The SAT Test Explained
If you are not familiar with college admissions and testing, then you may want to do a little research before you graduate from high school and plan to go to college. The SAT test was originally called the Scholastic Aptitude Test and was used as an IQ test of sorts. There is a new SAT test, called the SAT Reasoning Test and it is used to gain admissions to many colleges. However, the College Board says that SAT no longer stands for anything, in order to avoid using acronyms.
This standardized test is usually taken by high school students who will be applying to colleges and universities, however the test is open to anyone over the age of 12 with the only other requirement of paying a fee, but even that may be waived in some circumstances. It would be advantageous for you to take part in a SAT preparation class or at the very least you should try to get in a SAT practice test or two. This is very helpful in making you more relaxed and confident when you arrive at your SAT test center on your SAT test date.
There are pros and cons with taking the test multiple times. Some colleges will average your highest score on each individual section allowing you the chance to have a higher total. However, the College Board will send all of your scores for the SAT test to the college. In general, it is believed that you should not take the test anymore than three times, and you should strive to improve your score on each successive test.
If you are wondering what makes the SAT so important or why it matters at all, then there is not one really absolute reason, rather a few reasons, such as the fact that the SATs tests are required by many universities to be considered for admission. Although not every college requires it, most of the “well known” colleges and the “public” (state) colleges do. There are some cases where a student may take both the ACT and SAT test or even the ACT in place of the SAT.
Other than being required for admission to universities in the United States, many scholarships require a minimum SAT test score and many universities, especially state universities will offer academic scholarships for students with a certain GPA and minimum SAT score. The SAT test is a great way to set yourself apart from the college admissions crowd. Having a high SAT score will allow you to separate from the thousands of other people applying to college.
By Education Editor
