SAT US

 

SAT Tutors – Scholastic Assessment Test

US University Applications

Mayfair Consultants offers comprehensive, professional support for SAT preparation. Our tutors, many of who hold postgraduate degrees, are experienced in guiding SAT preparation. We provide one-to-one tutorials either in our London office or remotely to give you the flexibility you need, wherever you may need it. We assist with the online SAT application procedure and test preparation to support you in excelling in each step of your academic journey. Our SAT Tutors can help you achieve the top scores on this test.

 

What is SAT?

The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is an entrance exam accepted by universities in the United States. The examination lasts 3 hours and consists of two sections, namely Mathematics and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. US universities use SAT results, along with GPA and recommendations, to select the most promising candidates. SAT was designed to drift away from the US curriculum and serves as a common datapoint for the US universities. SAT is also frequently used by social sciences researchers to study human intelligence.

 

What does SAT assess?

The examination assesses the applicants’ writing, critical reading and mathematics skills. The two SAT sections are Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Mathematics, taken consecutively.

 

Details on the sections are provided below:

 

Section	Subsection	Number of questions	Time limit
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing	Reading Test	52	65
	Writing and Language Test	44	35
Mathematics   80% multiple-choice 20% gridded-response	Calculator not allowed	15	25
	Calculator allowed	30	55

 

 

SAT Tutors & Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

The Reading Test consists of 5 passages, 500-750 words long. The passages are followed by multiple-choice questions. There are three broad categories of questions on the reading test:

• ‘How the Author Uses Evidence’ – tests understanding of the use of evidence to support a claim.
• ‘Understanding Words in Context’ – tests the ability to interpret the meaning of a word in a context
• ‘Analysis in History/Social Studies and in Science’ – tests the ability to examine and interpret data. No prior knowledge of social studies or science is required for this part.

The Writing and Language Test consists of 4 passages of different complexity, 400-450 words each. There are 11 multiple-choice questions for each passage. Questions fall into two categories: improvement of expression of ideas and recognition of errors (grammar, punctuation, etc.).

 

SAT Math Test:

SAT Math Test assesses your understanding of mathematical concepts and ability to apply them. You are not permitted a calculator in the first part of the test to test your ability to solve problems accurately. The second part allows a calculator and tests your ‘calculator fluency’.

 

80% of the questions on the Math Test are multiple-choice, and 20% are the ‘gridded response’ questions. An answer to gridded response questions is always a number (either fraction, decimal or positive integer), that you need to enter.

 

The questions fall into the following sections:

• ‘Heart of Algebra’, containing 19 questions. Tests knowledge of linear equations and inequalities.
• ‘Problem Solving and Data Analysis’, containing 17 questions. Tests knowledge on probabilities, percentages, proportional relationships and analyzing quantitive data.
• ‘Passport to Advanced Math’, containing 16 questions. Tests knowledge of algebraic equations, nonlinear equations and nonlinear functions
• ‘Additional topics in Math’, containing 6 questions. Tests knowledge in trigonometry and problems related to area and volume

You need to bring your calculator to the test. You are allowed to use most graphing and all scientific calculators. Please see the SAT Calculator Policy for more details.

 

What score should I aim to achieve?

Both sections of the test are scored on a scale of 200-800 in 10-point increments. The essay is scored on a scale of 2-8, in 1-point increments.

 

As of 2022, Ivy League colleges chose to suspend the requirement of SAT and ACT scores. Students choose if they want to submit their test scores as a part of their application. Cornell University notes that “applicants with no test results might more often be asked after review has begun for additional evidence of continuing preparation, including grade reports from current senior year enrollment when that can be made available (…)“.

 

The benefit of taking the test is that these results are still considered if submitted (the only exception being ‘test-blind’ colleges). Submitting an outstanding SAT result will boost your application and demonstrate excellent college readiness and academic preparation. In some cases (athletic scholars, etc.), they might be still required.

 

As reported by Best Colleges here, average 2021 SAT scores (25th – 75th percentile) were:

Harvard University: 1460 – 1580

Princeton University: 1450 – 1570

University of Pennsylvania: 1490 – 1560

Yale University: 1460-1580

 

For all Ivies, the average scores (25th to 75th percentile) were between 1468 – 1564 points, with an acceptance rate of 5.5%.

 

How can I prepare for SAT?

If you want to use SAT assessment for college admission, remember to start preparing early to allow time for a retake, if needed. Managing time and resources available to you efficiently is crucial for success.

 

Practice is key for this examination, and you will find yourself under time pressure while doing the exam. Practising past papers under timed conditions will help you feel more confident on the examination day. Familiarise yourself with the form of the questions asked and practice transferring your answers to the answer booklets. Pay particular attention to grid-style questions, as these tend to confuse test-takers.

 

A revision technique often recommended by Oxbridge tutors is to attempt the questions again after you finish the practice paper and before checking the solutions. Take your time to go through the paper again to find and solve the questions that you could not do because of the time constraint. Practice any areas in your subject that you repeatedly get wrong. You can then use active recall revision techniques to memorise the required content.

 

Khan Academy offers free resources to facilitate your learning towards the SAT score you need. The resources include an online support program, worked answers and practice tests. Ensure you use the resources available to you and understand how to best structure your work.

 

Would you prefer getting professional help to achieve the SAT score you need? At Mayfair Consultants we offer online and in-person tutoring to give you one-to-one, tailored support. We will support you in your endeavours at every step of your application and provide individualised resources and sessions that will help you develop your knowledge effectively and expand your strengths.

 

How to register?

Choose your test centre locations and your preferred test date. Sign in to a College Board account and complete your online registration. The cut-off date for registration is typically 4 weeks before the SAT date.

 

SAT Tutors & Experts in London and remotely

Mayfair Consultants offers one-to-one SAT tuition, either in our central London office or remotely, for our clients. Our team consists of exceptionally skilled specialists, with many holding postgraduate degrees, ready to support you at each step of the way. We will guide you on how to apply your knowledge to SAT questions and tailor the approach to you, helping you reach your full potential quickly. If you would like to arrange private lessons or have any questions about our tuition services, please call us on tel: +44 (0) 207 665 6606 or you can send us an email via our contact form.

Useful Resources for SAT Tutors & Students

https://www.collegeboard.org/

https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration/dates-deadlines

American University Applications & Ivy League Common Application