SAT Exam 2024 - Dates, Registration, Eligibility, Tips

Do you want to study abroad for your undergraduate degree? The SAT, or Scholastic Assessment Test, is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States and many other countries. 

It is designed to assess your readiness for college-level work. Every year, nearly 25,000 Indian students and 10 lakh students globally take the SAT exam. This guide provides a brief overview of the SAT exam, including its eligibility criteria, format, fees, scoring, registration, syllabus, and many more.

SAT Exam Key Highlights

• The exam is of 2 hours 14 minutes.
• There is no negative marking.
• Anyone can appear for the exam as there are no defined eligibility criteria.
• It is held five times a year in India.
• The SAT score will be valid for five years.

What is SAT Exam

The SAT, or the scholastic assessment test  is a standardized assessment that is required for applications to undergraduate educational programs in other countries. The examination tracks the overall readiness of students along with enabling predictions of college outcomes. 

The SAT exam in India and other countries comprises only two sections, namely Reading and Writing section and the Math section. The optional Essay section has been discontinued starting this year. Composite SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) scores usually range between 400 and 1600 and is the sum of scores in sections- Reading & Writing (200-800) and Math (200-800). The overall duration to take the test is two hours and fourteen minutes.

The entrance test is administered under the aegis of the College Board and must be given by aspirants to leading undergraduate institutions. Those aspiring to study in countries like Canada and the US should appear for the SAT exam. The College Board brought the SAT in 2018 after the Higher Education Alliance with several institutions. The registration fees for the test takers is $68, along with a regional fee of $43.

SAT Exam Benefits 

Candidates should register for the examination since its scores are vital for getting entry to several leading colleges throughout India and even abroad. The scores are also used for providing academic scholarships.

A single test will open up avenues for application to several international universities, offering courses in fields like Journalism and Design, Business Management, Law, Engineering and Liberal Art. The SAT exam scores are also accepted at almost every university in the US and Canada along with institutions in the UK and Australia.

SAT Examination Types and Other Details

Till last year, the College Board was conducting two types of the SAT exam, General Test and Subject Test, in the US and other international locations. However, the body has discontinued the SAT Subject Test starting this year.

What is the SAT General Test?

SAT General Test is a general examination which has been created for evaluation of verbal, written and mathematical abilities of students.

Eligibility for SAT examination- Key details

The SAT exam eligibility criteria depend on various factors. The College Board has not officially established any particular eligibility guidelines for those wishing to appear for this test. There is no maximum or minimum age limit for taking this examination. Studies have shown that students in the 17-19 age group are among the highest takers of the test. The examination can also be taken as many times as desired by the students. It is administered every year in India about five times. The examination usually takes place in March, August, May, December and October each year.  

SAT Examination Registration

Those willing to appear for the SAT should get themselves registered beforehand. Registrations may be done via mail in the offline method or through an online method which is more convenient and practical. In the latter system, aspirants have to create their login IDs for the official site and then undertake the procedures for registration accordingly. Here’s taking a closer look at the same:

•       Visit College Board’s official website.
•       Create your account.
•       Submit all necessary information.
•       Choose your examination and the nearest testing center.
•       Upload a clear photograph.
•       Pay your application fees.

Examination Fees for SAT

Those looking to appear for the examination will have to pay fees/charges for this purpose. The registration fee for taking the SAT is $68 and the non-US regional fees stand at $43.

Aspirants have to pay a cancellation fee of $29. The cancellation fee is costly, and an additional $29 has to be paid for getting specific services like changing the test center or date.

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SAT Exam Dates 2024

The upcoming SAT exam dates for 2024 are as follows:

SAT Exam Date	Last date for registration	Last date to make changes
7th May 2023	8th April 2023	26th April 2023
4th June 2023	5th May 2023	25th May 2023

Tentative Dates

• Last week of August 2024
• The first week of October 2024
• The first week of December 2024
• The second week of March 2024

Digital SAT Exam 2024 Syllabus 

Since the SAT transitioned to a fully digital format in March 2024, the syllabus focuses on the skills and knowledge assessed in the exam. The digital format aims to provide a more streamlined and efficient testing experience. 

Here is a general overview: 

Reading and Writing 

• Craft and Structure
• Information and Ideas
• Standard English Conventions
• Expression of Ideas

Math

• Algebra 
• Geometry and trigonometry 
• Advanced math  
• Data analysis and problem-solving 

SAT Digital Exam Pattern/Structure 2024 

The digital SAT 2024 is divided into two main sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. The total exam time is 2 hours and 14 minutes. Each section is split into two equally timed modules, with a 10-minute break between them. The digital SAT exam pattern is as follows: 

• Reading and Writing: 64 minutes (two 32-minute modules) with 54 questions.
• Math: 70 minutes (two 35-minute modules) with 44 questions.

Section Structure: 

• Each section has 2 modules of equal length. 
• First module: Mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. 
• Second module: Difficulty adapts based on first module performance. 

Question Types: 

• Mostly multiple-choice questions 
• Some math questions require direct answer input 

SAT Exam Centers in India 2024-25 

For the 2024-25 academic year, SAT exam centers in India are located in major cities across the country, such as Mumbai, Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, etc. Utilize the College Board’s official search tool to locate centers available during your chosen test date: SAT Test Center Search.

Documents Required for SAT Exam 

On the exam day, students must bring specific documents to the SAT exam center. These include:

• Valid Photo ID: A government-issued ID with your photograph, like a passport, driver's license, or school ID.
• SAT Admit Card or Ticket: This document contains your registration details and test center information. Print a copy if you received a confirmation email or bring your digital copy.

SAT Exam Admit Card - Process 

To obtain the SAT exam admit card, log into your College Board account to download and print the admit card. Ensure all information is correct and bring it to the exam center on test day.

