Q: Why is
taking the SAT so important?
A:
It’s not just important; it’s crucial! Although colleges may
consider other factors, the majority of admission decisions are
based on only two criteria: your SAT score and your GPA. Aside from
being a requirement for college admission, the SAT can help you in
these important ways:
- Many
scholarships require a minimum SAT score.
- The SAT is
an excellent way to set yourself apart from other college
applicants. Having a high score gets you noticed.
Q: How do I register for the SAT?
A: The easiest way to register is by logging on to
www.collegeboard.com.
You can also get the forms from most high schools or request them
via mail from Educational Testing Service (ETS):
Scholastic Assessment Test
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6200
Princeton, NJ 08541
Or by calling: (609) 771-7600
Q: What is
the best way to get information about the SAT or ACT?
A:
The best way to contact these services is through their websites:
SAT: www.collegeboard.com
ACT:
www.actstudent.org
Quick
reference numbers:
SAT: 212-713-8000
ACT: 319-337-1270 (registration)
319-337-1313
(scores)
Q: When
should I take the SAT?
A:
If you are taking the SAT for the first time, you should consider
signing up for the test that is held in January or May because those test
dates offer the College Board Question and Answer Service (QAS).
Subscribing to the QAS can give you valuable insights as to which
types of questions resulted in the most mistakes when you took the test. And this can be a great help
to you and your tutor. Consult your school’s guidance counselor about
when you should take the SAT
during your high school years
(junior,
senior, etc.). Your counselor knows your needs and your school’s
program, and he or she can provide the best advice.
Q:
How many times should I take the SAT?
A:
No more than three times. Try to show improvement with each
successive test. Talk to your counselor about the policies of the
specific schools of interest to you.
A:
The Writing section was added in 2005, and there is not enough data
available yet for many schools to list scores. Many schools are
beginning to use the score as an important predictor of writing
ability. It is still very important. Colleges may now read your
SAT essay and compare it to your college application essay to be
sure it was written by the same person.
Q:
What is the difference between the SAT and the PSAT?
A: The only difference between the SAT and the PSAT is the length. In fact,
PSAT questions are taken from old SATs. Therefore, all of the
techniques that apply to the SAT apply to the PSAT.
Q: Do the
colleges and universities to which I am applying see all of my ACT
scores?
A:
No! You can choose which test scores you want sent, and the schools
will only see THAT set of scores. They will only see previous
scores if you select them to be sent.
Q: How do
colleges receive my SAT scores?
A:
You may choose the colleges that you wish to receive your scores
when you register for the SAT. Four colleges are included with your
registration if you specify them by your test day. You may also
select additional colleges online for an extra fee. You may make
changes to your selected schools up to the Monday one week after
your scheduled test date.
Your high
school counselor may also send the test scores for you. Please
check with the College Guidance office at your school.
Q: How long
before I can view my scores? Can I view my scores online?
A:
SAT scores are usually available
online about 3 weeks after your test date and about 4 weeks by
mail. You can view them at:
www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/scores.html
You can also
receive scores by phone for a small fee. The number to call is
866-765-7346.
Q: How do
the SAT & ACT scores compare to each other?
A:
The SAT & ACT are very
different. Schools rely on conversion tables so that they can
compare students objectively. The chart below will give you a good
idea of how the SAT & ACT scores match up. This chart is not
“official”, yet it can be found on numerous test prep websites.
|
ACT |
SAT Math and
Reading |
2400-Point
SAT Estimate |
|
36 |
1600 |
2400 |
|
35 |
1560-1590 |
2360 |
|
34 |
1510-1550 |
2300 |
|
33 |
1460-1500 |
2220 |
|
32 |
1410-1450 |
2140 |
|
31 |
1360-1400 |
2070 |
|
30 |
1320-1350 |
2010 |
|
29 |
1280-1310 |
1950 |
|
28 |
1240-1270 |
1890 |
|
27 |
1210-1230 |
1830 |
|
26 |
1170-1200 |
1770 |
|
25 |
1130-1160 |
1710 |
|
24 |
1090-1120 |
1650 |
|
23 |
1060-1080 |
1600 |
|
22 |
1020-1050 |
1550 |
|
21 |
980-1010 |
1500 |
|
20 |
940-970 |
1440 |
|
19 |
900-930 |
1380 |
|
18 |
860-890 |
1320 |
|
17 |
810-850 |
1250 |
|
16 |
760-800 |
1180 |
|
15 |
710-750 |
1100 |
|
14 |
660-700 |
1020 |
|
13 |
590-650 |
930 |
|
12 |
520-580 |
830 |
|
11 |
500-510 |
750 |
Q: Should I
send both my SAT and ACT scores or only the one with a better score?
A:
If the college in which you are
interested will accept either, then send your better score! Always
check with your counselor if you have a question about a particular
college.
Q: When
college websites say “either SAT or ACT required” do they really
mean either, or will I be penalized for only submitting a
certain score?
A:
Generally, they really mean
either. However, check with your counselor for information about
specific schools. Odds are he or she will have worked with that
school’s application process previously. It is always best to call
the admissions office of the college or university that interests
you. It helps your chances if you prove that you are interested in
this way. College admissions offices actually keep track of students
who called for any reason.
