Introduction to SAT Tests

Occasionally we refer to the test as "new SAT" when we need to make a point about how the test is different from pre-2005.

What is SAT?
Makers of SAT tests claim to evaluate the aptitude of test-takers by measuring verbal and mathematical abilities. However, the SAT exam is no test of intelligence or innovation. In fact, the concepts and sections of verbal and math are so standard and repetitive that one can actually improve one performance and score higher by careful preparation.

Why is SAT important for college admission?
Admission officers at most colleges get thousands of applications from students who have completed their high schools. Given the limited numbers available opening and larger number of applicant, colleges have adopted certain methods to screen candidates. The competition at some of the top schools (which could be a decisive factor to future studies at prestigious universities such as Harvard, Chicago, Yale, Stanford, MIT, Texas, New York, Carnegie Mellon etc.) is very fierce. The fact that students who apply for admission come from different grading systems and varied academic evaluation standards make it difficult to grant admission solely on past records. The SAT test (in terms of actual score in the exam) provides an objective criterion to compare the preparedness of students for college education. Thus, SAT score is a fair and common yardstick to grant or deny admission. Having said so, we would like to emphasize that high school grades and other important information about past performance are also considered along with SAT score to make the final decision.

SAT MATH: The math section of the test
Current students will be seeing the new format of the test. The mathematics sections of the "New SAT" is desired as follows

• The Math content of the new SAT is based on the usual 3-year math program one is required to study in college.
  
• The math students learn in high school is the basis of what is tested in the SAT sections.
  
• The new SAT is different from the old format as SAT has now included Algebra II. However, the quantitative comparison section of the test has been eliminated.
  

The new SAT is summarized below:

SAT score
On completion of the SAT test, you will receive a score report, which shows separate scores for verbal and math scores. The raw score is further converted on a scale from 200 to 800. A score of 500 is the mean or average score of test takers. In other words, if you score over 500 you have performed better than majority of SAT test takers. However, it is important to note that getting a much higher score in the range of 700 to 800 will increase your chances of admission to your preferred college.

Students often find is difficult to score higher in the Math Section of the SAT test. With increasing competition and international applications to colleges and universities, it is more critical than ever to score in the upper percentiles in the SAT Mathematics Sections.

SAT Math: What types of material is tested?
The math portion of the new SAT tests you on the three-years of college prep high school mathematics. It includes basic (and advance) concepts in Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry. As indicates above the Algebra portion includes Algebra I and Algebra II. Further there are miscellaneous questions that are hard to be categorized in one of the topics.

Below table lists topics and sub-topics that frequently appear in the test.

As indicated above, the Algebra portion of the test includes concepts from both Algebra I and Algebra II. The test includes miscellaneous questions that are hard to categorize in one of the topics listed above. We have outlined some of the topics that will be covered in each section of the test.

Please note that the new SAT test is unlikely to ask questions on the topics of:

1. Quadratic Equations
2. Derivation or Proof of Formulas
3. Trigonometry
4. Advanced Operations involving Radicals, Imaginary Numbers, Factoring, etc.