S.A.T. & Subject Tests

 

SAT's College Board site	Fee Waiver Information (only 2 waivers permitted)	SAT Prep Links	SAT Writing section
Online SAT Tools & Registration	Test Day Tips & What to Bring	Acing the SAT	SAT Subject Tests - What are they?
High School Codes	College & Scholarship Codes	College Codes - PA ONLY	SAT Subject Tests - When are they required?

  SAT Program Test Dates

Test Dates	Test	Regular Registration Deadline (postmark/submit by)	LATE Registration Waiver CANNOT be used
October 1, 2011	SAT & Subject Tests	September 9, 2011	September 21, 2010
November 5, 2011	SAT & Subject Tests	October 7, 2011	October 21, 2010
December 3, 2011	SAT & Subject Tests	November 8, 2011	November 20, 2011
January 28, 2012	SAT & Subject Tests	December 30, 2011	January 13, 2012
March 10, 2012	SAT only	February 10, 2012	February 24, 2012
May 5, 2012	SAT & Subject Tests	April 6, 2012	April 20, 2012
June 2, 2012	SAT & Subject Tests	May 8, 2012	May 22, 2012

Important Information for All Test-Takers

• Sunday administrations occur the day after each Saturday test date, for students who cannot test on Saturday due to religious observance.
• The Language Tests with Listening are offered only in November.

*Students can select the four score report requests included in the registration up until 11:59 p.m. on the Monday nine days after the published test date. Score reports selected after that are subject to the regular score report fee.

**Fees are nonrefundable, except those noted with a double asterisk. You must have missed your test date to receive a refund for these services. Orders cannot be refunded, returned, or canceled after shipment.

If you ordered QAS and your order was not fulfilled (for example, because you had to take a makeup test), contact us to find out if you are entitled to a refund.

†Reduced or waived for fee-waiver users.

Payment Notes

Payment must be made in U.S. dollars and in the form of a check, money order, or credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa). Checks and money orders should be made payable to "The College Board." Insufficient payment will cause your scores to be delayed.

Do not send cash for payment. We will return unprocessed all registrations and orders received with cash or checks drawn on non-U.S. banks or other forms of payment not listed as acceptable. We reserve the right to electronically collect payments by check. Checks returned to the College Board for insufficient funds will be re-presented electronically and your account will be debited for the amount of the check, plus the state-allowed penalty fee.

In order to: 

• Register Online for SAT (Remember you'll need a credit card or FEE WAIVER CODE.) 

• Change test center, date, or test  

• Prepare for SAT with a practice test

• View or Send Scores
  You must go to http://www.collegeboard.com

 

High School Codes

Carbondale Area High School - 390545
E. L. Myers High School - 395255
Hanover Area Jr/Sr High School - 395265
Louis E. Deiruff High School  - 390038
Mahanoy Area - 392355
Mount Carmel Area - 392790
Scranton High School  - 394442
School-Age Mothers Program - CEEB: use home school code
Shenandoah Valley - 394540
Weatherly Area High School - 395115
West Scranton High School - 394455
West Side Area Vocational-Technical School -  392042
William Allen High School   - 390020

If you can not find the code for your country outside of the U.S. major, colleges, test center, or high school visit: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/codelist.html to search for the proper code.

Overview

Questions reveal how well students use standard written English. The multiple-choice questions test students' ability to identify sentence errors, improve sentences, and improve 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. The essay is scored by qualified readers, who take into account such aspects as complexity of thought, substantiality of development, and facility with language. A reader does not judge a work based on its separate traits, but rather on the total impression it creates. It is also recognized that an essay written in a short amount of time will not be polished, but represents the initial phase of the writing process: the first draft.

SAT Preparation

Check school or public library for SAT preparation books/CDs and use the links below.

http://www.collegeboard.com

http://ineedapencil.com/ 60 lessons in math, reading, & writing infused with pop culture, 800+ practice questions, and a score projector to predict your real exam's score.

4 Tests Online Practice Test

Princeton Review Online Demo and Practice Test

FreeRice.com can build your vocabulary while donating rice to the United Nations World Food Program

Test Prep Review - Free practices tests for standardized tests such as the PSAT and SAT plus things to sharpen your testing skills, even for GED and graduate level testing.

