subject: Increase Your Sat Scores With Free Practice Tests [print this page] The SAT Test, known officially as the SAT Reasoning Test, is a standardized admissions test used by virtually all colleges and universities. The test serves a similar purpose as the ACT Test. Standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT are used in the admissions process along with other factors such as class rank, GPA, community service, recommendations and extracurricular activities.
The exam is intended to measure a students' knowledge of the core areas of reading, writing and mathematics. High school juniors and seniors typically take the SAT. Test scores range from 200 to 800 for each of the sections. There are seven test tates for the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Territories.
Format of the Test
The exam is broken down into 10 sections that cover the three main categories. The SAT Critical Reading section consists of two 25 minute sections and one 20 minute section. The section will include both sentence completion questions as well as passage-based reading questions. The Math section will cover basic math skills that are typical for a student at the end of the junior year. The Math section will have two 25 minute sections and one 20 minute section. The SAT Writing section will include one essay and 49 multiple choice questions.
Interpreting Your SAT Scores
Your test score, a score range, and a ranking percentile are all components of your SAT scores. Each main section of the test is graded on a scale running between 200 and 800. For the essay and multiple choice writing questions there is also a subscore that is given. The subscores for the essay range from 2 to 12. The subscores for the writing questions range from 20 to 80.
Your test score is determined by first calculating your raw score, and then determining a scaled score. Your raw score is determined by giving you 1 point for each correct answer and deducting point for each incorrect answer. Your raw score is then "equated" to derive a scaled score. A scaled score reduces the impact of different test versions and the students who take specific versions.
Another component of your scores is your score range. If you took the test multiple times, your scores should fall in your "score range". The score range is intended to assess your real performance on the exam.
The best way to understand your scores is by comparing them to other students and seeing what your preferred colleges require. For example, if you scored a 580 on your SAT Critical Reading score, this implies that your percentile score is 75 (i.e., you scored better than 75% of the other students who took the test). For the most recent graduating class, the average (mean) SAT Scores were 502 for Critical Reading, 515 for Math and 494 for Writing.
To do well on the SAT Test, it's important that you study smart - not hard! To study smart, it is best to:
* Study for the SAT when you find yourself the most alert
* Find out the specific topics that are on the test
* Focus your study time on the specific material that you are the least comfortable with
* Use a flexible study timetable
An effective study technique for the exams is to use sample tests. Taking SAT sample tests allows you to understand what's on the actual exam. Even better, though, taking practice tests will help you build up your self-confidence. For the most productive use of SAT sample examinations, try some of the following techniques:
* Fully discover all the questions you got wrong by meticulously reading the reasons in your test score report
* Take tests with self-imposed time constraints - this will likely help you insure that you comprehend the material
* Focus on a single portion of the test at a time
To begin, you can use free SAT practice exams to determine if you are ready for the real examination.
