SAT Tutor's Blog » FAQs

What are SAT Percentiles?

Adam — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:14:40 +0000

SAT Percentiles tell you the percentage of SAT test takers you performed better than. For example, if your score is in the 75th percentile, you performed better than approximately 75 percent of students who took the test. Although percentiles for each SAT subject vary from test to test, scores generally break down into the following [...]

Can I use a calculator on the SAT?

Adam — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:44:14 +0000

Yes. The SAT allows these calculators for use on the Math sections of the test: four-function calculators scientific calculators graphing calculator While the SAT allows scientific and graphing calculators, a simple, four-function (+, -, X, / ) calculator is all you really need for the SAT I. Calculators you CANNOT use: X pocket organizer X [...]

How is the SAT Organized?

Adam — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:16:45 +0000

The SAT is organized into 10 individually tested sections: more....

How are SAT Critical Reading Sections Organized?

Adam — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:56:05 +0000

SAT Critical Reading consists of 67 questions in three sections: SAT Critical Reading (CR) tests 3 types of questions: 19 Sentence Completions (SC) A sentence with one or two words missing. Choose which missing word(s) that best complete the sentence. Sentence Completion questions appear in order of difficulty. 8 Short Passage (SP) A one paragraph [...]

How are SAT Math Sections Organized?

Adam — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:25:58 +0000

SAT Math consists of 54 total questions tested in three sections. SAT Math includes 2 types of questions: 44 Multiple Choice (MC): Typical SAT question with 5 answer choices. 10 Grid-In (GI): Enter an actual value on your answer sheet, instead of simply filling in a multiple choice oval. SAT Math questions appear in order [...]

What is an Equating Section?

Adam — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:35:00 +0000

What is an Equating Section? The SAT includes an additional experimental or ‘Equating’ section that does not count toward your final score. The Equating section is designed to test out new questions and to compare the performances of current students with those of previous test takers. The Equating section can test any of the three [...]

Is SAT Math very advanced?

Adam — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:11:00 +0000

Is SAT Math very advanced? No. The concepts tested on the SAT math sections are all fairly basic. The most advanced math you need to know is basic Geometry and some Algebra II. As a matter of fact, a students often find that the biggest difficulty on the math section is remembering some of the [...]

What Should I Bring on Test Day?

Adam — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:47:58 +0000

What to bring to the SAT on test day: SAT Admission Ticket Photo ID No.2 Pencils (no mechanical pencils) Calculator (check your batteries!) Snacks & Drink (during breaks) Watch (turn off the alarm) Earplugs Backpack (to put everything in) What you may NOT bring to the SAT (according to the College Board): X scratch paper [...]

Why should I take time to study for the SAT?

Adam — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:08:00 +0000

Students these days are very busy. Homework, extracurricular, and social activities all compete for attention, and finding the extra time to study for the SAT can really put a crimp in your schedule. Yet in terms of the benefit to your college application, studying for the SAT is probably the best and most efficient use [...]

How is the SAT scored?

Adam — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 11:37:23 +0000

Each SAT subject (Critical Reading, Writing, and Math) is scored on an 800 point scale. Each of these ‘scaled scores’ is determined by comparing your ‘raw score’ on each subject with those of other students. Scoring on SAT Multiple Choice questions For all SAT multiple choice questions (except Math Grid-Ins) your raw score is calculated [...]