SAT Pattern – The Digital format
ఇంటర్మీడియట్‌ తరువాత అండర్‌ గ్రాడ్యుయేట్‌ కోర్సుల్లో చేరాలనుకునే వారు రాసే పరీక్షల్లో ఒకటి ‘స్కొలాస్టిక్‌ ఆప్టిట్యూడ్‌ టెస్ట్‌ (శాట్‌). శాట్‌ అనేది ఒక ప్రామాణిక పరీక్ష. దీన్ని కాలేజీ బోర్డు నిర్వహిస్తుంది. శాట్‌లో ఎక్కువ స్కోర్‌ తెచ్చుకున్న విద్యార్థులు అకడమిక్‌ పరీక్షల్లో కూడా ఎక్కువ మార్కులు తెచ్చుకుంటారనేది ఒక సర్వే ద్వారా నిరూపణ అయింది. అందుకే ఈ పరీక్షలో వచ్చిన మార్కుల ఆధారంగా అమెరికా, ఇతర దేశాల్లోని యూనివర్సిటీలు అడ్మిషన్స్‌ ఇస్తున్నాయి. గతంలో శాట్‌ పరీక్ష అండర్‌ గ్రాడ్యుయేషన్‌ కోసం విదేశాలకు వెళ్లాలనుకునేవారు ఎక్కువగా రాసేవారు. కొన్ని సంవత్సరాలుగా భారతదేశంలో అండర్‌ గ్రాడ్యుయేషన్‌ కోర్సుల ప్రవేశానికి కూడా ఈ స్కోర్‌ను ఉపయోగిస్తున్నారు. ఉదాహరణకు ఇంజినీరింగ్‌, ఆర్ట్స్‌ , కామర్స్‌ వంటి కోర్సుల్లో ప్రవేశాల కోసం కొన్ని యూనివర్సిటీలు పరిగణనలోకి తీసుకుంటున్నాయి. ఈ స్కోర్‌తో పాటు ఇతర ఎలిజిబిలిటీ క్రైటీరియా కూడా ఉంటుంది.
The SAT entrance exam is a paper based exam. In December 2022, students wrote the paper based format in India. But, the College board has made the announcement that the Digital pattern of exam is available from next year. The testing time for Digital is shorter than Paper based exam, also it has more time per question. The size of the passages are shorter. Scores can be released much faster. The score range of Digital and paper-pattern is the same.
The Digital SAT in each assessment has two sections: the Reading and Writing section and the Math section. Students have 64 minutes to complete the Reading and Writing section and 70 minutes to complete the Math section. Each Reading and Writing module is for 32 minutes, while each Math module is for 35 minutes. After completing the Reading and Writing section, the students move on to the Math section. Total testing time for the digital SAT is around 2 hours and 14 minutes.
The test is conducted in stages. Both the Reading and Writing, and the Math sections are divided into two equal-duration and separately timed stages, each composed of a module of questions. Within each module, students can move backward and forward among questions before the time runs out. When time runs out on the first module of each section, the testing platform of digital SAT moves students to the second module. In the first module students will face a mix of easy, medium, and difficult questions. Based on how students perform on the first module, the second module of questions will either be more hard or less hard.
Question types used in the Reading and Writing section are Discrete; 4 option multiple choice. In the Math section around 75% questions are Discrete; 4 option multiple choice around 25% are student produced responses (SPR). The SPR can have negative or positive values.
Website: satsuite.collegeboard.org
Questions in SAT Math Section come from the following areas:
Algebra: Linear equations in one variable, Linear equations in two variables, Linear functions, Systems of two linear equations in two variables, Linear inequalities in one or two variables
Advanced Math: Equivalent expressions, Nonlinear equations in one variable and systems of equations in two variables, Nonlinear functions.
Problem Solving and Data analysis: Ratios, rates, propor tional relationships, and units, Percentages, One-variable data: distributions and measures of center and spread,Two-variable data: models and scatter plots, Probability and conditional probability, Inference from sample statistics and margin of error, Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments.
Geometry and Trigonometry: Area and volume, Lines, angles, and triangles, Right triangles and trigonometry, Circles Students who are comfortable with high school mathematics, and are also preparing for competitive exams like IPMAT can comfortably tackle these sections with a little bit of practice. Conceptual clarity is quite important in some topics as they are slightly different from other Indian entrance exams. Statistics and Scatter plots may seem new but with practice, they can be easily mastered.
