What is SAT?
The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) is an entrance exam used by American universities and a few Pakistani universities to make admission decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test created and administered by the College Board (America)
The main purpose of the SAT is to quantify the student’s readiness for university and to provide the universities with one common data point that can help them compare the mass number of applicants they get each semester. The admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your college grades, the classes you took in college, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, activities, and admission interviews.
Overall, the higher you score on the SAT, the more options for attending and paying for universities will be available to you.
In Pakistan, any BS degree accepts the SAT, and the majority of universities (Nust, Bahria, LUMS, etc.) let you submit your SAT scores instead of giving individual entry tests.
For MBBS, only Agha Khan accepts SAT-2.
SAT Paper pattern
- Math
- Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
SAT Test Time
- It’s a 3-hour and 50-minute exam.
- The Reading part of evidence-based learning takes 65 minutes (52 questions), and the reading part takes 35 minutes (44 questions).
- Math (58 questions) has two subsections: 55 minutes for the calculator portion and 25 for the non-calculator portion.
- And then there is the optional 50-minute essay.
How is it scored?
It is scored between 200 and 800 for Math and Evidence-based individually. The highest combined score is 1600. And the lowest you can get for just writing your name is 400 in total.
SAT Deadline and Test dates 2023
Fall 2023 Test Dates
|
SAT Test Date* |
Deadline for Registration, |
|
Aug 26, 2023 |
Aug 11, 2023 |
|
Oct 7, 2023 |
Sep 22, 2023 |
|
Nov 4, 2023 |
Oct 20, 2023 |
|
Dec 2, 2023 |
Nov 17, 2023 |
Spring 2024 Test Dates
|
SAT Test Date |
Registration Deadline |
Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation, |
|
Mar 9, 2024 |
Feb 23, 2024 |
February 27, 2024 |
|
May 4, 2024 |
Apr 19, 2024 |
April 23, 2024 |
|
June 1, 2024 |
May 16, 2024 |
May 21, 2024 |
When should you take the SAT?
You can take the SAT on any of the following dates, but to get a Head Start on your application process as well as meet the deadlines of universities (as the LUMS deadline for 2024 intake is in February), it is recommended to take the October and December exams.
How to register for SAT?
Register online on the College Board website https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration
- Click on the link provided.
- After opening the college broad website click the register now button in the center of the page.
- It will take you to the sign-in page. From there you will have to press the Create an account button.
- From there you will fill out the blank boxes with the help of your passport. Your passport must have at least 6 months left before expiry at the time of the exam.
- Now you can register. After creating your account, you will have to click register for SAT again.
- Input your personal information like graduation date etc. Confirm and continue.
- Start filling out the MCQs asking about yourself, your parent/guardian/, and Languages. Continue onto the next page
- Input your GPA (score/ grade), Rank, Course Math, Course Languages, Level of Education, College Majors, College Type, etc.
- Choose your country, and test date, and select a test centre.
- Add the picture with a clear background. Face, head, and shoulders all should be visible.
- The total payment for SAT is 104 dollars approximately. As it depends on the test center. It is important to remember that the test can only be paid with a credit card that works internationally.
However, it is crucial to apply quickly to get a good venue for the exam.
A bad venue can lead to unexpected retakes due to bad management by the supervisors. It has happened before in Pakistan, where unprepared students had to take the exam again due to the exam environment being considered unethical.
How to prepare for SAT
You can look into a good academy or prepare yourself depending on your budget.
The best way to prepare is to get the SAT book from a bookstore. Individually practice all the papers given there. Practice your reading and understanding skills by reading more complex novels or reading materials. Additionally, learn new vocabulary for the essay. And practice your time management skills and speed. And improve your rote memory for formulas and mental math for the calculator portion of math.
Best of luck with your future and the SATs!
