SAT Test

By Crystal Schwanke

Your SAT test scores are one thing colleges look at when they're deciding whether or not to admit you. Generally, you take the test during your junior year in high school, but some students wait until their senior year. You then submit the scores with your college application. Required test scores vary from college to college, but you can take the test more than once to get a higher score if that's what you need to get into a certain college.

The SAT test is broken down into three parts--verbal, math and writing. It's three hours and forty-five minutes long and mostly multiple-choice. Check with your guidance counselor or visit the College Board to find out when and where it's offered, registration deadlines and fees.

You may have heard something about the SAT Subject Test as well as the regular SAT Reasoning one. They are also referred to as SAT-II and SAT-I, respectively. Fewer universities require the SAT-II, but it measures your knowledge in distinct subjects instead of your overall reasoning ability.

This multiple-choice section is designed to test your vocabulary and reading skills. You may have heard of the SAT analogies section, but this portion was removed as part of an overall revamp that included changing the name from "verbal" to "critical reading" and adding a writing component. You'll need a strong vocabulary and good reading comprehension for a high score.

This portion of the test checks your algebra, geometry, and trigonometry skills. A scientific calculator is recommended, but not required.

The writing section is a recent addition to the test. They'll give you a topic, and you write a timed essay. Since colleges try to sculpt your writing abilities anyway, this allows them to make better admissions decisions. Students must also complete multiple-choice questions focused on identifying errors and improving writing.

Some colleges will require you to take both the SAT-I and the SAT-II. The SAT-II is subject-specific, with each part taking about an hour. Available tests include biology, French, mathematics, chemistry, world history, Japanese with listening and more. Colleges usually want a writing test, a math test, and a test of the student's choice.

The College Board is a good place to find out more about registering, getting your scores and studying. The site offers explanations of each section and the types of questions they include, and a free downloadable practice test. If you're unsure of where you want to go to college, they can help you find your match, as well. You can also study online at other sites or buy test preparation books.

• The Official SAT Study Guide
• Cracking the New SAT, 2006
• Spark Notes the New SAT.

• SAT Test tips offers a list of helpful hints like math formulas.
• Visit SAT Test vocabulary for a list of words you might see on the test. Quick tip: You might want to make flash cards from these words and their meanings. You can study while waiting for the bus, between classes or whenever you have a free moment.
• Test Prep Review provides free practice tests.

• The day before the test, you'll probably want to take a break from studying to refresh your mind.
• Get plenty of sleep the night before; the test is long and potentially exhausting.
• Eat a healthy breakfast. Hunger does terrible things to test scores.
• Make sure you know where the testing site is and allow plenty of time to get there. Testing starts promptly, and you won't be given extra time if you arrive late.
• Make sure you have a #2 pencil with you when you go in to take the test. No pens will be allowed.
• Bring a calculator in case you need to use it on the math sections.
• Take a deep breath, relax, and do your best.

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