SAT Reasoning Test (formerly SAT I)

The SAT Reasoning Test takes 3 hours and 45 minutes and consists of three sections: Maths, Critical Reading and Writing. Each section has a timeframe. Writing is always the first section and a 10-minute written multiple-choice part always the last section of the SAT. The remaining sections are completed in varying order. Amongst them is a 25-minute experimental section, called “Variable Section” or “Equating Section” from the areas of Critical Reading, Mathematics or multiple-choice Writing. This section is not scored – in other words it does not affect the overall result.

Tip

If possible, start with the SAT preparation in 12th grade, so that you can focus purely on the Abitur in year 13. The SAT test or the Subject Tests can only be taken from October to June. From July to September there is no opportunity to sit the SAT test

Without counting the “Experimental” section, which is not specially marked and is also not included in the overall result, you will need to write an essay and answer 49 questions in Writing, 67 Critical Reading questions and 54 Math questions. These 170 questions of the SAT Reasoning test will have a significant impact on your success with your application.

Evaluation

For renowned universities we recommend a minimum of 600 points per section in the SAT Reasoning Test, for top universities even more. You will need around 2100 points in order to successfully apply for an undergraduate degree at Harvard or at one of the Ivy League universities.

SAT scores of the average 50% of students enrolled at US universities:

The numbers 25% to 75% are so-called percentiles, i.e. the percentage of enrolled students (and not candidates) that scored a worse result in the SAT test. So for example, 25% and 690 mean that 25% of enrolled students have a worse outcome than 690 points. 75% and 770 on the other hand mean that 75% percent of the students had less than 770. Conversely, this figure means that the SAT score of 25% of the enrolled students was higher than 770.

For students in the United States and for those who wish to study at universities and colleges in the United States, the SAT is usually a very important matter. Accordingly, a good SAT preparation is of great importance.

Costs

The fees for the SAT-Test are: 49,00 US$ for the SAT Reasoning Test and 33,00 or 44,00 US$ per Subject Test.

Dates

The SAT can usually be taken on fixed dates from January to June and then again from October to December each year. Subject Tests cannot be taken on all SAT dates and not all SAT Subject Tests are offered at each examination date. You may not take the SAT test and the Subject Tests on the same SAT test date. Take this into consideration when planning your tests, especially if you want to have a second date as backup. Please pay attention to the registration deadlines and the deadlines of the universities, until which the SAT test and possibly the Subject Tests need to have been taken, so that the results can be included in your application.

The SAT- and Subject Test-test dates are:

* Only SAT Reasoning Test, no Subject Tests

Results

All participants can view the SAT results online about 19 to 20 days after the test. The certificates are sent by post, from the USA about four weeks after the test.

Validity

The SAT Reasoning Test is valid for 5 years.

SAT-Preparation courses

The SAT test requires intensive preparation. In particular the verbal sections, but also the math portion, require thorough preparation as the difficulty of the SAT is underestimated far too often, thus causing a lot of disappointment.

MBAhelp helps you to achieve high SAT results and thus fulfil an important requirement for admission to the Bachelor program of renowned, accredited universities. You will achieve the best results with our SAT courses and seminars, in conjunction with the use of our teaching materials (SAT Study Books, software, diagnostic tests and CD-ROMs). Our teachers for GRE, GMAT, TOEFL and SAT are full-time specialists from the United States. All SAT courses are taught entirely in English.

More information on our SAT courses can be found under the heading SAT courses.