SAT FAQ

What does the SAT test?

The SAT does not test how smart you are, how good a college student you will be, or how good a high school student you were. The SAT tests some basic knowledge and reasoning, but most of all it tests how good a test taker you are. A naturally fast, strategic test-taker will score much better than an otherwise bright, studious person who finds it difficult to enter the unique mindset of the SAT. While what the SAT actually tests seems somewhat petty, it counts for a lot. That’s unfair, but so is college. So whatever your strengths, it makes sense to maximize your ability to take the test. We can help.

How is the SAT structured?

There are ten sections in the SAT. The first is always the 25-minute Essay section. This is followed by seven 25-minute sections, alternating between Math, Verbal, and Writing in a random order. One of these seven is an un-scored experimental section used by the ETS for testing future questions. However, this experimental section will not be identified to the test-taker, so all sections must be approached as if they are scored. Following these are two twenty-minute sections, one Verbal, one Math, and a final, ten-minute Writing section.

What is a good score?

A good score all depends on your college goals. Most colleges publish a range of scores from their most recent acceptance pool , usually the middle 50% (25th to 75th percentile). For instance, the University of Washington middle range is 1580 to 1940. Students with scores below this range will need other factors (GPA, athletics, parental alumni) to compensate. Every college is different, though, so contact the admissions offices of the schools you are interested in for details about how they use the SAT. For published information, pick up one of the popular college guide books or visit www.collegeboard.com.

When can I take the SAT?

The next test dates are:

• January 26, 2008
• March 1, 2008
• May 3, 2008
• June 7, 2008

When should I take the SAT?

We recommend that you plan to take the SAT in May or June of your Junior year. If you would benefit from re-taking the test, you then have the option of doing so in the Fall of your Senior year. The best time to prepare for the SAT is when you can devote four to eight weeks to serious study.

How important is the SAT?

Not quite as important as you probably think. While the SAT (or ACT) is still required for almost every college, and a bad score will certainly hurt your chances, it doesn’t carry the same weight as GPA. Every school gives your score a different weight. Nevertheless, a good score can always help.

How can I achieve my best score?

Success on test day is not just a result of knowing how to get right answers; you must also know how to make correct decisions throughout each section. Toward these ends, our courses cover both the fundamental concepts tested on the SAT along with the most effective techniques for working efficiently under intense time pressure. Moreover, our classes feature extra instruction, small class size, and individualized attention designed to insure that you have the necessary confidence to achieve your best possible score.

How do I register?

To register online, go to the College Board website.

You can also register by mail. Your high school career/admissions counselor should have a registration booklet from the College Board.

Are you going to improve my SAT score?

You’re going to improve your SAT score. And we’re going to help you. But, as with any class, you get out of it what you put into it. Motivated students who are willing to use our strategies always improve, some by several hundred points. But don't just take our word for it: check out our testimonials.

By the way, what does SAT stand for?

Actually, nothing. From wikipedia:

The initials SAT have been used since the test was first introduced in 1901, when it was known as the Scholastic Achievement Test and was meant to measure the level achieved by students seeking college admission. The test was used mainly by colleges and universities in the northeastern United States. In 1941, after considerable development, the non-profit College Board changed the name to the Scholastic Aptitude Test, still the most popular name. The test became much more widely used in the 1950s and 1960s and once was almost universal.

The success of SAT coaching schools, such as Kaplan and the Princeton Review, forced the College Board to change the name again. In 1990, the name was changed to Scholastic Assessment Test, since a test that can be coached clearly did not measure inherent "scholastic aptitude", but was influenced largely by what the test subject had learned in school. This was a major theoretical retreat by the College Board, which had previously maintained that the test measured inherent aptitude and was free of bias.

In 1994, however, the redundancy of the term assessment test was recognized and the name was changed to the neutral, and non-descriptive, SAT. At the time, the College Board announced, "Please note that SAT is not an initialism. It does not stand for anything."

What's this I hear about SAT scoring errors?

The College Board incorrectly scored over 4,000 tests from the October 2005 SAT (out of 495,000 total taken). They claim now to have instituted new safeguards to prevent a repeat occurance. Story here.

The bad press from this occurance has stung the College Board, so it's likely these reforms will be effective. But it's worth remembering that you can always request--for a fee--a hand scoring of your test. If you receive results that are significantly lower than you scored on practice tests, it is an option worth considering.