st) tells you the performance compared to all the test takers across the globe.
• Section Scores: This is how you scored on the two categories: Verbal and Quant. The total verbal score is the sum of the individual scores on the Reading Test and the Writing and Language Test multiplied by 10.
• Sectional Percentile: This number tells how you have done compared to the other test takers on the same administration of the test for each section.
• Test Scores: Informs you about your performance on each individual test - Reading, Writing, and Math
• Cross - test Scores: Each section on the SAT has cross-test questions on various sub topics such as Science, History, Grammar and many more. The Cross-Test Scores help you identify your specific strengths and weaknesses in case you have to take another attempt.
• Website Link: This is where you can get more details about your scores such as the number of questions you got incorrect or skipped.

SAT Exam Registration

If you plan to take the SAT, you must register for a slot at one of the test centers. You have to go to www.collegeboard.org to register for the test. You have to create an account on the website and provide the information such as your name, name of the school, city, country and much more required to take the test. You also have to upload your photograph.

Changing or Canceling the SAT Exam registration

You can change the test center or even cancel your registration. However, there is a fee involved to do either.

• To change the test center, you have to pay $25.
• To cancel your test by the test change deadline, you have to pay $25.
• To cancel your test after the test change deadline, you have to pay $35.

Upcoming SAT Exam Dates (India)