Detailed explanation of SAT
SAT is divided into two parts:
(1.) General test - Reasoning Test, including reading and writing and mathematics, known as SAT or NEW SAT
(2.) Single subject test-----Subject Tests, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, foreign language (including Chinese, Japanese, German, French, Spanish), etc., are collectively called SAT2.
SAT mainly tests candidates’ writing, reading and mathematics abilities, with a full score of 800 points for each section and a total score of 2400 points; SAT2 has a full score of 800 points for each subject. Most prestigious schools in the United States only require Chinese applicants to provide the scores of the SAT general test. Some colleges and majors require applicants to provide the scores of the SAT2 single subject test.
SAT test scores are the only thing that American universities can obtain. They are the only ones that can compare the scores of students from different regions and schools, so it has a great impact on admissions and scholarships. If Chinese high school students only have TOEFL scores, it is almost impossible for them to be admitted to the top 50 top universities in the United States. Most prestigious American schools require Chinese applicants to provide scores from both SAT and TOEFL exams.
The SAT test lasts three hours and 45 minutes. The questions are multiple choice and writing. It mainly tests the candidates' reading, mathematics and writing abilities. The full score is 2400 points. SAT2 (Subject Tests) lasts for one hour, and most of them are multiple-choice questions, which mainly test the candidates' knowledge of a certain major. SAT2 is a single subject test, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, foreign languages ??(including Chinese, Japanese, German, French, Spanish), etc., and is taken according to the requirements of each major and school.
SAT test types
SAT Logical Reasoning Test is also called SAT I (pronounced: SAT1) to distinguish it from SAT II (pronounced: SAT2). SAT2 is a test for 17 subjects including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, U.S. history, English literature, French, Spanish, and Chinese. Among them, the mathematics SAT2 is divided into two levels of mathematics tests, C1 and C2. The questions of C2 are more difficult than the questions of C1.
So far, many American universities consider that there are no SAT test outlets in China, so applicants do not need to provide SAT2 test scores.
SAT score calculation method
To understand the calculation method of SAT score, first, we have to introduce two basic concepts: raw score and relative performance percentage.
Each question on the SAT is scored equally. Regardless of the difficulty level of the question, each question on the SAT is scored equally. If you answer an SAT question correctly, you will get one point; if you answer an SAT question incorrectly, you will lose 1/4 point; if you do not answer the question, you will get no points.
Original score: The number of correct answers multiplied by 1, minus the number of incorrect answers multiplied by 1/4, is equal to the original score.
Relative score percentage: Statistics of the original scores and relative percentage scores of candidates in the same exam.
SAT scores: Map the original scores into a table from 200 to 800 according to a relative ratio. The content of each test question is different, so it is difficult to use the original scores to evaluate the results of the two tests. The relative score percentage obtained through this statistical method can relatively tell the university's admissions staff the relative level of each student. For example, in reading: for one SAT test, the best raw score was 67 points (67 questions); for another SAT test, the best raw score was 66 points (67 questions).
Then, according to the original score, 67 points is better than 66 points. This is obviously unreasonable. Therefore, it is more practical to map the original scores between 200 and 800 according to a corresponding relationship.
New SAT
Since May 2005, the SAT test is mainly divided into three parts: English, writing, and mathematics; each part is worth 800 points, and the total is 2400 points. . Previously, the SAT only had two parts, English and Mathematics, each worth 800 points, totaling 1,600 points. Since the SAT now includes a writing component, the original "SAT2 Writing Test" has been cancelled.
In addition to adding a writing section, some slightly more difficult algebra questions have been added to the mathematics section. Of course, it won’t just add, not subtract. For example: the boring anti-meaning vocabulary part is changed to easier reading to fill in the blanks.
On the surface, the SAT has become more difficult, longer, and more content after the reform. In fact, if you consider that due to the addition of the writing section, the universities that originally required SAT2 writing will no longer require SAT2 writing. Many colleges will instead require two SAT2 subject test scores. Moreover, as a result, Asians have to work hard on writing. Perhaps, in the long run, this reform will be a good thing for Asians as a whole.
Since May 2005, in order to enter American universities for undergraduate studies, high school sophomores and seniors must take the new SAT test.
SAT test difficulty
As a test, from the perspective of difficulty: The mathematics part of the SAT will not be a big problem for Chinese students in the United States. Because mathematics education in mainland China focuses on technical problems, basic theorems and definitions are often ignored. If you don’t adequately prepare for the SAT math, you will be caught off guard. After about three months of rigorous training, many Chinese students should be able to get full marks.
Generally speaking, English reading and writing have posed a certain degree of threat to Chinese students in the United States, especially to high school students in mainland China. Many English reading and writing test questions involve a large amount of cultural connotations brought by the original Europe, mainly the original Britain. For foreign ethnic groups, it can be said that the test questions are discriminatory. Of course, even some small knowledge of American culture, history, and geography are difficult for Chinese high school students to handle. Generally speaking, after one to two years of relatively targeted and systematic study, students from mainland China can achieve very satisfactory results. When middle school or high school students from mainland China first arrive in the United States, they have no idea about American education and the SAT exam. After a long period of tutoring in my spare time, my results in the SAT exam were quite satisfactory.
