The CollegeVine Guides to the SAT
What’s Covered:
- Understanding the SAT
- SAT Section Guides
- Preparing for the SAT
- Understanding Your SAT Score
- Retaking the SAT
An important part of the college application process is standardized testing. One of the most popular standardized tests is the SAT. Along with the ACT, it’s one of the main tests that colleges use to evaluate your academic skills, and creates a common ground upon which to compare applicants with a range of differences in their schools’ grading systems.
In 2016, the SAT was substantially redesigned, meaning that many older SAT preparation resources are no longer accurate. When you’re looking for guidance on how to study for the SAT, make sure you’re relying on sources that reflect the most recent iteration of the test, like the CollegeVine blog posts listed below.
Ready to learn more about the SAT and how to give it your best shot? Read on for our best advice regarding this very important part of your college preparation.
Understanding the SAT
Are you just starting to consider your SAT options, or looking for details about the exam’s purpose, structure, and timing? These blog posts will help you better understand the overall facts about the SAT and, in particular, its most recent updates.
- So What is the SAT Anyway? A Newbie’s Guide to the College Board SAT
- A Guide to the New SAT
- What is the Difference Between the New SAT Essay and the New SAT Writing Section?
- When Should I Take the SAT or ACT?
- How to Register For Your SATs
- Which Section of the SAT and ACT is Most Important?
- A Guide to Disability Accommodations for Standardized Testing
- 5 SAT Strategies You Should Know
- How Does The Curve Work for the SAT?
- How To Set a Realistic Target SAT Score
- Which Month Has The Easiest SAT Curve?
SAT Section Guides
The current form of the SAT includes two required sections: the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section, which is made up of the Reading test and the Writing and Language test, and the Math section. There’s also an optional essay section that some colleges may require for applicants. For details on each section, check out the posts below.
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
- The Ultimate Guide to the New SAT Reading Test
- The Ultimate Guide to the New SAT Writing and Language Test
- Five Tips to Boost Your Score on the Reading SAT
- Five Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your Reading SAT
- Can You Answer These 5 Reading SAT Questions? [Quiz]
- How to Tackle the SAT Literary Reading Passages
- The New SAT Reading Test: Strategies for Question Types
- Don’t Make These 7 Common SAT Writing Mistakes
- Do You Know These 5 SAT Writing & Language Rules?
- What Is the Difference Between the New SAT Essay and the New SAT Writing Section?
- What is SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing?
Math
- The Ultimate Guide to the New SAT Math Test
- Five Tips to Boost Your Math SAT Score
- The Ultimate Guide to the SAT Math Grid-In Questions
- Guide to SAT Math Heart of Algebra + Practice Questions
- How to Get a Perfect 800 on the SAT Math Test
- What’s the difference between SAT Math vs ACT Math?
- How to Tackle the SAT Math Calculator Section
- Guide to SAT Math Problem Solving and Data Analysis + Practice Questions
- Guide to SAT Passport to Advanced Math + Practice Questions
- SAT Math Probability Practice Questions
- SAT Math: How to Tackle Word Problems
- Guide to SAT Math Geometry Questions + Practice Problems
- The Unit Circle: What You Need to Know for the SAT
- 5 Common SAT Math Mistakes to Avoid
- SAT Calculator Policy + List of Approved Calculators
- What are SAT-approved Calculators? + 10 Expert Calculator Tips
- How To Tackle Circle Problems on the SAT Math Test
- Prep Strategies for SAT Heart of Algebra Questions
- What Does the Math Section of the SAT Test?
- SAT Prep: What is a Rational Number?
- 30 SAT Math Formulas You Need to Know
Essay (Optional)
Preparing for the SAT
In these posts, we go over our best strategies for getting ready for the SAT, from studying test content content, to familiarizing yourself with the types of questions you’ll encounter, to practicing your pacing.
- Tips to Prepare Yourself for Your SAT Test Day
- How to Pace Yourself on Every Section of the SAT
- Five SAT Strategies You Should Know
- 10 Tips to Prepare for the SAT
- How Many SAT or ACT Practice Tests Should You Take?
- What Parents Need to Know about ACT and SAT Studying Prep
- Conquering the SAT: Why It’s Key to Prepare Early
- What to Read to Prepare for the SAT
- Parents: How to Help Your Kids Reach Their SAT Goals
- How to Prepare for the SAT: A 24-Hour Countdown
- How To Find Time to Study for Your SAT Every Single Day
- How Does the Curve Work for the SAT?
- Understanding PSAT/SAT Percentile Ranks
Understanding Your SAT Score
For all the preparation it involves, the SAT ends up distilling your performance into just a few numerical scores. Here, we describe how scoring works on the SAT, what constitutes a “good” score, and what your score means for your college application process.
- The CollegeVine Guide to SAT Scores: All Your Questions Answered
- How the New SAT is Scored
- What is a Good SAT Score?
- How Does the Curve Work for the SAT?
- New SAT vs. Old SAT Score Conversion Chart
- Can a Good SAT or ACT Score Offset a Bad GPA?
Retaking the SAT
If you’re not satisfied with your SAT score, you may choose to retake the test after more studying. Here are a few posts that go over what to think about when you’re considering retaking the SAT:
- Should You Retake Your Standardized Tests?
- 10 Tips to Improve Your SAT Score
- Do I Have to Self-Report My Test Scores?
- Top Tips To Consider Before You Retake the SAT
- How Many Times Should a Student Take the SAT?
Completing the testing requirements for your college applications can be stressful, but there are ways to make the process more manageable, and becoming an informed test-taker is one. We hope these posts help you to better understand the expectations of the SAT and maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of your test preparation.
Preparing for the SAT? Download our free guide with our top 8 tips for mastering the SAT.
Want to know how your SAT score/ACT score impacts your chances of acceptance to your dream schools? Our free Chancing Engine will not only help you predict your odds, but also let you know how you stack up against other applicants, and which aspects of your profile to improve. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to gain access to our Chancing Engine and get a jumpstart on your college strategy!
