Standardized Testing Program
SAT

SAT I: Reasoning Test
Most colleges and universities to which you will apply will require you to take the SAT I Reasoning Test. The SAT I is designed to measure a student's aptitude for learning - not her or his intelligence.  It measures critical reading skills, writing capabilities and math reasoning abilities.

Colleges use the results of the SAT I to help predict how well an applicant will do at a particular school.  In addition, the SAT I will give colleges a chance to compare applicants to other students who did not attend the same high school.

As of Spring 2005, the SAT I includes a new writing component. The test consists of three main parts - verbal, writing and math sections.  Math content areas include all levels of algebra and geometry, data analysis, statistics and probability.  Verbal skills are assessed through reading comprehension and sentence completion. The writing section gauges a student’s ability to develop and support a position on a topic through a written essay, and measures ability to recognize errors and improve sentences and/or paragraphs through multiple choice. It is similar to the PSAT/NMSQT except that the SAT I has more questions. When a student answers incorrectly on the test a quarter of a point is deducted. Do not guess if you absolutely don’t know the answer.

Scoring:  The score range is from 200 to 800 in each section.  Sometimes the SAT I scores are stated separately (e.g., “I scored a 580 on verbal, 650 on writing and a 620 on math). Sometimes the test results are referred to as a single combined score (The previous example would result in a combined score of 1850).  It is important to realize that because of the new writing section a perfect score on the test is no longer 1600.  The highest score a student can receive on the SAT I is now up to 2400.

For more detailed information & practice tests visit http://www.collegeboard.com/?student

The SAT II: Subject Tests
The one-hour long, SAT II: Subject tests replace the older ACH or Achievement Tests. These tests, unlike the SAT I tests, are given to determine depth of knowledge about a particular subject area. The SAT II tests are usually offered on the same day as the SAT I, but there are exceptions, so check carefully. Students may register for up to three tests on one day. It is recommended that a student take the SAT II for a specific subject as soon as possible after that student has completed a course on that particular subject. This gives the student the opportunity to test while the information learned is still fresh.

Some colleges require that you take SAT II subject tests for the purpose of placing you in the proper class once enrolled.  Others (particularly highly selective colleges) use the test scores as part of the admissions criteria.  Some schools do not require students to take SAT II subject tests at all.  So read the requirements carefully for the schools to which you apply.

The subject areas include English Composition, Literature, American History, World Studies, World History, Math (I and II levels), Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and several Foreign Languages.  English as a Second Language students may be required to take the English Proficiency SAT II test.