SAT Coaching Overview
SAT stands for ‘Scholastic Assessment test’ and is an entrance test for students aspiring to admit for undergraduate courses abroad, especially in the US and Canada colleges and universities. It is a written paper-pencil test and helps evaluate the language and mathematical reasoning skills of the applicants. Also, the universities you apply to, also take into consideration your SAT scores when you apply for admission.
What is the New SAT?
In the year 2016, major changes were made in the SAT examination format and pattern and it converted to the New SAT. Though the basic eligibility and maxim of the exam are the same, a lot of the other things, including the subject names, examination duration and valuation pattern has been changed in the New SAT.
Where the old SAT exam contained sections of critical reading, writing and Mathematics, the new SAT exam contains sections of evidence-based reading & writing and Mathematics. There is also an essay section in the examination, but it is optional for the applicants. We would suggest you appear for the essay section of the examination too, as that can help you improve your SAT scores.
The time duration for the SAT has also been changed in the new SAT from 3 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours for the applicants not appearing for the essay section and 3 hours 50 minutes for the applicants appearing for the essay section. Besides this, the new SAT valuation system has also been changed, where the papers are now valued between a score range of 400-1600, in place of the old 600-2400 scale. Also, there is no marks penalty for wrong answers in the New SAT.
What is the eligibility criteria for SAT Exam?
Even though there are no set SAT exam eligibility or age criteria for appearing in the SAT text, students usually appear for this examination after they have finished high school and have to admit for undergraduate courses. So, generally, students within the age group of 16-18 years take this test.
However, you must note that there is no set age limit for appearing in the examination. The applicants in the age group of 12 years or less are also eligible to apply for SAT, but by mail only. There is no upper age bar for the examination.
How to register and apply for the SAT test?
The SAT test registration only has one requirement and it is that you must have a valid original passport if you are appearing for the examination.
Registering for the SAT test is a very easy process and like most examination, for SAT too you have to apply online, except for some situations in which the applicants can apply by mail. Both the online and mail application process has been discussed below in brief.
Online registration:
- You need to register online and create a profile on the College Board website.
- You need to fill the complete SAT application form thoroughly on the website and create a corresponding student profile for yourself.
- Once all the personal and educational details filled, you need to select the test and test centre for the examination.
- Then you have to upload a clear photograph of yourself on the form.
- After this, you have to pay the respective examination fee online and submit the application.
- After submission, once your examination admission ticket is available you only need to print that for your examination.
Application through mail:
This system of SAT application is available for candidates in the conditions, if the candidate is –
- 13 years or younger in age
- wants to request testing near their home
- are unable to upload a digital photograph
- Want to pay the examination fee by money order or check.
The registration process in these cases is as given below.
- You need to request SAT student registration booklet from your education counsellor or School board.
- You need to fill the application form for the SAT examination available in the booklet according to the guidelines given in the booklet.
- This filled application form along with the money order/check for the application fee of the examination should mailed to the address given on the booklet in a registration envelope.
What is the fees structure for applying for the New SAT test?
The fees structure for the New SAT test can divided into two parts, viz. for applicants appearing for the optional essay section and for the applicants not appearing for the essay section. The fees structure for both categories is as given below.
- For applicants appearing for the essay section: US $ 64.50+ US $ 49 = US $ 113.5
- For applicants not appearing for the essay section: US $ 47.50 + US $ 49 = US $ 96.5.
What is the New SAT Exam format?
As we have mentioned above, the new SAT test format 2019 consists of three sections, which are the Experience-based reading and writing section, Mathematics and the optional essay section. To explain the SAT exam format better, we have further described each of the sections individually in detail.
· Evidence-based reading and writing (EBRW) section:
This section of the SAT examination evaluates your English language skills and gives a score between 200-800. It is further divided into reading and writing sections, while the final score determined by the combined score of both these sections.
A. Reading section:
The reading section of the SAT exam is 65 minutes long and comprises of 52 multiple-choice questions. These questions based on 5 passages and all questions are evidence-based that require the student to analyze and interpret the information given in the passages.
Passages may be single or paired with informational graphics such as charts or tables. The passages are drawn from the US and World Literature, History/Social Studies and Science. You are expected to read the passage carefully and answer the questions properly in a way as expected or asked in the questions.
The questions asked in this section are generally of three types, i.e Factual questions based directly or indirectly on the main idea of the passage, Rhetoric questions that will ask you to discuss the meaning, style or tone conveyed in the passage and the Synthesis questions that will ask you to draw a conclusion or connection between given passages, graphics, charts or tables.
B. Writing Section:
The Writing and Language section of the SAT is 35 minutes long and comprises of 44 multiple choice questions based on 4 passages. This section focuses on your ability to analyze and edit the content of the passage, which means you will have to correct grammar and make changes in the passage. You are asked to edit/rectify errors in sentences within the passage, identify sentences that correct the misinterpretation of a graphical data, select sentences that sharpen an argument or add relevant supporting detail.
Some passages are accompanied by informational graphics, such as tables, graphs and charts. The passages appearing in this section of the examination are narrative, informative, explanatory and argumentative, one of each sort.
The questions asked in this section can be categorised as Standard English Convention questions where you will be asked to correct grammatical errors and punctuation errors in the given passage and the questions based on Expression of Idea, where you will be asked to improve the language of the passage along with improving the structure and organization of the idea depicted in the passage.
D. Essay Section (Optional):
The New SAT has included an optional 50 minutes long Essay section in the examination. Even though it is optional we would recommend you to take the SAT exam with the Essay as some schools may require the essay score.
In this section, you will be provided with a passage and will be asked to analyse how the author effectively builds his or her argument. The essay will not require you to write about a personal experience or argue with a position; rather it requires you to understand the techniques used by the author to write persuasively and support your explanation with evidence from the passage.
How is the SAT scored?
SAT has two main sections- Math and Evidence-based Reading and Writing. You can get a score between 200 and 800 on each of the two sections; making a total score out of 1600.
Points are not deducted for incorrect answers, meaning you can attempt all the questions.
The SAT essay is scored separately. The essay is scored twice, you can get a score of 1-4 both times, making the total