The SAT
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, universities throughout the United States explored test-optional alternatives to the traditional admissions process. These institutions included some of the most prestigious universities in the U.S., including Harvard, Cornell, and Stanford. However, many of these universities are now reversing this policy, making the SAT still relevant for U.S. university applications. The SAT is a means to set a student apart from other applicants, and exists, along with a finely tuned admissions essay, as an essential aspect of a well-rounded US university application.
The SAT is not the only standardised text that prospective U.S. university students can take. The alternative to the SAT is the ACT, with both exams carrying the same weight for students wishing to attend US universities. The similarities between these exams is that they both take roughly three hours to complete and focus on testing a candidate’s capability in English and Mathematics.
The biggest difference between the SAT and ACT is that the ACT includes a Science section. To compensate for the lack of a Science section, the SAT contains two Math sections, one of which allows the use of a calculator while the other prohibits its use.
In this way, the SAT could be seen as a more streamlined university admissions examination, testing only English and Mathematics. This means that candidates sitting the SAT may not suffer from the difficulty posed by mentally shifting gears between the three distinct sections found in the ACT.
As mentioned previously, the SAT tests only English and Mathematics. For the latter, candidates wishing to find themselves in a US university in the coming academic year must answer questions on the finer points of English grammar, as well as unseen texts discussing a wide array of topics. During the two Mathematics sections of the SAT, soon-to-be university undergraduates must attempt a variety of questions both with and without the aid of a calculator.
With 154 questions to answer, the SAT is no small feat. However, students can achieve high scores and edge ever-closer to admission to the top US universities through consistent practice. It is essential that candidates are familiar with the foundational elements of the English language, the fundamentals of Mathematics, and develop keen time management skills. Practice tests should be completed regularly and under timed conditions so as to offer a sense of verisimilitude. Candidates should slowly reduce the time allotted to each section of the SAT to ensure that they are able to complete the paper with speed and precision.
An experienced SAT tutor can be invaluable to a successful US university admissions application. SAT tutors can guide students around the common pitfalls of the examination and provide the necessary encouragement to ensure a confident, calm, and capable candidate.
BartyED has had the pleasure of assisting innumerable young learners with the SAT. Our team of expert tutors have worked with students from all over the world, who have a variety of different learning profiles, and who share the goal of attending top universities in the US. Consequently, BartyED’s SAT and US admissions tutors have a wealth of experience to draw from and can adapt to the unique needs of each and every student.
If you or your child wishes to gain admission to a university in the US, then reach out to us today by phone (+852 2882 1017) or email (enquiries@bartyed.com). We are here to offer the guidance and support needed to make the SAT and the often challenging US admissions process that much more simple.