Questions on the Reading and Writing section test the following skills:
Contextual words and appropriateness, Text Structure and Purpose, Cross-Text Connections, Central Ideas and Details, Command of Evidence (Textual, Quantitative), Inferences. Standard english ideas and expression of ideas
This section tests a student’s understanding of the language and comprehension which is important for college education. Students need to be familiar with vocabulary and its nuances. Words have secondary meanings that they should be able to interpret from context. Grammar concepts including punctuation are essential. Learn and revise rules about tenses, parts of speech, subject verb agreement, parallelism, modifiers and redundancy. Students need the ability to read and understand the given content. They should have the knowledge how text can be structured or organised well. Information given in the form of tables or graphs should also be interpreted. Good reading habits will help students to accomplish good scores in this section. Read international newspapers like New York times (online), read articles and editorials. Frame your own opinions and develop your thinking. Observe the style in which content is presented. The content in the text can come from Literature, history/social studies, humanities, science. Students may find a little difficulty as they may find the text from literature etc unfa miliar. Elimination techniques need to be learnt. However, ultimately it is solving given questions hence learn and apply the strategies to tackle them.
The following facilities are available in the digital test mode:
1) Mark for review: Students can flag and return to any question within a given test module they want to come back to later. This will help you to tackle the easy ones in the first look, and come back for the tricky and confusing questions again.
2) Testing timer: A clock counts down the time remaining in each module. If it causes anxiety, students can hide the timer, and they get an alert when 5 minutes remain in the module. However, we don’t recommend hiding. Having a tab on time is essential.
3) Calculator: A built-in calculator is available on the entire Math section.This can help you with fast and accurate answers. (Students can also bring their own approved calculator.)
4) Reference sheet: In the Math section, a reference list of common formulae are given. Formulae play an important role in solving some questions.
5) Annotation: Students can highlight any part of a question and leave themselves a note.
SAT Test Dates:
SAT is conducted multiple times in a year. It was conducted in August, October, December in 2022. The next set of dates available are March, May and June of 2023. Internationally Digital dates are available from Spring 2023. The test date information can be checked here: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/digital/international-testing/dates-deadlines
The SAT exam usually has a validity of 5 years. So, students take it in 11th or 12th grade. You can check with the university you are interested in, to have more clarity of which test scores they take.
SAT Registration Fee:
The SAT registration fee is $60, plus a $43 regional fee. Some times fee waiver options might be available. SAT scores need to be sent to the colleges you are interested in through the SAT portal. You can send scores to 4 colleges free of charge, at time of registration or within 9 days after the test is taken. An additional amount of at least $12 is charged.
For more details about fees: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/digital/international-testing/fees
Colleges that consider SAT scores for admissions, may have other requirements too. Some may ask for an essay, while others may conduct an interview. Students have to check the detailed admission procedure of the universities they are interested in before applying.
SAT score acceptance in Indian colleges:
There are many Indian colleges and universities accepting SAT scores from Indian students or Foreign nationals for admi ssions. Some colleges consider SAT scores for select programs. So, it is essential for a student to go not by just the college name but by the program that considers the score. To send scores students need to use a college code, or search in the SAT portal by college name. The list of indian institutions can be found here: https:// interna tional.collegeboard.org/students/sat/acceptance-india
There are over 40 Indian colleges accepting SAT scores.
The prominent names among these are IIM Ranchi, Amrita University, Vellore Institute of Technology, SRM University, BML Munjal, NMIMS, Manipal University, Shiv Nadar University etc. Students are strongly advised to check the programs under each of these names before proceeding.
Some of these colleges can have the SAT as one of the entrance tests. For instance, IIM Ranchi accepts SAT scores or IPMAT Indore scores for its admissions. Amrita university has its own entrance exam, and also accepts SAT scores along with other modes of entrance tests. Some universities do mention the percentage of admissions taken through SAT. It can also aid your decision in taking the test.
Students who are taking the SAT for international admissions are advised to look at the admission deadlines of respective universities and plan the tests. Check the eligibility scores required for admission. Also, the other documents and forms needed for admission.
Sirisha Reddy
Director- Academics
Gyanville Academy
+91 76759 62248
www.gyanville.in
IITJEE | CLAT | IIM IPM
