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- SAT Reasoning Test
SAT REASONING TEST
A number of Coast Guard programs require applicants to have specific SAT, ACT, or ASVAB scores. Also, many colleges and universities use the SAT as one indicator among others – class rank, high school GPA, extracurricular activities, personal essay, and teacher recommendations – of a student's readiness to do college-level work. However, most colleges and universities admit military personnel to their programs without requiring either SAT or ACT scores.
The SAT Reasoning Test assesses how well you analyze and solve problems – skills you learned in school that you'll need in college. This test is in many ways different from the previous version, the SAT I, which was revised to "improve the alignment of the test with current curriculum and institutional practices in high school and college. By including a third measure of skills – writing – the new SAT will help colleges make better admissions and placement decisions. In that way, the new SAT will reinforce the importance of writing throughout a student's education."
The test is broken down into three areas: critical reading, mathematics, and writing. The total exam time is 3 hours and 45 minutes. There are also two mandatory five-minute breaks.
Critical Reading
The critical reading section of the SAT includes short reading and long passages, and sentence-completion questions. Reading passages range from 500 to 800 words. The short reading passages are paragraphs of about 100 words, followed by questions similar to those on the longer reading passages.
|
CONTENT |
# OF QUESTIONS |
time allowed |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Extended reasoning |
36 - 40 |
} |
Two 25-minute sections, one 20-minute section |
|
Literal comprehension |
4 - 6 |
||
|
Vocabulary in context |
4 - 6 |
||
|
total |
67 |
70 minutes |
|
Mathematics
The math section measures mathematical problem solving and covers topics such as exponential growth, absolute value, and functional notation and places greater emphasis on such other topics as linear functions, manipulations with exponents, and properties of tangent lines. It uses five-choice multiple-choice questions, and student-produced responses (grid-ins).
|
CONTENT |
# OF QUESTIONS |
time allowed |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Numbers and operations |
11 - 13 |
} |
Two 25-minute sections, one 20-minute section |
|
Algebra and functions |
19 - 21 |
||
|
Geometry and measurement |
14 - 16 |
||
|
Data analysis, statistics, and probability |
6 - 7 |
||
|
total |
54 |
70 minutes |
|
Writing
The writing section includes multiple-choice questions and an essay. The questions see how well students use standard written English and test their ability to identify sentence errors, improve sentences and paragraphs.
The essay measures the student’s skill in developing a point of view on an issue. Students must first think critically about the issue presented in the essay assignment, forming their own individual perspective on the topic. Then they must develop that point of view, using reasoning and evidence based on their own experiences, readings, or observations to support their ideas.
|
CONTENT |
# OF QUESTIONS |
time allowed |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Essay |
1 |
} |
One 25-minute essay, one 25-minute multiple-choice section, and one 10-minute multiple-choice section |
|
Improving sentences |
25 |
||
|
Identifying sentence errors |
18 |
||
|
Improving paragraphs |
6 |
||
|
total |
50 |
60 minutes |
|
Order of tests
According to the College Board, "The 25-minute essay will always be the first section of the SAT, and the 10-minute multiple-choice writing section will always be the final section. The remaining six 25-minute sections can appear in any order, as can the two 20-minute sections. Test takers sitting next to each other in the same testing session may have test books with entirely different sections."
Unscored section
The College Board also wants you to be aware that in addition to these scored tests there is "one 25-minute unscored section, known as the variable or equating section. This unscored section may be either a critical reading, math, or writing multiple-choice section. This unscored section does not count toward the final score, but is used to try out new questions for future editions of the SAT and to ensure that scores on new editions of the SAT are comparable to scores on earlier editions of the test."
Ordering the Test
ESOs who are DANTES Test Control Officers (TCOs) can obtain and administer the SAT Reasoning Tests at their units only from 01 October through 30 June each year. TCOs in the continental U.S. will receive it within about two weeks after ordering it.
Cost
Military personnel (both regular and Reserve) may take the SAT Reasoning Test at DANTES military test sites throughout the country. There is no charge for the first test, but you must pay for all subsequent tests. Unfortunately, DANTES military test sites are not allowed to offer the SAT Reasoning Test to anyone but uniformed military personnel. Although there is an ACT Writing Test, it is not offered at military test sites or paid for by DANTES.
DANTES will generally only fund one administration of either the SAT or the ACT. There are two exceptions, however:
-
you plan to apply to more than one school or program and need both SAT and ACT scores,
-
you're transferring to another institution and the alternate test is required.
Results
The results of the SAT Reasoning Test are available about eight weeks after test is returned for scoring.
SAT Preparation Resources
Free eKnowledge SAT preparation software is available through contributions from NFL and MLB players, as well as many other organizations.
If you received the software last year, you’ll need to get a free upgrade. While the software is free (retail price $200), you must pay $13.84, which covers the cost of technical and customer support, registration, licensing, processing, handling, and worldwide shipping.
Parents of high school students applying for college next year should get this software early, so their children can begin preparing ASAP.
There are also many on-line resources. Here are a few :
Compare the SAT with the ACT