What is the SAT?
The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is a three-hour, primarily multiple-choice examination that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities. Because of a surplus of applicants at many universities, the SAT has become an important criteria for college admission.
What is a good score?
The SAT is scored on a scale from 200 to 800 for each of the Verbal and Math segments. 500 would represent a median score. Above 500 would be considered above average – below 500 would be considered below average. However, because of the increasing competition for admission, particularly at elite schools, the minimum SAT score requirements are often considerably above the median. Part of the research that should be pursued by a student and his or her family is to determine the standards at the colleges they are interested in attending. This information can often be found in the schools’ catalog. High school guidance offices are also a valuable resource for score interpretation.
When should I take the SAT?
Because of early admission policies that have become common at many colleges, most college bound students take the SAT in the spring of their junior year. Scores can be forwarded along with applications and the admission process expedited.
Should I take the SAT more than once?
Yes, unless you received a perfect score! The prevailing idea is that students can improve scores with subsequent efforts. The reality is, this is not always the case. While some students increase scores, others experience reduced scores. Reasons for these results vary. A more important consideration that is often neglected is how schools interpret multiple SAT taking. Some schools look at the highest scores and accept those.
Others take an average of all SAT attempts. Still others frown upon multiple attempts. The policy the school each student is interested in applying to should be determined in the research phase of the college application process. The answer to this question is simple, prepare using Community Fitness & Education and others SAT methods. Take the exam once and get the score you need the first time!
Should I report my SAT scores to colleges?
Naturally, many students prefer to see their test results before they are sent to the college admission staff. This is a perfectly reasonable preference and students are free to exercise this option. However, all SAT I scores become part of each students permanent record. If the student takes the SAT on multiple occasions, all test scores are forwarded when the permanent record is forwarded to the school in which the student is applying. The ramifications from the previous question must be considered.
When should I start preparing for the SAT?
The purpose of the SAT is to measure an individual student’s reasoning capacity and project the likelihood of success at the post secondary level. Thus, there is a positive correlation between high SAT scores and college graduation. However, the method utilized by the College Board to obtain its SAT results lends itself to considerable opportunity for preparation. The strategies for success on the SAT are the basis of the Horizons preparation method. School districts universally administer the Practice Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) in the fall of students’ junior year. Community Fitness & Education believes preparation for SAT should begin in the middle of tenth grade. While this prelude to the SAT is intended to give students an indication of their relative academic standing, what is not generally known is that PSAT scores are used as qualifiers for National Merit Scholarships. This means a high score can potentially result in scholarship money. Community Fitness & Education recommendation for students to prepare seriously for the PSAT, either with the Community Fitness & Education PSAT or SAT preparation courses. The experience and success of a good PSAT experience will carry over to similar results on the SAT.
Why should I prepare for the SAT with Community Fitness & Education?
Community Fitness & Education have built working relationships with school districts and college admissions unparalleled in the industry. We have thousands of satisfied customers who have increase their SAT scores on an average of 60 points. The not for profit educational organization status allows Community Fitness & Education to provide its services directly in schools throughout its service area. This access has allowed Horizons to develop alliances with and earn high regard from high school administrators, guidance staff and teachers throughout Central Virginia. During its company history, Horizons has improved the SAT scores of its many clients an average 140 points. These gains are often the difference between acceptance at the college of choice and merely enrolling at a school that will accept virtually anyone. At a price any family can afford, the Community Fitness & Education SAT preparation course represents offers tremendous value to serious, college aspirants.
What distinguishes the SAT from the ACT?
This is a very difficult question to answer. Historic data series suggest a strong association between high SAT or ACT scores and success in post-secondary studies. Both exams have the same purpose, to project the ability of individual high school students to succeed in college. However, the methods employed by the respective exam authors differ considerably. From their own literature, the SAT describes itself as a reasoning exam across two skill areas, Math and Verbal. The ACT measures academic achievement across four skill areas, English, mathematics, reading and science.