SAT Tutors
Find a SAT Tutor
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Elk Grove
Empire
Irvine
Lake Forest
Long Beach
Malibu
Monterrey
Pasadena
Sacramento
San Diego
San Jose
San Matteo
San Pedro
San Rafael
Santa Monica
Sunol
Torrance
Vacaville
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Hialeah
Jacksonville
Miami
Naples
Pembroke Pines
Pinellas Park
Pompano Beach
Tampa
Tampa Bay
Valrico
West Palm Beach
Zephyrhills
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
New Jersey
Allenhurst
Cherry Hill
East Orange
Englewood Cliffs
Hackensack
Lawrenceville
Ridgewood
Trenton
New York
Elm
Great Neck
Huntington Station
Manhattan
Mount Pleasant
New York
New York City
Rochester NY
Southampton
Syosset
Ohio
SAT
The SAT is a standardized test required for admission to many colleges and universities in the United States. The exam assesses high school students’ reading, writing and math skills. SAT performance is one of the factors used by college and university officials to make admission decisions.
The exam is offered seven times a year in the United States. Students usually take the SAT for the first time in the spring of their junior year, and many elect to take it again in the fall of their senior year to improve their score.
SAT Structure
The exam consists of three sections: critical reading, writing and math. The critical reading section requires students to read short passages and answer questions about what they have read. All of the information students need is provided on the exam. Previous knowledge of the topics covered in the passages is not required.
The writing section consists of a short essay to assess students’ critical thinking and writing skills as well as multiple-choice questions that test students’ knowledge of proper grammar.
The math section includes questions that evaluate students’ general math knowledge, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics and probability.
Scores
Each SAT section has a minimum score of 200 and a maximum score of 800. In addition, the essay portion of the writing section has a subscore of 2-12, and the multiple-choice portion of the writing section has a subscore of 20-80.
The SAT scores of all of the students who take the exam are averaged statewide and nationally. The averaged scores are used to assign students a percentile for each section of the exam. The percentile allows students to compare their performance to the performance of other students who also took the exam. For example, students who score in the 90th percentile on the math section outperformed 90 percent of their peers who took the SAT.
SAT Subject Tests
In addition to the traditional SAT exam, students can take up to three SAT subject tests that evaluate knowledge of a particular subject, such as literature or history. These exams give applicants a chance to showcase areas where they excel and enhance their college applications.
Some institutions require students to take SAT subject tests, while others categorize the specialized exams as optional. The tests are used by colleges and universities to make admission decisions and place students in appropriate level courses based on their expertise in a particular subject.
Preparing for the Exam
Because the SAT tests students on what they have learned in the classroom, studying and working hard in school is critical to performing well on the exam. However, like any test it is important to practice and become familiar with the format prior to taking the exam. There are a variety of resources available to help students prepare for the SAT, including study guides, software, group classes and private SAT tutors. Students can choose the one that is best for them based on their individual learning style.