What is the SAT Test?

The SAT test, now known as the SAT reasoning test, is a standardized college admission test, and many colleges use SAT scores as one part of their criteria to assess and choose college applicants. The test measures a student’s level of knowledge, ability to reason, critical thinking and whether a student is ready to begin college classes. In addition to the standard SAT test, college applicants may also choose to take a specific SAT subject test to enhance their application.

The SAT Test Format

The SAT test includes three portions: Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing. All sections must be completed within specific time frames and each section contributes to one third of your total SAT score.

The Critical Reading portion of the test includes three sections broken down into two 25 minute sections and one 20 minute section. The sections all include questions which are based on sentence completion (19 questions) and reading a passage (48 questions), and they test a student’s reading and grammar skills, vocabulary, comprehension and reasoning.

The Mathematics portion of the test includes three sections broken down into two 25 minute sections and one 20 minute section. One 25 minute section consists of 20 multiple choice questions, the other consists of 10 ‘grid-in’ questions and 8 multiple choice questions. The 20 minute section consists of 16 multiple choice questions. Multiple choice questions will present a mathematical equation or statement with possible answers, while ‘grid-in’ questions require test takers to provide their own answers.

The Writing portion of the test includes two sections: a 25 minute essay and a 35 minute multiple choice section. The essay portion of the test will present a statement and ask students to provide a written response in the form of an essay - including opinions, thoughts, supporting or conflicting arguments about the statement etc. The multiple choices include three types of questions which consist of identifying grammatical errors in a sentence, improving upon a sentence and improving a paragraph.

Taking the SAT Test

The SAT test is most commonly taken during the later portion of a student’s junior year in high school or during the senior year. Students who receive a GED (General Educational Diploma) may register to take an SAT test as well for their college applications.

Students may register to take the test through the College Board, their local high school or a local SAT tutoring center. Currently the test costs $47 dollars.

SAT Test Scores

Each portion of the SAT test has a possible score of between 200 and 800 points, for a total score of 2400. Colleges generally do not offer specific information on the SAT scores they are looking for, but typically total scores which are well above average (average score results for the past few years are around 1500 to 1600) tend to stand out in a college application.