What Is the SAT Exam?
The SAT, or Scholastic Aptitude Test, is a type of entrance exam used by many different colleges and universities in the United States to make decisions about student admissions. The SAT is all multiple-choice and is via pencil and paper. The test was invented and is administered by the College Board.
The purpose of the SAT is to measure how ready and skilled an individual is before entering college. The test is for high school students in grades ten through twelve. The SAT is very useful, as it measures a high school student’s projected skill level and whether or not they are ready for school. The test itself isn’t a barrier to high education– instead, it can help students in high school better prepare for college and fix problems in their education before they graduate. The SAT is often taken in conjunction with the ACT, another common aptitude test for high school students pursuing higher education. The higher one’s scores on the SAT are, the more options they will have in terms of scholarships and financial assistance for school. The test is offered for seven months out of the year for high school students. We recommend taking the SAT in your junior year of high school. However, students can take the test up to their senior year of high school. It’s better to take the SAT earlier, as it will provide the student with time to prepare and retake the test.
What Is on the SAT?
The SAT is approximately three hours long, with an additional fifty minutes allotted for those who want to take the optional essay portion of the exam. There are three different sections in the SAT: math, reading and writing, and an optional essay section. SAT essay scores are separate from the rest of the exam. Some schools may require individuals to complete the SAT essay, but this depends on the individual school. The test is on a 200 to 800 point scale for each section. The total score for one’s SAT is the sum of each section, making the highest possible score 1600.
The math section of the SAT will include questions related to algebra, problem-solving, data analysis, and advanced math. The reading and writing portion of the test will dive into various fields, such as history, social studies, science, and other subjects.
How Do I Study for the SAT?
Students should start studying for the SAT a few months in advance of the test date. We recommend taking a practice SAT before studying. Practice will provide you with the foundation for your studies and help identify your pain points. From here, it helps to take another two practice tests as you study to ensure that you are improving and learning the right materials and books. There are plenty of materials online that students can use to study. We also recommend taking a break the night before the test to avoid burnout when the test occurs the following day.
SAT Exam FAQs
The SAT exam is to help students in high school prepare for college and display the skills and aptitude necessary for college attendance. High school counsellors will use these scores to help students improve their education and prepare for college, and college admissions teams will use SAT scores for admission and placement purposes.
A good SAT exam score is usually 1200 or greater. Any score above the 50th percentile is decent because that means that the test taker has scored better than a majority of test-takers.
The highest possible SAT exam score is 1600. This score is the sum of both sections of the SAT. It isn't easy to get a perfect score on the exam, and a grade of 1200 or greater is usually considered acceptable for most colleges.
There are no eligibility requirements to take the SAT exam. Anyone in high school, undergraduate, or who wants to go to college later in life can take the SAT exam. In general, there isn't much of a point in taking the SAT if one does not plan to pursue higher education. However, many high school students who previously did not consider college have chosen to attend school after seeing their SAT scores.
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How Do I Become a SAT Tutor?
If you have a passion for teaching others and love the SAT, becoming a SAT tutor is easy. You need a minimum of a high school degree or GED to start teaching kindergarten and middle school grade levels. You may need a degree in a specialist subject for higher-level SAT courses depending on the level of practice you plan to teach. The costs of SAT tutors vary because you will set your pay rates and time schedules depending on your own experience and circumstances.
Your first step will be to decide which topics you’d like to tutor. Then choose the age groups and grade levels you want to teach. Learn the curriculum and critical concepts for those grade levels. And lastly, establish your teaching methods, tools, and eventually, you will create your own course materials over time as you get more experience working with students.
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