According to Wikipedia, SAT is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States which was first introduced in 1926 and its name and scoring have changed several times.
SAT was originally called the Scholastic Aptitude Test, then the Scholastic Assessment Test, then the SAT I: Reasoning Test, then the SAT Reasoning Test, and now simply the SAT.
SAT is owned and published by the College Board which is a private, nonprofit organization in the United States. It is developed and administered on behalf of the College Board by the The College Board, a private, non-profit organization in the United States, owns, develops, and publishes the SAT entirely. It is administered on behalf of the College Board by the Educational Testing Service, which also created the SAT until recently. The test is designed to assess students’ college readiness.
The SAT was not originally intended to be aligned with high school curricula. but several changes were made for the version of the SAT introduced in 2016, and College Board president David Coleman has stated that he also wanted to make the test more closely reflect what students learn in high school with the new Common Core standards.
Is SAT only for US universities?
The standardized test – SAT – is a requirement for a Bachelor’s degree in the United States. However, while not required, some universities in other countries, such as Singapore, the United Kingdom, Canada, Finland, and Australia, accept scores on the same for a Bachelor’s degree level.
Structure of SAT
The current SAT takes 3 hours to complete, plus an additional 50 minutes for the SAT with essay. The SAT has a possible score range of 400 to 1600, based on the results of two 800-point sections: Mathematics and Critical Reading and Writing.
The SAT is scored on a 400 to 1600 scale. You will also receive subscore reporting for every test—math, reading, and writing and language—plus additional subscores to provide added insight into your test performance.
SAT consists of three major sections:
- Critical Reading,
- Mathematics, and Writing.
Each section is graded on a scale of 200–800. All of the scores are multiples of ten. Total scores are computed by adding the scores from each of the three sections.
Each major section is broken down into three sections. There are ten sub-sections, plus a 25-minute experimental or “equating” section that can be included in any of the three major sections.
The experimental section is used to normalize questions for future SAT administrations and does not contribute to the overall score.
The actual timed sections of the test last 3 hours and 45 minutes; most administrations (after accounting for orientation, distribution of materials, completion of biographical sections, and fifteen minutes of timed breaks) last about four and a half hours.
Depending on the results of the experimental sections, the questions range from easy to medium to difficult. In most sections, easier questions appear near the beginning of the section, while harder questions appear near the end.
This is not true for every section (the Critical Reading section is ordered chronologically), but it is the general rule for math, grammar, and the 19 sentence completions in the reading sections.
About the Reading Test
You will read passages and interpret informational graphics when taking the Reading Test. Then you’ll apply what you’ve learned to respond to questions.
Some questions require you to locate a piece of information or an idea that has been stated directly. However, you must also comprehend what the author’s words imply. To put it another way, you must read between the lines.
Learn more about the Critical Reading Test by visiting the College Board SAT page
About the Writing and Language Test
Some questions require a close examination of a single sentence. Others necessitate reading the entire piece as well as interpreting a graphic. For example, you may be asked to select a sentence that corrects a misunderstanding of a scientific chart or that better explains the significance of the data.
The passages you improve will cover a wide range of topics, including careers, history, social studies, the humanities, and science.
Learn more about the Critical Reading Test by visiting the College Board SAT page
About the Math Test
The SAT Math Test covers a variety of math practices, with a focus on problem solving, modeling, strategic tool use, and algebraic structure.
- Most math questions will be multiple choice, but some, known as grid-ins, will require you to come up with the answer rather than select it.
- The Math Test is divided into two sections: Calculator Math Test and No Calculator Math Test.
- Some sections of the test include multiple-choice questions about a single scenario.
Visit the Critical Reading Test website to learn more about it. College Board SAT page
Main Components of the SAT
Reading Test – 65 minutes, 52 questions
Writing and Language Test – 35 minutes, 44 questions
Math Test – two sections:
1) No calculator – 25 minutes, 20 questions
2) Calculator permitted – 55 minutes, 38 questions
Optional essay section (50 minutes)
How to Prepare and Practice For SAT
Because the SAT is primarily based on what you did in secondary or high school, the questions are commonplace, and the best way to prepare for the test is to look at the sample questions that are available. here.
The College Board recommends Khan Academy’s SAT prep test, which is a really nice and free test prep platform. To participate, go to the Practice Page.
List of SAT Centers in Nigeria
The available and approved centers are the Abuja center, Abia State center, Anambra State center, Lagos State centers, Kwara State center, Enugu State center, Benin Edo State center, Ibadan center, Jos center, Kaduna State center, Osun State, Rivers State center.
How Much Should I Budget?
I would recommend budgeting ₦65,000 or more.It should be noted that this estimate is based on SATswritten by some in Nigeria over the last two years. You may have to pay more depending on where you take the test.
How to Register For SAT
After deciding on a testing location near you, you can either go there to find out more information and register, or you can go to the College Board SAT page, open an account, and register.
