Getting into College: Taking the SAT Reasoning Test

Your score on the SAT will be one of the most important factors colleges will take into consideration during admissions.   Make sure you know what the test is, and devise a plan to conquer it.

How the test is set up

The SAT consists of three main categories: Writing, Critical Reading, and Math.   Each section is worth 800 points, adding up to a total possible of 2400.   During the test, these categories are broken into smaller  sections.  Each section is timed and the test comesout to 3 hours.

How high should you score on the SAT?

Go to www.collegeboard.com and search colleges you are interested in.  Take a look at the averages and set yourself a reasonable goal.  If you are above average or close to average, you greatly increase your chances of getting into the college.

How many times can I take the test?

You can take the test as many times as you want, but it is not advised to go over three tries.   If you do good the first time, stick to it.  If you KNOW you can do better, consider taking the test again.  Most people I know were able to improve by 100 pts each time they took the test again.  Remember, colleges will notice the improvement and take it into consideration.

This is your chance…

Your score on the SAT can make or break your college application.   Many people don’t realize the importance of this test and think that good grades and extracurricular will overshadow their low SAT score.  This can happen sometimes, but most people I know with a low SAT did not get into the colleges they wanted, despite their great GPA and outstanding extracurriculars.  In the end, the SAT just seems to be the measuring stick.

How to get the score you want on the SAT

Stay tuned, this will be covered in detail in a later article!