The SAT is a standardized test administered by the College Board and are used by colleges and universities as a key component of their applicant selection process. There are two kinds of SATs: the standard SAT and the SATII (subject tests). All of the top universities require applicants to take the SAT and sometimes several SATIIs.
Q: What are the differences between the SAT and the SATII (subject tests)?
A: The standard SAT tests students’ abilities in reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, conventions of writing, and essay writing. The SAT subject tests test students’ knowledge of specific school subjects. The SAT is required for consideration for admission to most colleges and universities; SAT subject test scores are required for admission to the nation’s top colleges and top universities.
Q: What are the differences between SAT and PSAT?
A: The SAT and PSAT are similar in content. The SAT scores are required for college admissions, while PSAT scores are used only for the National Merit Scholarship Committee to select national merit scholars. Full score for the SAT is 1600 and for the PSAT is 1520. The PSAT is also known as the NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualification Test).
Q: Is it true that PSAT is not really important?
A: For students who are aiming for top universities, PSAT scores are extremely important. Every year the National Merit Scholarship Committee selects the 1% top scorers as candidates for the prestigious National Merit Awards. Students who receive the National Merit Awards are named National Merit Scholars. Being part of this highly exclusive and highly coveted group opens the doors to special scholarships and attracts unique attention from admissions committees in top universities.
Q: What is the cut score for the National Merit Scholarship Qualification?
A: The cut off score is usually around 1420 for NY.
Q: How many times can I take PSAT?
A: You can take it two times: one time in 10th grade, another in 11th grade. The latter is official and the result will be used for National Merit Scholarship Award competition.
Q: Where and when can I register for PSAT?
A: You register in your high school. Ask your counselor about it in the spring of your first high school year.
Q: How can I register for the SAT and SATII Tests?
A: You can register online: www.collegeboard.com.
Q: What is a good SAT score?
A: It depends on which high school you are in. In very competitive high schools, a good SAT Score will be above 1450; in other schools, above 1300 is good.
Q: When should I start taking the SAT?
A: You should first take the SAT in January of your junior year.
Q: How many times should I take SAT?
A: For some colleges and universities you can use Score Choice–which means you can choose a date with your best score. For others, these will want all the scores. Some notable schools with a “send all scores” policy include Yale, Stanford, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, and the University of California. In principle, you can take it as many times as you want, but we suggest no more than three times. It’s best to check the requirements of the school to inform your decision.
Q: What SATII (subject tests) courses do you offer?
A: We offer tutoring for all SATIIs (subject tests).
Q: How do you teach for SATII (subject tests)?
A: We offer small group class packages of 10 two-hour lessons with 10 practice tests for each SAT subject test, including 10 topics and 100 exercise questions for homework.
Q: How many SAT subject tests should I take?
A: Most colleges and universities require two, one math and one science. Some may require more. Check the university for which you plan to apply for the admission requirements.