A standardized test SAT helps gauge the English reading and writing and mathematical skills of students who wish to study abroad for an undergraduate course. The test is designed such that the academic potential of the student coming from a different educational background can be assessed on a single standardized platform. The SAT is a paper-based exam in which a student can score a maximum of 1600 points. These points can be easily scored between English reading and writing (800 points) and Mathematics (800 points). There is also an additional Essay section that is optional for students. The SAT doesn’t have negative marking and a student can easily score between 400 and 1600 points.
Exam Structure
The syllabus of SAT has courses that are already studied by students in the college. So if you were academically sound at school, preparing for this test shouldn’t be a problem for you.
The Writing and Language section comprises 44 questions and the time allocated for this section is 35 minutes. In the Reading section, students are required to attempt 52 questions and the time allocated for the same is 65 minutes. The Math section has 58 questions and the time allocated for this section is 80 minutes. The optional Essay section needs to be cracked within 50 minutes. Altogether, the time allocated for the test is 230 minutes (including essay) and the total questions to be cracked is 155 (including essay).
What scores are preferred by top universities?
To fall between the 75th and 90th percentile of SAT score range, ideally, a student needs to score between 1200 and 1350. The higher the score, the higher are the chances of the candidate securing a seat in a top university. Some of the top US-based universities accept the highest number of SAT scores.
Given below is the SAT cut-off for some of the top US universities:
University 25th Percentile Score 75th Percentile Score
Princeton University 1380 1540
Harvard University 1470 1570
University of Chicago 1460 1560
Yale University 1460 1600
Columbia University 1490 1580
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1500 1570
Stanford University 1390 1540
University of Pennsylvania 1370 1520
Duke University 1315 1570
California Institute of Technology 1540 1580
Dartmouth College 1430 1560
John Hopkins University 1480 1560
Northwestern University 1440 1540
Brown University 1450 1570
Cornell University 1390 1530
Rice University 1440 1560
Vanderbilt University 1400 1550
University of Notre Dame 1390 1530
Washington University in St. Louis 1500 1560
Georgetown University 1320 1520
Emory University 1360 1490
University of California, Berkley 1280 1490
University of California, Los Angeles 1280 1500
University of Southern California 1320 1480
Carnegie Mellon University 1410 1540
University of Virginia 1320 1500
Wake Forest University 1320 1490
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 1380 1540
Tufts University 1410 1540
New York University 1360 1500
Europe
Students can use their SAT scores while applying for a European University. However, the requirement of universities may vary. The European universities generally do not have cut-off scores for SAT while admitting students. Students can always verify the past scores of students who studied in the respective university or college before applying to them.
University Country
American College Ireland
American Intercontinental University United Kingdom
American University of Paris France
American University of Rome Italy
Amsterdam University College Netherlands
Anglia Ruskin University United Kingdom
Bath Spa University Newton Park United Kingdom
Cologne Institute of Technology Germany
Copenhagen Business School Denmark
Delft University of Technology Netherlands
EBS University Germany
Eindhoven University of Technology Netherlands
Esade Business School Spain
ETH Zurich Switzerland
Geneva University Switzerland
Imperial College of London United Kingdom
John Cabot University Italy
Lahti University of Applied Sciences Finland
London Metropolitan University United Kingdom
London School of Economics and Political Science United Kingdom
Management Institute of Paris France
Mozarteum University Salzburg Austria
Queen Mary University of London United Kingdom
Toulouse Business School Spain
University College London United Kingdom
University of Bologna Italy
University of Cambridge United Kingdom
University of Copenhagen Netherlands
University of Oxford United Kingdom
Vesalius College Belgium
Canada
Like in most European universities, Canadian universities do not ask for SAT scores while admitting students to their programs. However, you should take SAT and show the authorities your score while providing them with other necessary details during the admission process.
University
Alberta College of Art and Design
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Brock University
Carleton University
Concordia University of Edmonton
Crandall University
Grant MacEwan University
Kings University College
Lakehead University
McGill University
Mount Allison University
Mount Saint Vincent University
North Island College
OCAD University
Saint Marys University
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Université De Saint-Boniface
University of Alberta
University of British Columbia
University of Manitoba
University of Ottawa
University of Saskatchewan
University of Toronto
York University
Australia
A majority of Australian universities do not ask for SAT scores while admitting students to their programs. Therefore, there isn’t SAT cut-offs, as such. However, it is recommended that you provide the authorities with your SAT scores.
