Administered By

The College Board

Purpose

The SAT is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. It assesses a student's readiness for college-level work and provides colleges with a common data point to compare applicants from different high schools.

Sections

The test has two main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (which includes a Reading Test and a Writing and Language Test) and Math. An optional essay section may be available depending on test administration.

Format

The test is a multiple-choice format, often administered digitally, covering critical reading skills, grammar and rhetoric, and math concepts from algebra, geometry, and basic trigonometry.

Scoring

The total score ranges from 400 to 1600, with each of the two main sections (Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) scored from 200 to 800.

Target Audience

High school students, typically juniors and seniors (11th and 12th graders), planning to apply to two-year and four-year colleges and universities.

Prerequisites

There are no formal academic prerequisites, but the exam is designed for students who have completed a rigorous high school curriculum.