What is SAT Exam?

The SAT is a standardized test utilized for college admissions in both the United States and Canada, which is fully owned, developed, and published by the College Board - a private, not-for-profit organization in the US. Its purpose is to assess literacy, numeracy, and writing skills that are deemed essential for achieving academic success in college.

Why Take the SAT Exam?

Most schools in the US require the SAT as part of their entrance requirements, making it a necessity for students looking to enroll in undergraduate programs there. In addition, depending on their success on the test, students may also be eligible to receive SAT scholarships from particular universities.

Types of SAT Exams

The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), also known as SAT 1, is administered by the College Board and is a mandatory exam for students seeking admission to undergraduate programs in the US. The SAT 1 is a general test designed to assess a candidate's proficiency in written, verbal, and mathematical skills. In contrast, the SAT 2 is a subject specific test that students take to demonstrate their knowledge in a particular subject relevant to their desired course of study. However, as of June 2021, the College Board has discontinued the SAT Subject Tests, and now students only need to take the SAT 2023 to apply for admission to their preferred undergraduate programs.

SAT Exam Highlights
Exam Name SAT
SAT full form Scholastic Assessment Test
Official Website https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat
SAT Exam Duration 2 hours 14 minutes
Most popular for Undergraduate courses in the US and Canada
Also accepted by The United Kingdom and Australia
Conducted by College Board
Mode of Exam Online
SAT Fee $60 + $30
Score Range on a 1600 scale point

SAT Exam Eligibility

There are no specific eligibility requirements set by the College Board, the governing body responsible for administering the SAT exam, for students interested in taking the test. For further SAT tips and strategies, please refer to our resource.

1. Age Limit to Appear for SAT

It is essential to keep in mind that there are no age restrictions or constraints for students who wish to take the SAT exam. Nonetheless, research demonstrates that a considerable percentage of students aged 17 to 19 often opt for the SAT.

2. How many times can you take the SAT exam?

Similar to the ACT, the College Board does not impose any limitations on the number of times students can take the SAT exam. In India, the SAT is offered five times a year, typically in March, May, August, October, and December.

3. What are the educational eligibility criteria for SAT?

Although the College Board, which is responsible for administering the SAT exam, has not established any specific eligibility requirements, the test is generally intended for high school students. To progress to the next level of their education, students wishing to pursue undergraduate studies abroad must have successfully completed their high school education.

SAT Exam Syllabus

The SAT exam syllabus encompasses subjects that students have already studied during their years in school. Therefore, if students excel in their studies, they should not encounter any difficulties in preparing for the SAT exam. The SAT syllabus includes:

SAT Writing Section
  • SAT writing has three sections
  • Essay section - 25 mins
  • Multiple choice sections - 25 mins and 10 mins
  • Critical Reading Section
  • SAT contains three critical reading sections
  • Reading comprehension - 25 mins
  • Sentence completions - 25 mins
  • Paragraph-length critical reading - 20 mins
  • Math Section
  • SAT contains three Math sections
  • Algebra and functions - 25 mins
  • Geometry Statistics - 20 mins
  • Probability and Data analysis - 20 mins
  • Digital SAT Exam Structure

    Exam pattern
    Reading and Writing (64 minutes)1st Module - 25 Operational questions and 2 pretest questions Time Allotted – 32 minutes

    2nd Module - 25 Operational questions and 2 pretest questions Time Allotted - 32 minutes Total Marks – 800

    Mathematics (70 minutes) 1st Module - 20 Operational questions and 2 pretest questions Time Allotted - 35 minutes

    2nd Module - 20 Operational questions and 2

    pretest questions Time Allotted - 35 minutes Total Marks – 800

    Writing Section (50 mins) 2 tasks of writing essay responses based on reading and listening
    Total Scores SAT scores are out of 1600
    Total Time 2 hours 14 mins (Digital)

    SAT Exam Dates

    The SAT exams are conducted in various Educational Testing Service centers and schools throughout India, and the results of the SAT scores are published online within two weeks of the exam. Universities solely accept official test scores published by the College Board in the student's account. Following the publication of their test results, students may send their scores to a maximum of four colleges or universities for no extra charge.

    SAT exam dates in India are held concurrently with the rest of the world except for the US, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands.

    SAT Exam Fees

  • Registration Fees :- USD 98.5
  • Rescheduling Fees :- USD 30
  • Test Center Change Fees : -USD 30
  • Other Miscellaneous Fees :- USD 15
  • SAT Registration

    Students wanting to appear for the SAT are required to register for the same. SAT is an important examination for students wanting to pursue their bachelors in the United States or Canada among the top study-abroad countries. Students can do SAT exam registration the offline method via mail or through the more convenient, online method. Through the online method, candidates are required to create a login id on the official.

    SAT website and go ahead with the registration process:-
  • Step 1:- Sign in to your free College Board account.
  • Step 2:- Fill in your profile details.
  • Step 3:- Decide whether to sign up for the SAT with Essay.
  • Step 4:- Upload a photo that meets very specific photo requirements.
  • Step 5:- Check out, and print your admission ticket.
  • Preparing for the SAT exam can be a challenging but rewarding experience. With proper study materials, practice, and dedication, students can improve their scores and increase their chances of admission to their desired colleges and universities. The SAT exam is a widely recognized and accepted standardized test, and it's essential to do well on it to stand out among the competition.

    If you're a student preparing for the SAT exam, consider using Maxxcell's SAT exam preparation resources. Our comprehensive study materials and personalized coaching can help you achieve your desired score and increase your chances of admission to your Dream College or university. Contact us today to learn more about our SAT preparation programs.

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    F.A.Q.

    Although we have shared all the information with you on our website, if there are any queries that are unaddressed,
    you can find the answers to them below in our FAQs:

    The SAT exam consists of two main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math. The Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section includes Reading and Writing and Language tests, while the Math section includes a calculator and a no-calculator section.
    You can take the SAT exam as many times as you want. However, it is recommended that you only take the test a maximum of 3 times.
    A good SAT score varies depending on the college or university you are applying to. In general, a score of 1200 or above (out of 1600) is considered a good score.
    The SAT exam is administered 7 times a year in the United States: in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. The exact dates for the SAT exam vary each year.
    The difficulty level of the SAT exam varies from person to person. However, with proper preparation and practice, anyone can achieve a good score on the test.