SAT Test

The SAT Test (sometimes called the SAT Reasoning Test, the SAT I, the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or the Scholastic Achievement Test) is a nearly four-hour college admissions exam required by most colleges.

Format and Content of the SAT Test

The SAT Test covers three areas: Critical Reading, Math, and Writing.

Critical Reading includes one 20-minute section and two 25-minute sections. Those sections have three types of questions: sentence completion, short passage comprehension, and long passage comprehension. All Critical Reading questions are multiple choice.

Math includes one 20-minute section and two 25-minute sections. Those sections have questions that test everything from general math skills through basic second-year algebra. With the exception of ten "free-response" questions, all Math questions are multiple choice.

Writing includes one 10-minute section and two 25-minute sections. One of the 25-minute sections is an essay on a specified topic. The other sections have three types of multiple-choice questions: improving sentences, improving paragraphs, and identifying errors.

In addition, every SAT has an experimental section on which the test maker tries out new questions. Your experimental section might be Critical Reading, Math, or Writing. You won't be able to tell whether or not a given section is experimental.

What's a Good SAT Score?

The average SAT score is roughly 500 per section, for a total of 1500. The maximum SAT score is 800 per section, for a total of 2400. (Here's some additional info about how the SAT Writing section is scored.)

What's a "good" SAT score? The answer depends on where you're applying! Here's how to figure it out: Pick up a college guide or visit a college search site, such as College Board's College Search. Look up a college you're interested in, then locate its "middle 50%" SAT scores.

That "middle 50%" score range tells you how that school's typical freshmen did. For example, if the middle 50% for the Math section is reported as 540 - 660, then half of freshman scored between 540 and 660. Another quarter of them scored below 540, and the last quarter scored above 660.

If your SAT scores fall within the middle 50%, you're likely to be a reasonable candidate for that college. If they fall above, even better.

Of course, SAT scores are just one component of your application, so consider this information a guideline, not a guarantee.

How Colleges Use the SAT Test

Most colleges require the SAT as part of the admissions process, with some "test-optional" exceptions. But please note: many colleges accept the ACT Test as a substitute, and some colleges require SAT Subject Tests in addition.

Why do colleges require tests like the SAT? They say the SAT enables them to compare students more fairly, since grading practices vary from teacher to teacher and from school to school, but the SAT grades everyone the same way.

Which scores do colleges look at? Many colleges cherry-pick the best score for Critical Reading, Math, and Writing, even if those scores are from different test dates. However, some colleges—like the University of California schools—just take the single best overall test date. If necessary, you can contact a school to find out its policy.

How heavily do colleges weight standardized tests like the SAT? Well, most colleges don't have a simple formula—they look at the "big picture" of your application instead. In addition, not every school is looking for the same kind of student. That said, however, here's a very loose rule of thumb: colleges give roughly equal consideration to your academic record, SATs and other standardized tests, and personal/extracurricular profile.

When to Take the SAT Test

The SAT Test is offered throughout the school year according to this schedule. Note that you'll need to sign up about a month in advance—and the earlier you sign up, the better your chances of getting a conveniently located test center.

Ideally, plan to take the SAT Test two to three times. It often makes sense to take the SAT twice during the second half of Junior year (January through June). Then, if you're not content with your results, you can retake the test in the fall of your Senior year.

Try to take the SAT Test by fall of your Senior year, at latest. Winter of senior year may be too late. Colleges have various testing deadlines, so contact the colleges you're considering if you're concerned about finishing your SAT Test in time to apply.

Plan your testing schedule carefully. It can be hard to fit in all these tests, especially if you have lots of SAT Subject Tests to take or extracurricular commitments that fall on weekends.

By the way, you can take the SAT if you're younger than a Junior or Senior, but you probably won't have the level of academic preparation needed to do your best. Instead, consider taking the PSAT or trying out a prep book.

9 SAT Prep Ideas—Including Free Ones

Here are 9 SAT prep ideas. The free ones are marked (*).

1. Practice tests (Kaplan*, College Board*, Peterson's*)
2. Prep books (local library*, Amazon)
3. Software
4. Online or in-person courses (ePrep trial*, Number2.com*, Kaplan)
5. DVDs
6. Online vocabulary practice (Vocab Builder*, DictionarySquared*)
7. Flashcards
8. Vocabulary in audio format (podcasts*, Flocabulary)
9. Shower curtains!

More Information

For more information about the SAT, visit the College Board or our SAT Test FAQ.