Some useful tips and advice for preparing and sitting the SAT reasonoing and SAT subject exams.
The Scholastic Aptitude Test, known worldwide as SAT, is an examination system developed by the College Board in the USA. The College Board is an association of several thousand schools and universities whose main purpose is to facilitate the crucial yet formidable, and often confusing, process of entering higher or further education. As more and more of today’s high school students look to extend their education rather than enter the workforce, the work of the College Board becomes increasingly important.
Institutes of further education are not obliged to use the SAT as part of the application/selection process, but the majority do. This reflects the esteem in which the system is held among academics faced with the tough decision-making process that decides who gets a place and who doesn’t – decisions that can profoundly influence the life of the individual student, and that will also reflect on the institution itself. Senior academics responsible for admissions the world over are looking for potential in the candidates that come to them, but they also need to ask the question ‘Can this student cope with the course we are gong to put them through?’ An SAT score is one of the many criteria they can utilize to make admissions selections that are good for the student and good for the institution.
The SAT also allows for an objective, standardized measurement which helps provide an underlying foundation to the admissions decision which, by its very nature, can be highly subjective. This is particularly useful when considering candidates from overseas. An academic in a US institution has not necessarily had any exposure to the content and nature of teaching and certification systems in other countries. While there are traditional links between old friends – many UK universities have very old ties to US counterparts for example – many newer relationships are being forged as economic growth in other parts of the world, especially Asia, has driven the necessary parallel growth in educational expertise and excellence. An SAT score immediately allows the US admissions person to place an overseas student into a comparative position with their US high school peers. The moral of the story? If you want to go to university in the US, take the SAT. No questions, no ifs, no buts. Take it.
One of the things I like about the system is that you get more than one shot at it, and you don’t have to let anyone know your scores until you want them to. This is an immense pressure release valve. It means you can sit the test in real conditions and not have any concerns about flunking. But you might ace it first time and then you can get on with your curriculum work in moderately more comfortable circumstances. If you don’t do so well (many schools publish minimum scores so you have a target), no problem. Practice some more and try again. You can take the test up to three times and only submit your best effort.
For more details on the content of SAT, please visit Preparing for the SAT reasoning and SAT subject test .
