Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a verbal and quantitative reasoning test conducted for college admission in United States of America. Apart from the USA, countries such as Australia, Canada, Singapore and United Kingdom also accept this exam.
There are two SAT sections: Math, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, plus an optional Essay. The Essay results are reported separately. SAT Subject Test cannot be taken on the same date with SAT Reasoning Test. SAT is only available for two years.
SAT Subject Tests
The SAT Subject Tests are one-hour-long exams that give you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge in specific subjects. You can take up to three Subject Tests in one sitting, but you should note that you can’t take both the SAT and SAT Subject Tests on the same testing day.
There are 20 SAT Subject Tests in five general subject areas: English, history, languages, mathematics and science. Certain colleges or programs of study require or recommend specific subject tests, such as mathematics or science, so it’s important you understand the policies prior to choosing which Subject Tests to take. You can see which subjects are available here.
Some SAT Subject Tests require you to bring special equipment — for example, CD players for Language with Listening tests. You can get more details using this guide.
How to Register Online
It’s a good idea to plan ahead — and get comfy — before you start to register.
- Sign in to your free College Board account. Your parent or counselor can’t register for you.
- Provide your full, legal name and other identifying information. Make sure it’s the exact same name and information shown on your photo ID.
- Decide if you want to answer other questions about yourself. This takes time, but it’s worth it if you want colleges and scholarship organizations to find you. Learn why you should opt in to Student Search Service®.
- Decide whether to sign up for the SAT with Essay. See which colleges recommend or require it.
- Upload a photo that meets very specific photo requirements.
- Check out, and print your Admission Ticket.
Applying with the Common Application
The first step is to create an account at https://apply.commonapp.org/createaccount. Then, you will have to select your colleges and fill out the common application with information about you, your family, education, test scores, extracurricular activities and a personal essay.
If any college requires additional questions, you can answer them in the “My Colleges” tab,
where you also manage your recommendations. In the Common App section, you can also see what grades and courses are required by each of your selected colleges. If the application fees present a hardship for you and your family, you can ask for a fee waiver in your application. The request has to be accepted by your school counselor in order to get the fees waived. Some colleges might require additional information, which you will have to provide directly to their admissions offices.
You can find more information here: https://appsupport.commonapp.org/applicantsupport/s/.
Applying to MIT
MIT does not use the Common Application and you will need to create a separate application. First of all, create a MyMIT account here. Then, using your MIT application ID found on your MyMIT Dashboard, you will need to create an account to send your recommendations here.
Your first choice will be between Early Action (EA) or Regular Action (RA). Only the dates of the deadlines are different. For EA, you have to send your application and recommendation letters by November 1, while for RA you can do so until January 1.
In the first part of the application, you can select whether you want to request a fee waiver for the $75 application fee or not. If you check that box, you can continue with the rest of the application. If the application fee presents a hardship for you and your family, you can ask a counselor or school official to write a letter that states that and send it to admissions@mit.edu.
In the second part, you will answer a few questions about yourself, your extracurricular
activities and what motivates you. Here you can find the short essay questions.
You will need 3 letters of recommendation and supplemental materials about your school. The first letter should be from a math or sciences teacher, the second from a humanities teacher, and the third from your school counselor. Each teacher should submit the letters after you request their evaluations via your recommendations account. The supplemental materials include your school profile and high school transcript.
The standardized tests required are:
- Either SAT, ACT or TOEFL
- SAT Subject Test: Math Level 1 or Math Level 2
- SAT Subject Test: Either Biology, Chemistry or Physics
It is necessary that you take these tests on or before the deadlines, and if you take them on the latest test date you have to select MIT as a score recipient when you register for the test, otherwise they will not get there in time.
Most applicants have to go through an interview, but if MIT cannot offer one, it will not affect you negatively.
You can find more information about applying to MIT here.
You Might Also Need …
- If you’re using a fee waiver, enter the identification number on your fee waiver card.
- If you’ve been approved by the College Board to test with accommodations, enter the SSD number on your eligibility letter.
- If you’re home-schooled, enter 970000 when asked for a high school code.
Detailed Instructions
Get details about registration and test day policies and requirements, fees, and more in the Student Registration Guide for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests (.pdf/825.92KB).
How to prepare
https://www.khanacademy.org/
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/study-guide-students
SAT Essay sample
SAT essay medium scoring student example
SAT essay high scoring student example