Peterson's.com - Pick a test and get tips FOR A FEE.

Dictionary.com - Learn word definitions easily using tools such as Word Of The Day.

What it Takes to Ace SAT by Bridges.com

Most high school students anticipate the day they sit down to take the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) with anxiety and dread. After all, for many, it is the test of all tests.

If you're nervous about the SATs, relax. There are many ways to prepare for this moment.

In 1926, the first students took the SAT. It had been adapted from a test administered to army recruits. By 1942, the SAT was required of all college applicants. These days, there are a few colleges in the United States that don't require the SAT as a standard part of admissions, but more often than not it is necessary.

"Typically, here in the western states we look at ACTs [American College Tests], but SAT scores are accepted," says Mike Echanis. He is the director of admissions at Idaho State University. So if you plan on attending a college or university in the U.S., plan on taking the SATs.

What to Expect

You may take the test at your high school, if offered, or at one of the many testing centers.

Catharine Watters works in the guidance department at Macdonald Collegiate Institute, a testing center. "Students are in a classroom with 20 to 27 other students. There is an instructor who reads the instructions out to the students," she says. "Both the instructor and the students must strictly follow the instructions."

Students are given three hours to complete the test.

In the spring of 2005, the SATs underwent a change in their format. The SATs now consist of three sections: writing, which includes a short essay; critical reading, formerly known as verbal section; and math.

In Preparation

How much time you spend preparing for the SATs may make it easier to complete the test in the given time frame. The better prepared you are, the more at ease you will be while taking the test.

"Learn what the SAT is about by reading the material you are given when you register," recommends Jan Gams. Gams is the associate director of public affairs with College Board.

Margaret Benedict is the founder of College Preparation Services. She feels that improving one's vocabulary is key to doing well on the SATs. She recommends that students put emphasis on vocabulary words that will be on the test.

"There are many books in bookstores that key in on SAT words," she says.

Another preparation option is to take practice tests. There are many benefits to taking such tests. You can find out what areas you need to work on. They will give you an idea of how long it will take you to complete the SATs. If you find it takes you an exceedingly long period of time to complete a practice test, try taking more tests in order to get your time down.

Perhaps the best indicator of how you will do on the SAT is the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test). The PSAT will give you a good idea of the SAT format. Inquire at your high school guidance office about when and where the PSAT is available to you.

If you don't mind spending a little more money to bring up your score, perhaps you'd like to opt for an SAT course. These are available on computer or through tutorials.

Benedict says her one-on-one tutorials have been known to bring up students' scores by 200 points. "I show them how to use strategies that apply to their particular learning style," she says.

The night before you take the test, sleep well, knowing you've done all you could. Before going in to take the test, eat a good meal. You'll find you think more clearly without hunger pains.

Test Time

The moment you've prepared for has arrived. "Students are generally very nervous," says Watters.

Benedict believes that encouragement can go a long way towards easing the mind of a student getting ready to take the SATs. "A lot of test success is how you feel. Most students can improve test scores by gaining confidence," she says.

So listen closely to the instructions, take a deep breath and relax. Take each question in turn, carefully reading it and the multiple-choice answers. When you're finished, be confident in the fact that you've done your best.

What the Results Mean for You

With a high SAT score, you may have more options when it comes time to choose a college or university. Also, a good score will increase your chances of getting a scholarship.

If you did not do so well your first time around, take heart. You can take the test again. "It's better to do it again so you know what types of questions there are," says Watters. Consider taking the SAT relatively early in the school year so you have the opportunity to take it more than once.

Remember, SAT scores are just one of the variables taken into consideration when applying to college. "Other factors are more important," says Gams, "such as grades in tough classes."

Echanis is quick to comment that SATs are just part of the student admissions. "SATs are a factor for admission, but more weight is placed upon the grade point average in college core entrance subjects," he says.

Even so, the SATs continue to be used as part of the admissions process. They should be taken seriously and given your best effort.

Links

How the SATs Work
Answers some common questions
http://people.howstuffworks.com/sat1.htm

So You Wanna Ace the SAT?
Find out how
http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/acesat/acesat.html

Secrets of the SAT
Learn more about the SAT test
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/sats/index.html

SAT Subject Tests