About The SAT Reasoning Test
The SAT Testing Reasoning Test is one of the tests of the SAT Testing Program offered by the College Board. The SAT Testing Program also includes the SAT Subject Tests.
Purpose of the SAT Reasoning Test
The SAT Reasoning Test is intended to measure the critical thinking skills an individual will need for academic success in college. The SAT Reasoning Test is used in conjunction with the Subject Tests as part of the college admissions process. Other factors taken into consideration as part of the admission process include a student's grades, recommendations, and other information, all intended to give a well-rounded picture of a prospective college applicant.
Structure of the SAT Reasoning Test
The SAT Reasoning Test is three hours and forty-five minutes long, which includes an un-scored twenty-five minute "variable" section used to help develop future test questions. The test is broken into three parts each consisting of a number of sections, as follows:
- Critical Reading (formerly known as Verbal) - This part consists of two twenty-five minute sections and one twenty minute section. Questions consist of sentence completions and passage-based reading.
- Math - This part consists of two twenty-five minute sections and one twenty minute section. Questions are multiple-choice, and student-produced response, or "grid-in" questions.
- Writing - This part consists of a thirty-five minute multiple choice section, and a twenty-five minute essay.
The twenty-five minute essay is always the first section of th SAT. The test also always ends with a ten minute multiple-choice writing section. The remaining six sections can be in any order.
The SAT Reasoning Test Writing Section
This section is new to the SAT Reasoning Test as of March of 2005. In this section, students must write an essay where students are asked to develop a point of view on an issue from an "essay prompt" (which consists of either a pair of quotations or a short paragraph). Students must effectively communicate their viewpoint as well as define and support their position. Some errors in punctuation and grammar are tolerated, and spelling errors typically do not affect a student's score unless they are pervasive.
This new section also has a thirty-five minute multiple-choice section.
When and Where the SAT Reasoning Test is Offered
Individuals typically take the SAT Reasoning Test in the spring of their junior year and/or the fall of the senior year.
The SAT Reasoning Test is offered seven times a year at U.S. test centers, and six times a year at international locations. The Reasoning Test is offered in test centers throughout the United States, as well as locations around the world. Individuals should consult the College Board web site for dates and locations.
