SAT Exam

The College Board administers the SAT Exam, a standardized test required by students seeking admission to undergraduate schools abroad. Originally known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the SAT Exam evaluates candidates' written, verbal, and mathematical skills. While the SAT was initially administered as a pencil-paper test, the College Board has recently introduced a new version of the exam: the SAT Digital Exam. Candidates can register for the SAT up to five weeks before the exam date, and the exam fee is $55 (INR 4,081), with an additional non-US regional fee of $49 (INR 3,600) for Indian candidates. The total SAT exam fees for Indian nationals is $104 (INR 7,700). Depending on the region, the College Board conducts the SAT seven times annually, with at least five test dates available in most countries.

The SAT consists of two main areas: evidence-based reading and writing, and math, with an optional writing section. Candidates must answer 154 questions in three hours. The SAT score range is 400-1600, which is widely used for admission to undergraduate programs. Compared to the older version, the SAT Digital Exam is one hour shorter and allows students to bring their laptops, Chromebooks, or iPads to the test center. International students can take the first SAT Digital Exam on March 11, 2023, while US-based students can take it starting in 2024. Despite the shift to a digital format, the syllabus, marking, and score range remain the same as the pencil-paper version of the SAT.

Significant alterations to the SAT Exam

Due to Covid-19 lockdowns, many SAT aspirants were unable to take the exam.Consequently, several universities and colleges have made SAT scores optional for admissions. In the near future, the SAT will transition to a digital format, with plans to implement the change for all students by 2024. The SAT exam will be proctored at test centers and scored out of 1600. Additionally, the SAT Subject Tests will no longer be part of the exam for U.S. students.

SAT Exam Fees in India ?

As per the official website,The SAT registration fee in India for 2023 is $60 (INR 4970) and an additional $43 (INR 3562) for international test takers outside US as regional fee which brings the total to $103 (INR 8532). The mentioned table breaks down the types of SAT exams and the exam fees in both Indian rupees and US dollars:

Some upcoming changes to the SAT includes:

• A shorter testing time of two hours instead of three.
• A wider range of topics for reading comprehension.
• The use of calculators in the Quant section, and additional time between questions and sections. 
• Test takers can also expect to receive their results within a few days after taking the exam.

SAT Exam Highlights

What is the best time to take the SAT Exam?

• The SAT exam is a crucial component of the college application process for many students. It's a standardized test that assesses a student's knowledge and skills in reading, writing, and math. With test dates offered several times a year, students often wonder what the best time is to take the SAT exam.
• However, here are a few factors to consider when deciding on the best time to take the SAT exam.
• Firstly, consider your availability and schedule. The SAT exam is typically offered in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. While it's recommended to take the exam early, if you have a packed schedule, you may need to take it at a time that is more convenient for you.
• Secondly, consider your level of preparedness. Most students take the SAT exam in their junior year of high school, but some take it earlier. It's essential to take the exam when you feel that you have adequately prepared, and you feel confident in your ability to do well. 
• Taking the test multiple times can also be beneficial, as it allows you to assess your performance and work on improving your weaker areas.
• Thirdly, consider college application deadlines. Many colleges have specific application deadlines, and it's crucial to make sure you take the exam in time to meet those deadlines.

What are the reasons to consider taking the SAT Exam?

The SAT is considered to be an important aspect of the undergraduate admissions process for various reasons. Below are a few listed explanations:

• Certain graduate schools provide SAT scholarships to Indian students based on their SAT scores.
• Some job applications require applicants to submit their College Board SAT scores.
• The SAT Exam does not cover complicated science topics, which can make it more manageable for students who do not come from a science background.
• Compared to the ACT, test-takers are given more time for the math, writing, and English sections on the SAT Exam.
• The SAT Exam only includes high school math topics in its preparation materials.
• On the day of the test, the SAT provides a formula diagram for math.
• There is no penalty for wrong answers on the SAT.
• The majority of top US colleges require SAT scores for undergraduate admissions.
• The SAT exam fee is relatively lower compared to taking the ACT or other exams.

How to Register for the SAT Exam?

Candidates can register for the SAT exam online via the College Board website, by mail, or over the phone. The registration process remains open throughout the year. In case of missing the late registration deadline, candidates can apply for a waitlist. Universities offer the following support for such candidates:

• Relaxing the score-sending deadlines
• Treating candidates who missed the test due to COVID-19 with equal fairness
• Considering candidates who took the test only once

Online SAT Registration:

To register for the exam online, candidates need to:

• Create a profile on the College Board website
• Fill out the application form, providing personal information, high school information, and contact information (e.g., mobile number, email address)
• Create a student profile
• Select the test and test center
• Upload a clear passport-sized photograph
• Use a credit card or PayPal to make the payment
• Print the admission ticket for future reference

SAT Registration by Mail:

Candidates can register by mail if they:

• Request testing closer to home
• Request Sunday testing for the first time
• Prefer to pay by check or money order
• Are younger than 13 years old
• Are unable to upload a photograph
• Are registering through a SAT international representative

To register by mail, candidates must:

1. Request the SAT Student Registration Booklet from a counselor or College Board
2. Fill out the application form
3. Mail the form, along with a check or money order for the application fee, using the registration envelope to:

• College Board SAT Program
• P.O. Box 7502
• London, KY 40742-7502

SAT Exam Eligibility

The College Board does not set strict eligibility criteria for the SAT exam. Candidates need to qualify for the test to be eligible to take it. However, there are a few minor criteria that candidates must adhere to:

Age Limit:

There is no minimum or maximum age limit for taking the College SAT exam. Students who have completed high school are eligible to take the test. Research indicates that students between the ages of 17 and 19 are the most likely to take the SAT.

