What is the SAT test?

The SAT originally had only two sections (Verbal and Math) but now has three (critical reading, math, and writing).  The writing section is not optional and consists of an essay and some multiple choice questions about paragraph and sentence structure.  The SAT costs $45, and takes about four hours to complete.

On the SAT, each section is worth 800 points; the composite is the average of the three sections’ scores.  Although most of the questions are multiple choice, there are a variety of other kinds involved, including a fill-in-the-number section on the math.  The average score last year (2007) was around 500 each on the math and critical reading sections.  The SAT isn’t as recognized as the ACT these days – controversy over scoring problems and racial biases has given the test less weight than it once had.

Although most colleges offer acceptance based on either the ACT or the SAT, students should talk to an admissions counselor to discover which is preferred at their school of choice.