Eligibility and Fees

The SAT (technically known as the SAT I) is a general test of verbal and quantitative reasoning accepted for U. S. college admissions. The test is required for admission to undergraduate programs of most US universities. Many universities also require you to take SAT-II tests.

SAT-I : Reasoning Tes t: The SAT-I is a three hour, primarily multiple-choice test that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities that develop over time. Most colleges require SAT-I scores for admission.

SAT-II : Subject Tests : The SAT-II subject tests are one hour, primarily multiple-choice tests that measure your knowledge of particular subjects and your ability to apply that knowledge. Many universities may require you to take this along with SAT-I.

The SAT is developed and administered by the US-based "College Entrance Examination Board". This implies that Collegeboard sets the questions, conducts the test, and sends each examinee the score report.

In India, SAT is conducted at the following cities: Bangalore, Calcutta, Cochin, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kodaikanal, Mumbai, Mussoorie, New Delhi, and Pune.

SAT is held about 6-7 times a year. The testing calendar is displayed here.

Anyone and everyone interested is eligible for taking the SAT. The SAT test scores are valid for Five years, i.e., most universities accept scores up to five years old.

Test fees for SAT for Indian students:

1. Credit Card - Visa, Mastercard or American Express
2. Bank Draft (Dollar Draft, not Indian Rupees)
3. Check Drawn on a U.S. Bank
4. United States Postal Service Money Order
5. International Money Order
6. UNESCO Coupon
7. Postal Reply Coupon

The common ways to apply for SAT

By mail : Obtain the "SAT Information Bulletin" available free with USEFI offices or from collegeboard website.

Fill in the form, get the draft made (if you are not paying by credit card), and use the envelope provided with the form to mail these to:

College Board SAT Program
Princeton, NJ 08541,
USA

Online Registration (Credit Card required): Fill up the form online and mention your credit card number. This is the easiest way to register for SAT.

SAT-I : The SAT-I is a three hour exam, divided into seven sections. The following table gives out the format of the SAT-I :

SAT-II: Subject Tests
Writing, Literature, American History and Social Studies, World History, Math IC, Math IIC, Biology, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, Chinese Listening, French Reading, French Listening, German Reading, German Listening, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Japanese Listening, Korean Listening, Latin, Spanish Listening, Spanish Reading, English Language Proficiency

Collegeboard has the provision of reporting your SAT scores to a maximum of four universities of your choice, the cost of which is built into the SAT fee you pay. You have to mention the universities to which you want to send the scores in the SAT application form. This implies that even before taking the SAT, you need to do some homework on which universities you’re finally going to apply, based on the score that you expect to attain. For reporting to each additional university, the Collegeboard charges you $6.50 (approx. Rs. 280), payable by an international credit card or a dollar denominated draft.

The SAT results comprise three different scores : a total score (400-1600), a separate score for Verbal section (200-800) and a separate score for Mathematics section (200-800).