TOPICS

The SAT Reasoning Test (also known as The SAT) is produced by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors. It is a measure of the critical thinking skills that students need for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well the test taker analyzes and solves problems - skills that should have been learned in school and will be needed in college.

BEGINNING SAT PREPARATION

THE THREE SAT QUESTION TYPES  Critical Reading   Mathematics Writing (includes a short essay)  CRITICAL READING. The CRITICAL READING SECTION, formerly known as (f/k/a) the verbal section, measures SENTENCE COMPLETIONS and PASSAGE-BASED READING. For each of these two links, read the introduction, do the two sample questions (each of which comes with an answer and explanation). Also read Pages 5-12 of the SAT PREPARATION BOOKLET.  MATHEMATEICS. The  MATHEMATICS SECTION has two types of questions: MULTIPLE CHOICE and STUDENT-PRODUCED RESPONSE QUESTIONS (not multiple-choice questions). For each of the two preceding links, read the introduction, do the sample questions (each of which come with an answer and explanation). Also read pages13-25 of the SAT PREPARATION BOOKLET.  WRITING. The WRITING SECTION includes a Short Essay (see this link for two links to information about Short Essay). The time allowed for the SAT Essay is twenty-five minutes and it counts for approximately thirty percent of the writing section score; the other seventy percent consists of multple-choice questions: IDENTIFYING SENTENCE ERRORS, IMPROVING SENTENCES, and IMPROVING PARAGRAPHS. For each of these three links, read the introduction, do the sample questions (each of which come with an answer and explanation) and check out Approaches for one of these three links. Also read Pages 26-30 of The SAT PREPARATION BOOKLET. SAT ESSAY (Part of the Writing Section).  HOW THE ESSAY IS SCORED  STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS ON THE SAT ESSAY gives three strategies that the College Board would like you to consider:   Also read Pages 31-37 of The SAT PREPARATION BOOKLET. SAT PREPARATION CENTER.   The SAT PREPARATION CENTER provides more online sample questions and indicates College Board preparation materials. OFFICIAL SAT PRACTICE TESTS.   Preparing well for the SAT implies taking official practice tests--"you'll reinforce your test-taking skills, become familiar with the test format, and learn where to focus additional study."

SAT A PRACTICE TEST

The SAT PREPARATION BOOKLET is on the internet and very likely available (at no cost) from your high school guidance counselor. The first thirty-six pages of this booklet give advise on handling some SAT Question Types and give some SAT Practice Questions with Detailed Solutions. Take these thirty-six pages very seriously. Beginning on Page 37 an Official SAT Practice Test with access to answers and explanations (see next item).    THE OFFICIAL SAT PRACTICE TEST is the same practice test that appears in the SAT Preparation Booklet. If you do not have a hard copy of the SAT Preparation Booklet (pages 37-84), THE OFFICIAL SAT PRACTICE TEST can be used to print out the practice test. The tools provided by The Official SAT Practice Test can be used to enter your answers, get a score report, and view answer explanations.     Start the day off right with THE OFFICIAL SAT QUESTION OF THE DAY.

SAT GENERAL INFORMATION LINKS

COLLEGE BOARD: GENERAL INFORMATION LINKS SAT FAQ1 and SAT FAQ2 (See page 3) SAT CALENDAR AND FEES SAT FEES SAT FEE WAIVERS SAT REGISTRATION

HOW STUFF WORKS: GENERAL INFORMATION LINKS HOW SATs WORK?, WHAT IS THE SAT?, and WHY THE SAT IS IMPORTANT? WHAT IS THE SAT II? and WHEN SHOULD I TAKE THE SAT? WHAT KINDS OF QUESTIONS CAN I EXPECT ON THE SAT? CAN I STUDY FOR THE SAT and TESTS MAKE ME NERVOUS -- WHAT IF I PANIC? WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TEST DAY? and HOW IS THE SAT SCORED?  WHEN WILL I KNOW MY SCORES? and MAY I TAKE THE SAT AGAIN?.

COLLEGE BOARD: GENERAL TEST DAY INFORMATION SAT TEST DAY SNACK POLICY (What do bring and not to bring)   SAT TEST DAY (Tips to help you do your best) TEST-TAKING APPROACHES (six general approaches to help you do your best on the SAT)

SAT GENERAL INFORMATION

THE UNSCORED SECTION. In addition, there is one 25-minute unscored section, known as the variable or equating section. This unscored section may be either a critical reading, mathematics, or writing multiple-choice section. This unscored section does not count toward the final score, but is used to try out new questions for future editions of the SAT and to ensure that scores on new editions of the SAT are comparable to scores on earlier editions of the test.

TEST ORDER. The 25-minute essay will always be the first section of the SAT, and the 10-minute multiple-choice writing section will always be the final section. The remaining six 25-minute sections can appear in any order, as can the two 20-minute sections. Test takers sitting next to each other in the same testing session may have test books with entirely different sections.

SAT COLLEGE BOARD BOOKS

The OFFICIAL SAT ONLINE COURSE is $69.95 for four months. T'his online course includes 18 interactive lessons (examples: Lession 5 is about Sentence Completion and Lesson 8 is about The Essay), six official practice tests, hundreds of practice questions, personalized score reports, automated essay scoring, sample student essays, and detailed answer explanations. The OFFICIAL SAT STUDY GUIDE allows one to "Prepare for the SATŪ with the only book that features practice tests created by the test maker. It's packed with the information you need to get ready for the exam. You'll gain valuable experience by taking eight practice tests and receiving estimated scores. With 900 pages and 21 chapters, the book helps you raise your confidence by reviewing concepts, test-taking approaches, and focused sets of practice questions." The price is $19.95. When you buy the Online Course and The Official SAT Study Guide? together, you will receive $10 off at checkout.