What is SAT ?

The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test for college admissions to undergraduates courses in the United States.It gauges your
critical thinking skills you will need for academic sucess in college and assesses how well you analyze and solve problems.

The current SAT Reasoning Test is administered in about 3 hours and 45 minutes.It has a validity of five years although most good
colleges prefer recent scores that are not more than 2 years old.

SAT consist of three major sections: Mathematics, Critical Reading, and Writing.There is one more experimental section which can be
of either type and will not be known to the students.

SECTION	DURATION	QUESTION TYPE	EXPECTED NO. OF QUESTIONS
Critical Reading	Two 25 minute sections one 20 minute section	Sentence Completion Reading Comprehension(short & long passage)	19 48
Mathematics	Two 25 minute sections One 10 minute section	multiple Choice Grid-Ins(no answer choices & you must figure the answer on your own)	44 10
Writing	One 25 minute essay(always the first section) One 25 minute section One 10 minute section(always the last section)	Error Identification Sentence Improvement Paragraph Improvement	44 10
Experimental	One 25 minute section	Can be Critical Reading,math,or Writing Does not count toward score	Varies

Each section receives a score on the scale of 200-800.Total scores are calculated by adding up scores of the three sections and
hence can renge from 600 to 2400.Your scores tell college admissions staff how you did compared with other students who took the test.      

Section	Average (Mean) Score of 2007 SAT takers
Writing	494
Mathematics	515
Critical Reading	502

Generally speaking,scoring close to the mean (average)-about 500 on critical reading,mathematics & writing respectively-tells you that you scored as well as about half of the students who took the test.Each institutions will have its own range of scores that it considers a good fit for its students.

An average score is acceptable for most colleges and universities.However,some of the top colleges will expect you to achieve a SAT score of 2,100 of more.Generally, a score above 2,100 puts you in the 90th percentile, meaning that you scored better on the test than 90% of takers.

There are no official benchmarks given by the colleges as to what the minimum SAT score should be but some unofficial estimates of the SAT score required at various colleges has been compiled for your reference.

University Name	Score Required
Harvard University	2200 or above
Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT)	2200 or above
Princeton University	2200 or above
Rice Universituy	2200 or above
Stanford University	2200 or above
University of California - Los Angeles(ULCA)	2050 or above
University of Southern California(USC)	2050 or above
New York University(NYU)	1950 or above
University of Colorado – Boulder	1850 or above
University of Texas – Austin	1850 or above
University of Houston	1500 or above

The SAT Subject Tests (or popularly known as SAT IIs) is the collective name for twenty multiple-choice standardized tests given on individual subject.A student typically chooses which tests to take depending upon college entrance requirements for the college in which he or she is planning to apply.Every test is now a one-hour test.

SAT subject tests relevent for Engineering aspirants:

• SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1
• SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
• SAT Subject Test in Chemistry
• SAT Subject Test in Physics

Mathematics & Science

• Mathematics Level 1:596
• Mathematics Level 2:639
• Chemistry :630
• Physics : 647

If you dream of doing jyour B.Tech./B.E. from US University/College, SAT is almost alwaya essential as key admission criterion.While universities also demand your credentials at school level and letters of recommendation from your school teachers,there might be differences in assessment in various schools in different countries.SAT provides the universities a standardized score.

Most selective colleges recommend applicants to submit scores for any two SAT Subject tests. Engoineering colleges typically require Chemistry or Physics and prefer Math level 2.A handful of the most competitive colleges,such as MIT, Harvard University and Princeton University,still require three Subjects tests jin addition to the three section of the SAT.It is important to consult the college's website to find out more information about subject test requirements.

Remember, your scores sre not the only information colleges use in their admission decisions.They may also consider your high school record ,essays,recommendations,interviews,and extracurricular activities.

Other than required for admission to US universities,the SAT is important for the following reasons: Many scholarships require a minimum SAT score Many Universities,especially state Universities,will offer academic scholarships for student with a certain GPA and a minimum SAT score The SAT is a great way to set you apart from the college admissions scrow.Having a high SAT score will allow you to seperate out from the thousands of other people applying to college.

Why to pursue an engineering career in the US?

The SAT is offered six times a year in India,in October,November,December,January,May and June.The test is typically offered on the first saturday of the month.For extra dates please refer www.collegeboard.com.Candidates may either take the SAT Reasoning Test or up to three SAT Subject Test on any given test date.

Candidates wishing to take the test may register online at the college board's website www.collegeboard.com or by e-mail.To register by mail, you need a SAT Registration Booklet, which is available on your school counselor's office.The Registration Form and return envelope are included in the SAT Registration Booklet.For more details students can contact US Educational Foundation in India (USEFI) or visit there website www.fulbright-india.org

In India, SAT is conducted at the following cities:

Ahmedabad,Amritsar,Bangalore,Chennai,Cochin,Gurgaon,Hyderabad,Kodaikanal,Kolkata,Mjumbai,Mussoorie,New Delhi and Pune.

The SAT Reasoning Test costs Rs.3600(approx.)if you are appearing for it in India ($43 for a US student).For the SAT Subject tests, students pay a Basic Registration Fee of Rs.800(approx.)per test.

Students receive their online score report approximately three weeks after administration of the test(six weeks for mailed, paper scores).

When & how should I start preparing for the SAT?

Because the SAT is the most important test for college admissions to the US,it is always best to start preparing as early as passible. This allows more preparation time to achieve score goals.

Most good colleges required to send in their applications with SAT scores by November/December of their class XII year.This implies that a student should appear for the October or November SAT.Ideally a student should appear for tha may/june SAT so that they have sufficient time to complete their college application including essays, recomendations & transcripts from teachers,filling up of forms etc.This means a student should start the actual SAT preparation before the beginning of class XI as there no distration such as school home work ,projects,exams or any other school activities.In fact, to develop a strong foundation a student should stat clearing the basic fundamentals from class IX & X itself as most of the questions are based on the concepts taught in IX & X