University of Queensland
University of Sydney
University of South Australia
Griffith University
Murdoch University
Australian National University
James Cook University
Queensland University of Technology
Deakin University
Edith Cowan University
University of Western Australia
Southern Cross University
Asia
University Country
Nanyang Technological University Singapore
Singapore Management University Singapore
Singapore University of Technology and Design Singapore
Ahmedabad University India
Azim Premji University India
BML Munjal University India
IIM Ranchi University India
MAHE, Manipal India
NMIMS India
SP Jain School of Global Management India
Symbiosis Skills and Professional University India
Asia Europe Business School of ECNU China
Beijing Foreign Studies University China
The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen China
Southern University of Science and Technology China
Xian Jiaotong Liverpool University China
Keio University Japan
Kyushu University Japan
Nagoya University Japan
Kyoto University Japan
Tokyo Metropolitan University Japan
Institut Teknologi Bandung Indonesia
Monash University Malaysia Malaysia
What are the passing scores and what do the scores represent?
There isn’t a passing score on SAT. However, each university/school has its own SAT cut-off scores that is a dynamic one. The higher you score on SAT; the higher are your chances of securing admission to a top university/school.
Your SAT score provides a lot of feedback on your performance. However, to look into the overall scheme of things, you need to consider your mean scores, benchmarks, and percentiles. Furthermore, cross-test scores and subscores can help identify your positives and negatives. These scores are also useful in identifying skills that need more attention. Your score report will, in no way, indicate that you have passed the test because there isn’t anything like a passing score.
Just as SAT scores are important, there are a lot of other factors that colleges/universities consider while making decisions regarding admission. SAT candidates need to keep an eye on these factors as well.
Scores you get on SAT are not an indicator of all the things you know. There are so many factors that can determine your score. If you take SAT several times a month, then you will not be surprised to see scores varying each time. This is why it is helpful to understand that your scores can range between a few points below and a few points above the score you have earned on the test. This is based on the assumption that your skill sets remain the same.
Average (Mean) Scores
Your SAT score report will indicate the average or mean scores of a typical test taker. If your SAT score is above this average mark, it possibly means your language, reading, and writing skills are on par or better than what most colleges require.
College and Career Readiness Benchmarks
The benchmark scores for both Maths and Evidence-based reading and writing sections are reflected well by the SAT College and Career Readiness Benchmarks. A student is considered college-ready if the scores earned meet the benchmarks of each of these sections.
Students can either speak with the counsellors or evaluate their detailed feedback in their score report for identifying skills that need improvement. These benchmarks are useful in better preparing students after high school.
Percentile Ranks
The rank a student is assigned which is between 1 and 99 is an indicator of his/her performance as compared to other students who have taken the same test. The percentile rank reflects the percentage of students who are below or above your score. For example, a student with a 60th percentile scores equal to or higher than 60 per cent of test-takers.
Edument approach for your SAT preparation
When it comes to preparing students for standardized tests, including SAT, Edument takes the pole position. Our approach is to enable students to prepare well for SAT and emerge out of the test with flying colours. Our SAT study materials are amongst the most comprehensive and updated ones you will come across anywhere. Furthermore, we follow a strict schedule to ensure students can cover all areas of the SAT and are comfortable with any of them.
Flexibility is what every student wishes to have while preparing for a standardized exam like SAT. At Edument, we have structured our SAT classes such that you can prepare for your SAT with utmost flexibility. It doesn’t matter if your study speed is slow or fast, our SAT classes can be adjusted accordingly. Though our SAT preparation for students is designed to last 12 weeks, we can extend it or trim it according to your needs.
Where to book your SAT classes?
SAT is conducted by College Board across different centres of the world. The candidates have the option of selecting a centre of their choice. As the first step, the candidates need to register themselves for the SAT by visiting the official website. The link is: https://account.collegeboard.org/login/login?idp=ECL&appId=115&DURL=https%3A//nsat.collegeboard.org/satweb/login.jsp
After creating an account on the website using Username and Password, you can fill in the details required for confirming your exam date and centre. It is suggested that candidates check the official website: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat?navId=about-sat for checking the updated details about SAT and other related news or information.
To book your SAT classes, Edument can help. Our SAT experts are always there to help you get more details about the SAT and help you prepare for the same. Contact us today for more details.