Calculation of SAT Exam Scores

Every section of SAT will be evaluated on a scale of 200-800 points. The total score will be the sum of Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section (cumulative score of SAT Writing and Reading) and the Math section.

Both the Math and Reading and Writing sections make for 800 points each. Initial scoring (i.e. the raw score) is done on a scale of 10-40 points. This is changed into a 200–800 points scale and this makes up the end score for the EBRW section. 

Math section that contain 44 questions. This is initially scored on a scale of 10-40 points and is converted thereafter into 200-800 section scores.

The minimum score is 530 for the Math section. The lowest score is 200 for individual SAT sections. The College Board offers benchmarks, depending on the grade in which a student is appearing for SAT.

SAT Exam Results and How to View Them

Obtaining the SAT exam results is not a difficult task. The scores are usually available three weeks after giving the test. You can follow these instructions for accessing your results in the SAT:

• Click My Organizer.
• You will find SAT Scores as the option in the left-hand side menu, and you have to select the same.
• You should then click on the option called Access My Scores.
• You will have to provide your username and password details. Enter all the required information.
• Scroll downwards till you find the option called My Test Scores.

SAT Exam Cut Off 2024-25

There is no minimum passing score for the SAT. The SAT exam cut-off scores for 2024-25 vary by institution and program. Each college or university sets its benchmarks for admission based on SAT scores typically ranging from 1200 to 1350 and 1500 to 1750. However, a strong SAT score can significantly improve your application’s competitiveness.

SAT Pointers to Note

• Validity: The SAT score will be valid for 5 years and this will apply unless any criteria have changed. Aspirants usually keep taking newer tests for applying to their chosen institutions. 
• Students may order added scorecard copies if they wish to apply to more higher education institutions and colleges. They have to pay close to INR 450 or roughly $9 for this purpose.
• Score verification- This means re-evaluating test scores for checking whether scores have been obtained in all the sections or anything has been skipped. The score verification request should be submitted by filling a form and within 5 months. Always read the form instructions carefully and you will have to pay a fee for this purpose as well. For those aspirants with fee waivers, this charge will be lowered subsequently. You will ultimately get a letter with your confirmed and new SAT results in 5 weeks, upon paying this fee and submitting the form.

SAT Preparation Tips & Strategy 2024-25

• You should carefully look at online study materials available from the College Board along with taking practice tests regularly.
• You should keep analyzing these tests and work on your weaknesses.
• You should consult authentic books for preparation along with the official guide for studying.
• Stick to your study schedule.

SAT Exam Scholarship 2024-25

The College Board India Scholars Program offers students from lower-income groups (with family income of less than ₹8 lakh) up to 90% off SAT registration fees as well as scholarships at participating Indian universities, including some that cover the full tuition fees. Income-eligible students who get a total SAT score of 1300 or higher may qualify for a merit-cum-need scholarship at participating universities. Scholarship amounts are based on the student’s annual family income.

SAT Exam Sample Questions and Answers 

Question 1: 

Jan Gimsa, Robert Sleigh, and Ulrike Gimsa have proposed that the sail-like structure on the back of the dinosaur Spinosaurus aegyptiacus enhanced its ability to catch prey underwater that could make swift, evasive maneuvers. To test this hypothesis, another team of researchers built two battery-powered mechanical models of S. aegyptiacus, one featuring a sail and one without, and conducted a series of identical tests in a water tank.

Which result from the model tests, if accurate, would best support the hypothesis of Gimsa and colleagues? 

A) The model with a sail took significantly longer to travel a certain distance underwater compared to the model without a sail.

B) The model with a sail displaced significantly more water while underwater than the model without a sail.

C) The model with a sail had significantly less battery power remaining after the tests than the model without a sail.

D) The model with a sail took significantly less time to execute a sharp turn underwater compared to the model without a sail.

Question 2: 

The research of molecular biophysicist Enrique M. De La Cruz is known for __________ the traditional boundaries between academic disciplines.

Which of the following words best completes the sentence? 

A) reinforcing
B) anticipating
C) epitomizing
D) transcending

Question 3: 

Figures A and B are regular polygons, and their combined perimeters equal 63 inches. This can be written as the equation 3x + 6y = 63, where x represents the number of sides of Figure A and y represents the number of sides of Figure B. 

What is the best interpretation of the number 6 in this context? 

A) Each side of Figure B is 6 inches long.
B) Figure B has 6 sides.
C) Each side of Figure A is 6 inches long.
D) Figure A has 6 sides.

Question 4: 

Given a+2>5a + 2 > 5a+2>5 and a−4<1a - 4 < 1a−4<1, which of the following values could aaa be? 

A) 3
B) 4
C) 5
D) 6 

Question 5: 

This quote is from F. Scott Fitzgerald's book The Great Gatsby. 

The part talks about Jay Gatsby and how he's good at moving around in a quick and clever way. The author says this skill is typically American and might come from not having to do manual labor when young and maybe also because Americans play a lot of different, active games. 

In this passage, what does the word "quality" most closely mean? 

A) Characteristic
B) Standard
C) Prestige
D) Accomplishment

SAT Exam Key Highlights

• The exam is of 3-hour duration.
• There is no negative marking.
• Anyone can appear for the exam as there are no defined eligibility criteria.
• It is held five times in a year in India.
• The SAT score will be valid for five years.

Conclusion 

The SAT test is a crucial step to higher education opportunities. Understanding the exam format, key dates, and available online SAT prep course resources can help you plan a strategic approach and obtain a higher score. Additionally, being aware of the required documents and the admit card process ensures a smooth experience on the exam day. With thorough preparation, students can pass the SAT with confidence and succeed in their academic pursuits.