What Is the SAT Test

What Is the SAT Test? Registering for the SAT Generally students take the test during your junior year in high school, but some students wait until their senior year. You'll need to submit your scores with your college application. Required test scores vary from college to college, but you can take the test more than once to get a higher score if that's what you need to get into a certain college. Related Articles Is SAT Test Preparation Necessary? Is SAT Test Preparation Necessary? Guide to the New SAT Changes for Teens Guide to the New SAT Changes for Teens What Is the ACT Test? What Is the ACT Test? Selecting a Date The SAT Exam is given seven times each year in the United States. Exact dates vary from year to year, but the testing months remain constant. They are: October November December January March May June Registering for the Exam To register to sit for the exam, go to Official CollegeBoard website. Available testing dates are listed on the screen, along with details about how much time is left to sign up before registration closes. Click on "Register Now" for the date that you want to test, and follow the on-screen instructions to sign up. Exam Locations The test is given at schools that have received authorization to become SAT test centers, with options available in most communities. When you register, you will be directed to select the testing location most convenient to you. Visit the SAT Code Search page to find out what options are available to you. Cost As of 2012, the cost to take the exam is $50. Students who cannot afford the exam can apply for a fee waiver. See SAT Fee Waivers to learn how to apply for a waiver. What to Expect from the SAT Exam The SAT test is broken down into three, timed parts. The exam is three hours and twenty minutes long, and has a variety of questions. Critical Reading There are a total of 67 questions in the critical reading section. There are two types of questions in this section: questions on passages that you read, and sentence completion questions where you have to choose the best word given the context of the sentence. All questions in this section are multiple choice. The critical reading section is broken down into one 20-minute section and two 25-minute sections. Math There are a total of 54 questions, divided into two types. The first section requires you to solve a problem, and choose the best answer from a list of options. The second type of question requires you to solve the problem and "grid-in" your answers. You are allowed to use a calculator and scratch paper. This section is broken down into one 20-minute section and two 25-minute sections.