By Erik J. Strawser
Bloomsburg University
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Most widely used college entrance exam
Globally recognized college admissions test
Accepted by virtually every college and
university nationwide
More than two million students take the SAT
each year
Tests students’ knowledge in reading,
writing, and math
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Score range = 200-800 points
Test time = 70 minutes (one 20 minute
section and two 25 minute sections)
67 total questions
48 passage focused reading questions that
test comprehension of what is stated or
implied by a written passage
19 sentence completion questions that test
vocabulary and understanding of sentence
structure
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Score range = 200-800 points
Test time = 70 minutes (one 20 minute
section and two 25 minute sections)
54 total questions
44 multiple choice questions that require
students to solve problems and select the
best answer
10 student produced responses that require
students to solve problems and “grid in”
answers
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Score range = 200-800 points
Test time = 60 minutes (one 10 minute
section and two 25 minutes sections)
50 total questions
25 improving sentences
18 identifying sentence errors
6 improving paragraphs
1 Essay (present and support your point of
view on a specific issue)
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Raw scores are calculated for each section
 Correct answers = +1 point
 Incorrect answers = -1/4 point (with exception of
student produced responses in Math section)
 Omitted answers = 0 points subtracted
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Reading and Math
 scores for each section are reported on a scale of 200-
800
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Writing
 Subscales for essay (2-12) and multiple choice writing
questions (20-80)
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May 5, 2012
 Register by April 6, 2012
 Late registration (by mail, phone, or online) by
April 20, 2012
 Changes by April 18, 2012
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June 2, 2012
 Register by May 8, 2012
 Late registration (by mail, phone, or online) by
May 22, 2012
 Changes by May 16, 2012
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SAT Registration = $49.00
Additional Fees
 Register by Phone (only if registered previously =
$15.00
 Change Fee (test type, date, or center change) =
$25.00
 Late Fee = $26.00
 Standby Fee = $43.00
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Online
 provides immediate confirmation
 24 hour access to registration
 allows students to correct and/or print their
admission tickets)
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Mail
 stop by guidance department and get a SAT Paper
Registration Guide and correct Code Numbers
 pay by check or money order
 payable to “The College Board”
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Standby
 Complete paper registration and arrive at test
center with check or money order
 Costs more
 Limited seating capacity
 Not available to students who require special
accommodations
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Admission ticket
Photo identification (current and valid)
 PA Drivers License
 PA Non-Drivers ID
 School ID Form
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Two No.2 pencils and soft eraser
Acceptable calculator
 Graphing
 Scientific
 Four function
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Scratch paper
Notes, books, or dictionaries
Personal electronic devices
Highlighters or colored pencils
Compasses, protractors, or rulers of any kind
Timers or stopwatches
Cameras or others photographic equipment
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Use process of elimination
Answer every question only if you can eliminate answer choices
Leave questions blank only if you cannot identify at least one
wrong choice, except in the Math grid-ins
Write in the test booklet
Transfer your answers at the end of each question
Slow down!!
Choose which question to answer first
Remember the order of difficulty
Cross-check your ovals
Don’t second guess yourself
Source: http://testprep.about.com/od/tipsfortesting/a/SAT_TestTips.htm
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Sentence Completion
 Use the context of the sentence to figure out what
unknown words mean
 Do not overlook the reversing effect of negative
words (not) or prefixes (un-)
 Allow transition words (likewise or although) to
suggest the better answer
 Eliminate choices in double-blank questions if the first
word does not make sense in the sentence
Source: http://www.educationcorner.com/sat-test-taking-tips.html
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Reading Comprehension
 Always read the italicized introductory text
 Use the line reference numbers in questions to find the correct
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spot in the passage
Limit your answers to questions to what is stated or implied in
the passage
Read each passage through at least once before answering
questions
The most important sentences of each paragraph are the first
and the last
Do not waste time memorizing the details of each passage
Source: http://www.educationcorner.com/sat-test-taking-tips.html
You will be asked write a 250-300 word
persuasive essay on a specific topic
 Use a 5 paragraph essay format (intro, three
body paragraphs, and a conclusion)
 You will have 25 minutes to complete the essay
 Spend 5 minutes thinking about the topic
 Spend 15 minutes writing
 Spend 5 minutes reviewing your essay for errors
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Source: http://www.educationcorner.com/sat-test-taking-tips.html
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Introduction - state your position on the topic
and introduce thesis
Body paragraphs -provide specific details
and/or examples to support your position
Conclusion – summarize position and restate
thesis
Keep your writing clear, concise, and simple
Source: http://www.educationcorner.com/sat-test-taking-tips.html
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Student Produced Response
 No penalty for incorrect answers
 There are no negative answers in this section
 If your answer is a repeating decimal, enter as
many decimal points as you can in the grid
provided
 Do not provide mixed number answers (if 2 ¾
change it to 11/4 or 2.75)
Source: http://www.educationcorner.com/sat-test-taking-tips.html
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At registration students receive four free
score reports
After registration, additional score reports
can be sent for a fee
Official Score Reports – approximately five
weeks after the test
Online - approximately three weeks after the
test (need to have a College Board account)
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Build your own vocabulary list using past tests
Experiment with different strategies to answer passage focused
reading questions
Know your special triangles
Read, read, read (especially topics that you do no find interesting)
If you are stuck on a math problem, start writing
Consider the opposing point of view when writing your essay
Avoid careless mistakes by showing your work
Use official tests to practice with
Create a collection of mature sounding words and incorporate into
your practice essays
Source: www.sat-coach.com
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Register for a free student account
 Receive the SAT question of the day
 Access score reports
 Send additional score reports
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Register for the Official SAT On-line Course
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$69.95 per year
18 interactive lessons
10 practice tests
Hundreds of practice questions
Sample student essays