Number of Attempts:

There are no restrictions on the number of times a candidate can take the SAT exam. The SAT exam is held five times a year in India, generally in March, May, August, October, and December.

Educational Eligibility:

There are no strict educational qualifications that candidates must fulfill to be eligible for the SAT exam. Students who are currently in high school and wish to pursue undergraduate studies abroad can take the SAT exam to further their academic progress.

ID Proof:

Candidates are required to carry a Passport or a valid Aadhar card as proof of identity. The ID proof should have a photograph, name, and signature on it. Any document that is torn, worn, scuffed, or damaged in any way will not be accepted.

SAT Exam Pattern 

• The SAT exam in 2023 will be administered as a computer-based test, rather than a paper-pencil test. 
• The standard duration of the College Board SAT test is three hours
• The SAT exam with the optional essay component included is three hours and fifty minutes long.
• The SAT exam pattern consists of four main sections: the SAT Reading test, the SAT Writing and Language test, the SAT Math test without a calculator, and the SAT Math test with a calculator. 
• The essay component of the SAT is not required, although some colleges may ask for it and evaluate its results separately. 
• The SAT score range remains between 400 and 1600.

SAT Exam Syllabus

• The SAT is a crucial factor in assessing a candidate's academic competence. The SAT Syllabus offers two widely taken exams - the SAT General Test and the SAT Subject Test.
• The SAT General Test is primarily taken by students who intend to enroll in undergraduate programs. It evaluates the candidate's writing, verbal, and mathematical skills.
• The SAT Subject Test, on the other hand, consists of 20 exams that are further divided into 5 subjects. Each of these SAT subjects covers various smaller topics. The five SAT subject categories include Mathematics, Science, Literature, History, and Languages.

SAT Scores

The SAT exam scores are based on a 200 to 800-point scale for each section, and the total SAT score is the sum of all sections. The highest possible score is 1600, which is achieved by scoring 800 on both sections. If the candidate takes the Essay test, they will receive a separate score based on Reading, Analysis, and Writing, ranging from 2 to 8. The raw SAT score is then converted into a scaled score using specific rules through the SAT Score Calculator. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers, and each question in all sections is worth 1 mark. The average SAT score is 1000.

SAT Exam Centres

How to Cancel the SAT Exam?

If a candidate is unwilling to take the test on a specific day and does not want to reschedule, they can cancel their test by not showing up. The College Board will automatically not count the results of that candidate. Cancellations cannot be made before five days of the scheduled test. In case of a canceled registration, a partial refund of $10 will be received, and the refund processing will begin six weeks after the test date.

Rescheduling SAT Exam Date

If you need to reschedule your SAT exam, you can do so through your official College Board account. Simply select a new test date and register for it, then cancel your previous SAT registration if it's no longer necessary. Please note that changing your test date costs $28 if you do so before the regular change deadline, and $35 if you do so after. Fortunately, there's no set deadline for rescheduling your SAT test, so you can make changes as needed to fit your schedule.

SAT Exam Day Guidelines

In light of COVID-19, SAT test centers have implemented strict guidelines for test day. These include:

• Wearing a mask is mandatory and candidates without masks will not be allowed to take the exam.
• Candidates must sit six feet apart from each other.
• Before taking the exam, candidates must answer health-related questions.
• If a candidate is feeling unwell before the test, they should contact customer service and stay home. They will not be charged a cancellation fee if the reason is sickness.
• Candidates must confirm the following statements:
• They have not been in close contact with someone who has had COVID-19 or presumed to have it within the last 14 days.
• They do not have any COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, cough, muscle pain, difficulty breathing, or chills.
• They are not violating any travel restrictions or quarantine requirements.

SAT Result

The SAT is scored on a scale of 400-1600, with separate scores for Reading, Writing and Language, and Math sections. The score report is typically available about two weeks after the test date and can be accessed through the College Board website.

To access your SAT Exam results in 2023, follow these steps:

• Log in to your College Board account and click on "My Organizer" in the top right corner of the page.
• From the drop-down menu, select "SAT scores."
• Click on "View Scores" and enter your username and password if prompted.
• Scroll down to the "My Test Scores" section to view your overall score and section scores.

Keep in mind that each college has its own criteria for evaluating SAT scores, and some may place greater importance on specific sections or require a minimum score for admission. Make sure to research the requirements of the colleges you're interested in applying to.