I decided to take a break from some last-minute extra SAT studying and write about my experience at this very moment. Tomorrow, I will be taking the SAT II’s, (one for history and one for biology) – I just hope I remember everything from last year, the last time I took both history and biology.
So, what’s a SAT? Well, first, we need to mention that there are two types.
The SAT stands for the Scholastic Assessment Test, and the standard SAT test measures your writing, math, and reading skills. It’s the one test that colleges will really care about. If you’re serious about college, you have to blow the roof of the test. But remember, at the end of the day, that’s exactly what it is: just a test.
The sections are divided up and graded from a score of 200-800. You start off with the critical reading, which is broken up into 3 different parts You have two 25 minute sections and another 20 minute one, giving you a total of 70 minutes. But it’s not all at the same time. Typically, right after one 25 minute section, you go straight into math, which I’ll talk about later. In total, critical reading consists of 67 multiple-choice questions that test your vocabulary by omitting words on context and asking you to replace them with words that make sense. In addition, you have a passage to read and questions to answer.
Now it’s time to talk about the math section, my personal least favorite. (I was never a math person, in fact, I disliked math so much that I used to draw a sad face on every single test before I even started. I would do ok, the teacher would get a laugh out of it, but math and I remain on unfriendly terms.)
The SAT tests basic Math skills – Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetic, and statistics/probability. There’s no calculus or trigonometry you’re allowed a calculator, and it’s a total of 70 minutes that are divided into three sections. Two of the sections are completely multiple choice- one 25 minutes and one 20 minutes. The other section is also 25 minutes but includes 10-grid in questions.
Then you reach writing, which I think is the most fun. You have 60 minutes for 3 sections, two are 25 minutes and one is 10, so you have to manage time properly. For this one, you have to be able to identify errors in writing, fix mistakes, and improve the writing. You’ve also got an essay based on what they ask you to write about.
I know what you’re wondering, what if your English isn’t that good?
If your English isn’t the best, I have good news for you.
Not only are colleges aware of the fact that English may not have been your first language (make sure you mention that in your application), but YOU CAN TAKE THE SAT II IN MANDARIN!
I capitalized that because I think that’s really amazing. The fact that the SAT II is offered in different languages gives you another opportunity to prove yourself to the college. You can show the colleges just how bilingual you are by taking the Standard SAT and the SAT II in Mandarin.
Bear in mind, though, that in order to take the test you must go to Hong Kong or Singapore. The SAT II is forbidden in mainland China. The only exceptions are students who hold passports from other countries in mainland China.
Before I go, here are a few things to end off this blog with:
• Don’t stress. It’s just a test, and stressing out will make you do worse than if you were calm.
• Manage your time. Take multiple practice tests and time yourself, the worst thing to have happen is to not finish. {What is the difference between not finishing and not answering all of the questions?}
• Not answering a question on the SAT is actually GOOD for you. If you take a guess and it’s wrong, you get .25 of a point off. If you don’t answer because you’re just that unsure, you have no points taken off. But consider what you’re omitting wisely – it’s possible you could have the right answer.
• If you’re still worried about the English aspect, here’s a tip: The SAT measures your ability to take a test. Some native born Americans who speak only English don’t do well, not because they don’t know the language, but because they don’t know how to take a test. Practice makes perfect.
• You can take the test a total of 6 times, and they superscore. That means if you do well in one section on the first test you take and then do well in another section on the second test, those scores CAN be combined, giving you the highest score you could get!
• Eat a good breakfast the morning of the test!
Take it easy the day before. You could watch a movie, read a book, or write a blog.
