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What is the SAT? The SAT is a standardized exam, offered world-wide, that helps colleges evaluate how you compare to other students who are applying to college, and how well you can be expected to perform at their college. The SAT consists of an essay, sections on critical reading and on writing (the “verbal” sections), as well as sections on mathematics (the “math” sections). The different parts of the exam are scored separately. The exam is almost four hours long. For definitive information, go to the official SAT website. Why should I take it? Most U.S. colleges and some international institutions require that you submit an SAT score. Practice Makes Perfect on the SAT |
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When should I take it? Our experience is that your first SAT score is a wake-up call. Even if you have taken the PSAT, plan to take the SAT more than once during eleventh grade. It is offered several times a year, but if you are outside the United States, you must check carefully and well in advance to be sure when and where the SAT will be offered at a test center near you. Warning: the last date for taking the SAT in time for Early Decision/Early Action deadlines is October of our senior year. Some students find themselves scrambling to fit that October exam into what is already a very busy senior year.
What about the ACT? Many colleges accept scores from an alternative exam, the ACT. Athena Mentor recommends that you also take the ACT (the version with an essay-writing component) during eleventh grade. That way, you can get a sense of which exam you find better suited to you. For definitive information on the ACT, go to the official ACT website. What are SAT 2s? Known also as “SAT Subject Exams,” the SAT 2s are one-hour-long exams that test specific such matters, such as French or biology. Some colleges require SAT 2 scores in addition to the SAT general reasoning exam described above. Again, check the website of each college to which you plan to apply. What is a good score on the SAT? Athena Mentor strongly urges you to make a chart showing your grades and SAT/ACT scores, and those of the last class admitted to each college to which you plan to apply. This will show you where you stand. How can I prepare? Athena Mentor offers both math and verbal training for the SAT at our office in Munich, Germany. We specialize in leveraging the advantages that international students bring to the exam–and showing you how to cope with the challenges of English. But my English is excellent! Good! However, if that’s all it took, every native speaker of English could expect to get the near-perfect scores that are typical of students accepted to the top colleges. For example, Ivy League schools are looking for verbal scores above 700 on a scale of 800, whereas the average verbal score is more like 550. Moreover, the grading scale is asymptotic. This means that the higher the range, the more difficult it is to score just a little bit higher. What’s the best way to get started? Athena Mentor has created a special daily training program to strengthen your vocabulary and grammar. Every day, you get a short bit of a story with new vocabulary words to learn, or a mini exercise or quiz. The next day’s message tells you the answers and gives you a new challenge. You can access the messages by email, even on your mobile phone. Some of the stories we told to us by international students like you, so we hope you will enjoy them! The eight-week program costs 65 euros plus tax. Email us to get started: |
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