Do Practice Test For SAT Matter?
The SAT Test, known officially as the SAT Reasoning Test, is a standardized admissions test used by virtually all colleges and universities. The test serves a similar purpose as the ACT Test. Standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT are used in the admissions process along with other factors such as class rank, GPA, community service, recommendations and extracurricular activities.
The purpose of the test is to assess a student’s academic abilities in reading, writing and math. The test is usually taken during a student’s junior or senior year in high school. The scores for the exam will vary from 200 to 800 for each component. The test is given annually at test locations throughout the U.S., and various international locations.
Exam Outline
The exam is broken down into 10 sections that cover the three main categories. The SAT Critical Reading section consists of two 25 minute sections and one 20 minute section. The section will include both sentence completion questions as well as passage-based reading questions. The Math section will cover basic math skills that are typical for a student at the end of the junior year. The Math section will have two 25 minute sections and one 20 minute section. The SAT Writing section will include one essay and 49 multiple choice questions.
Scores for the Exam
Your SAT Scores are comprised of three items: your score, your percentile, and your score range. Each of the three main sections (critical reading, math, and writing) is scored on a scale of 200-800. Additionally, you will receive subscores for the essay (scale of 2-12) and multiple choice writing questions (scale of 20-80).
Your test score is determined by first calculating your raw score, and then determining a scaled score. Your raw score is determined by giving you 1 point for each correct answer and deducting point for each incorrect answer. Your raw score is then “equated” to derive a scaled score. A scaled score reduces the impact of different test versions and the students who take specific versions.
You are also given a score range. The purpose of the score range is to give you an indication of how your scores might change if you took the test many times. The score range indicates your actual test performance.
The best way to understand your scores is by comparing them to other students and seeing what your preferred colleges require. For example, if you scored a 580 on your SAT Critical Reading score, this implies that your percentile score is 75 (i.e., you scored better than 75% of the other students who took the test). For the most recent graduating class, the average (mean) SAT Scores were 502 for Critical Reading, 515 for Math and 494 for Writing.
Proper SAT test preparation is accomplished through smart studying. The best way to study smart is to:
* Only study if you are wide awake and alert
* Find out the specific topics that are on the test
* Concentrate on the material that you don’t know
* Utilize a flexible study schedule
An effective study technique for the exams is to use sample tests. Taking SAT sample tests allows you to understand what’s on the actual exam. Even better, though, taking practice tests will help you build up your self-confidence. For the most productive use of SAT sample tests, try some of these techniques:
* Fully find out all of the questions you got wrong by painstakingly reading the reasons on your test score report
* Take exams with self-imposed time constraints – this will likely help you insure that you understand the material
* Focus on a single portion of the test at a time
SAT practice tests do not have to be costly – you can find various options for free SAT practice tests.
Find out more about free SAT Practice Tests at www.Test-Guide.com. Stop by Terry Geseo’s website to understand more about the SAT test and more.
categories: SAT,Test,Exam Preparation,Study,Study Techniques,Education,Reference,College,University,Self Improvement
