SAT Help

What is the SAT?

The SAT is a standardized multiple-choice test required as part of the college admissions process by many colleges and universities in the United States. The SAT aims to test students’ readiness to succeed in college-level courses by examining their abilities in Math, Writing, and Reading Comprehension. Whether you need SAT tutoring in Atlanta, SAT tutoring in Houston, or SAT tutoring in San Francisco, working one-on-one with an expert may be just the boost your studies need.

How does the SAT differ from the ACT?

The ACT consists of four core sections—Reading, English, Science, and Math—whereas the SAT consists of three core sections: Critical Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. The current 2015 version of the SAT includes a mandatory essay section, whereas the ACT only includes a written response question on the ACT Plus Writing test. On the current version of the SAT, guessing can potentially lower your score, whereas ACT scores are determined by the number of questions a test-taker answers correctly, meaning that guessing cannot hurt one’s ACT scores. Finally, the ACT aims to test what students have learned throughout their high school career, whereas the SAT aims to test their general readiness for college-level coursework.

How do I prepare for the SAT?

Varsity Tutors’ free SAT Flashcards can help you study for the SAT no matter how busy your schedule is. Each question has a full, step-by-step explanation of how to arrive at the correct answer, so if you miss a question, you can figure out exactly what missteps you made and avoid reinforcing incorrect assumptions. By creating a free Learning Tools account, you can track your results and improvement in each of the SAT’s subsections. You may want to start by taking one of our free SAT Diagnostic tests, which can help you pinpoint the specific topics on which it would most behoove you to focus limited study time. You can then answer questions specifically designed to test these particular concepts by running through our free SAT Flashcards or taking some of our free SAT practice tests, which are organized as random selections of problems as well as problems specific to a given concept. Varsity Tutors also offers resources like a free SAT prep book to help with your self-paced study, or you may want to consider an SAT tutor. In addition to the SAT diagnostic tests and SAT tutoring, you can even use Varsity Tutors’ apps to use study SAT Flashcards when you can’t sit in front of a computer to study. With so many high-quality resources available for free at your fingertips, you can study in a focused manner and feel completely prepared for your test date!

How much does taking the SAT cost?

$51.00 is the current price of registering for the SAT.

When can a student take the SAT? When should I take the SAT?

The SAT is administered once in each of the following months: October, November, December, January, May, and June. Many high-school students take the test twice, once near the end of their junior year and once near the start of their senior year. There is no limit on how many times someone may retake the SAT.

In what order are the SAT’s sections given?

The sections of the SAT appear in a predetermined, consistent order on every test. The first section is the Essay section, followed by two Writing sections, three Critical Reading sections, three Mathematics sections, and, lastly, an ungraded section of variable content. In contrast to the exam’s set order, Varsity Tutors’ free SAT Flashcards and other free SAT resources aren’t presented in any particular order; you can study whichever sections and topics you most need to study whenever you have time to study them.

What should I bring when taking the SAT?

On your SAT test date, you need to your testing site your admission ticket and photo identification, such as a driver’s license. You also need to bring no. 2 pencils and an eraser, as well as a calculator of an approved type for use on the Mathematics section. It is also recommended that you bring a small snack and some water, since during the scheduled break, you are allowed to drink water and eat a snack.

How are SAT scores calculated?

On the 2015 version of the SAT, each correct answer is worth 1 point, and students lose a quarter of a point per incorrect answer. Questions that are unanswered neither earn nor lose any points. A student’s raw score on a section is the total the number of points that student earns on the section within this scoring system. This raw score is translated into a scaled score that reflects the student’s performance as it compares to the scores other test-takers received when taking the same exam. The scaled scores currently range from 200 to 800 with 800 being a perfect score; however, the SAT will be switching to a different scoring system for the redesigned 2016 exam, in which subsection scores will be calculated on a 200 to 800 scale, and the raw score will be computed on a scale ranging from 400 to 1600.

When will my SAT scores be released?

A student’s SAT scores are generally released between two and three weeks after his or her test date. You can access your SAT scores online or through your school, or you can elect to have them sent to you via a paper score report sent by mail, though this option takes longer than online reception.

How is the SAT changing? When is the SAT changing?

Starting in Spring 2016, students will take a redesigned version of the SAT that is significantly different from the current version of the exam. The redesigned SAT will not penalize students for guessing, as it will compute scores solely based on the number of correct answers submitted. Calculators will not be allowed on specific parts of the Mathematics section, and the scoring system will be altered; instead of composite scores being scaled to a 200 to 800 scale, they will be scaled to a 400 to 1600 scale, much like previous versions of the test. Sentence completion questions will no longer be included on the exam, and the vocabulary tested will shift to become more relevant to the collegiate educational experience. The SAT will still test the same topics, but in different ways, in order to better prepare students for success in college.