The structure of the SAT test
The SAT is divided into three parts: reading, mathematics, and writing; each part is scored from 200 to 800 points. There will be an unscored section of 25 minutes on each exam. The non-grade part is for the purpose of designing future test questions and other purposes. The ungraded section may be any of the three sections.
Subject
Minimum score
Maximum score
Time (minutes)
English
200
800
70
Mathematics
200
800
70
Writing
200
800
60
Additional questions
25
The SAT is administered seven times a year in the United States, and six times a year in many other countries. Scores are valid for two years. Please check the English website.
SAT test questions
According to the official questions issued by the College Board, the data are as follows:
Critical Reading
Sentence Completions
19
67
Passages Critical Reading
48
Writing
Identifying Sentence Errors
18
49
Improving Sentences
25
Improving Paragraphs
6
Student-written Essay
1
1
Math
Multiple-choices
44
54
Student-produced responses (grid-ins)
10
As shown in the table above, read the section** * 67 questions: 19 sentence completion questions and 48 paragraph reading questions. Writing*** 49 questions and a short essay: 18 questions on sentence error detection, 25 questions on sentence correction, 6 questions on paragraph correction, and a short essay. There are 54 questions in the mathematics section, including 44 multiple-choice questions and 10 fill-in-the-blank questions. *** 170 questions and an essay.
The additional part is not graded and cannot be distinguished from other normal parts. The duration is 25 minutes. The additional section can be one of any other sections except writing and the 10-minute multiple-choice question. It's best not to guess which section is the extra without grade. Because ETS will design the additional part to be no different from the normal part.
Attachment:
Examination time
Examination question type
Examination content
Score
Mathematics section
70 minutes (2 25-minute sections, 1 20-minute section)
Multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank questions
Sum of integers Fractions; algebra, geometry, statistics, probability; quantitative analysis
200-800
Analytical Reading Section
70 minutes (2 25-minute sections, 1 20-minute section)
Sentence fill-in-the-blank questions, long and short article reading
Contents of reading articles: natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, literary novels
200-800
Writing Section
60 minutes (1 25-minute and 10-minute multiple choice sections, 25-minute essay section)
Multiple choice includes correcting errors and rewriting sentences and paragraphs
Composition type: Argumentative essay, need to have arguments and examples
200-800 (Essay scoring separately: 2-12; multiple choices Select score: 20-80)
Sequence of SAT test content
The SAT is divided into ten sections (Sections): The first section is always 25 minutes of writing. The final section is always a 10-minute multiple-choice writing question. The order in which the other six 25-minute and two 20-minute sections appear may vary from paper to paper. The purpose of the unit that sets the questions is to prevent candidates from helping each other or peeking.
Reading Section
The total reading section is 70 minutes, consisting of two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section. Scores range from 200 to 800 points. The minimum score is 200 points and the maximum score is 800 points. The content of the test is vocabulary reading comprehension, whole sentence reading comprehension, and paragraph reading comprehension.
Math Section
The math section is 70 minutes in total and consists of two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section. Scores range from 200 to 800 points. The minimum score is 200 points and the maximum score is 800 points. The exam covers: numbers and their operations, algebra and functions, geometry, statistics, probability, and data analysis. The test questions are multiple-choice questions
Writing section
The total writing section is 60 minutes, consisting of one 25-minute and one 10-minute multiple-choice question and 25 minutes Composed of essay parts. Scores range from 200 to 800 points. The minimum score is 200 points and the maximum score is 800 points. 35 minutes are for multiple choice questions; 25 minutes are for students to write essays. The content of the exam is grammar, idioms, and vocabulary selection.
SAT test time
SAT test timetable from November 2007 to June 2008
2007-2008SAT test time
2007-11-03
2007-12-01
2008-01-26
2008-03-01
2008 -05-03
2008-06-07
As shown in the figure above, according to the information provided by the College Board, from November 2007 to June 2008, there were six SAT exam. Please note to register 3-4 months in advance.
SAT test locations
Test locations for mainland candidates: Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Macau, and Malaysia.
SAT exam registration information
Any internationally accepted Visa credit card, Master credit card, or credit card usage permission
Personal information of the applicant: name, Date of birth, mailing address, email address, family income;
Study-related information of applicants: class ranking, courses and grades studied, special hobbies, extracurricular activities, and various awards;
Target information of the applicant: the major to be applied for, target university
The time and place where the applicant plans to take the SAT test. Since there is no SAT test center in mainland China, we have to ask you to plan to take the SAT test in Hong Kong or other regions
SAT test registration method
SAT registration can be done by letter or by phone There are three ways to register and register online. We recommend using the internet registration method.
Registration website: www.collegeboard.com
SAT test fee in 2008
1) SATⅠ: The fee for the test in the United States is $43. International candidates need to pay an additional $25 (i.e. $43 $25=$68)
2) SAT II: US domestic test fee $8 $20 registration fee =$28.
International candidates need to pay an additional $25 (i.e. $8 20 25=$53)