The SAT is a college readiness examination that colleges use to assess student’s critical thinking abilities. It is thus an important factor in admissions and also helps account for differences between school districts.

The ACT is offered by a testing company other than Collegeboard and is generally considered equivalent to the SAT. Both tests assess college readiness. Generally, the ACT is considered to be more time pressured than the SAT but the question types are easier. Also, the ACT has a science section whereas the SAT does not.

A competitive score is 2200+, which is in the 99th percentile of all test takers. A score of 2200 is ideal for students applying to ivy league schools. A competitive score for top public universities such as UC Berkley, UCLA, University of Michigan, and University of Carolina is 2100. Most other students should aim to break at least 2000. While 2000 is not a competitive score, it will still afford you a fair chance at all but the top schools.

Besides strengthening your college application, SAT scores are also helpful in securing various scholarships from third parties and from universities. For instance, the Regents scholarship from the UC school system is dependent on GPA and SAT scores.

Students usually start studying for the SAT in the summer of their sophomore year and do not stop studying until the fall of their senior year. The SAT is not a test you can study overnight and do well in. Rather, it is a test that you need learn slowly over time to eventually master.

The SAT tests Critical Reading, Math, and Writing. Critical Reading includes vocabulary and passage comprehension questions. Math includes topics taught in Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II classes. Writing includes questions on grammar principles and a sample essay used to test a student’s writing ability.

All books are different and students should pick a style that works for them. The only book I recommend that every student gets is the BlueBook, which is published by Collegeboard and contains 10 real SAT tests.

Marksmen Academy has several free guides, lesson plans, and videos to help you on the SAT. Collegeconfidential is also an outstanding resource to that gives in depth explanations to many SAT questions. There are even threads on the forum devoted to grading your essays!

You should take the SAT at least once in your junior year and at least once in your senior year. It is absolutely necessary to try in your senior year simply because you are much older and smarter at that point your high school career.

Each SAT is graded differently based on its pre-determined difficulty level. For instance, -1 on the math section for a hard math test might yield a score of 790/800 for a hard test but on an easier test it might yield a score of 760/800. There is nothing you can do to control how the curve will affect your score, so just do your best.

The PSAT is a test that is modeled after the SAT that has no bearing on your SAT score. It is used to obtain scholarships such as the National Merit Scholarship when offered to high school Juniors. A score of 220+ will usually secure a scholarship.

Students should take the SAT 2-3 times. There is no limit, but it is recommended that students do not take the test more than 3 times because colleges can see how many times the SAT was taken. Taking it too many times could raise some red flags.

You can sign up for the SAT on Collegeboard’s website. Sign up here:http://www.collegeboard.org/

The experimental section does not count against your score and is used to audit future SAT’s to ensure that each test is similar in difficulty level. It is generally impossible to tell what the experimental section is, so do your best on every section and do not concern yourself with it.

Students who are creative in their approaches to solving problems and who are willing to spend the time necessary to master the SAT will get a higher score. The SAT is more of a test of hard work and persistence than a test of actual intelligence.

The personal statement is one of the most important essays you will write. In a sea full of similar grades and test scores, your application will really stand out if you put a lot of effort into it. If you are applying to a top 25 school, the essay becomes even more important. To ensure that you give it enough thought, you should start during the summer after junior year.

It is somewhat important where you go to college, but there probably will be several schools where you can become well-educated and happy. What you put into it is often more important where you choose to go.

Personal responsibility. You have a lot more time in college, and your teachers or parents won’t be there to hold your hand. Of course there will be help and guidance, but you alone will be responsible for your success.

Your teacher recommendations, much like your personal statement, gives the admissions officer a subjective assessment of you. How are you like? Are you an active student in class? Do you always have good things to share? Again, a really good teacher recommendation can set you apart, so make sure to ask your teachers early, so that they don’t write you a generic one.

If for any reason, for example your teacher is not as fluent in English, your teacher asks you to write the recommendation for them, do not do it. In that case, you should go ask another teacher because teacher recommendations should only be done by teachers. In most cases, teachers can write your recommendation in their native language. You can then take it to be translated either by a professional agency or someone who knows that language well.

Your first instincts may tell you to email the admissions officer and ask for an interview to strengthen your case. Don’t. Admissions officers don’t like their inbox being spammed, and you have already had your chance to make your case.

There is still, however, a slim chance that you can gain admissions into that college.The reason why most colleges have a wait-list is because they are afraid they will not meet their yield. For example MIT might be looking to enroll 1400 students, but not everyone out of the say 1900 students will accept their admissions to MIT. If they somehow don’t make that yield, they started admitting people from the wait-list.

The chances of that, however are low, so don’t get your hopes up. For example, last year MIT admitted 65 students from their wait-list. A few years ago, they didn’t admit anyone from their wait-list. If you decide that you really want to go there, stay on the wait-list, accept an offer from another school, and hope for the best. If that school does admit you from the wait-list, your previous choice will be overridden.

Do not email your colleges about them. If it is a significant award, achievement, etc. you can include them in your Midyear Reports.

That small fluctuation won’t affect your admissions chances drastically. Colleges will see this change in the Midyear Report. As long as your grades don’t change significantly from your average, you should be fine.

Some colleges conduct interviews after you submitted your application. If it is an in person one, make sure you dress nicely (don’t wear a suit if you look uncomfortable or awkward in one). The interview will be relatively informal, but you should have the answers to these common questions:

-What do you think is your biggest strength?
-Talk about something you did that you are proud of?-
-You mentioned that you were part of X organization. Tell me more about that
-Why would Y college be a good fit for you?
-Do you have any questions for me?

That last question is crucial. Make sure you come prepared with questions either about the college or your interviewer. Good questions to ask are:

-What made you decide to go to Y college?
-What was your favorite experience at Y college?
-How has Y college shaped you the way you are now?

The interview is a chance for you to find out more about the college that you’re applying to. The last question is also really a trick question because they want to see that you are prepared, that your really are interested in enrolling, and that you have the personality and skills to succeed if you choose to attend.

Only if it really answers the question. Every prompt has its nuances, and if your essay does not fully address them, do not send in a copy of an essay that you wrote for another college.

Apply to the FAFSA here. Even if you don’t think you qualify, it’s worth a shot. Individual schools will also give you financial aid based on your need. The rest will either have to come out of your own pocket, or you will have to take out al oan.

Major in something that interests you, as opposed to something that will make you money. If you don’t like your major, you will have a hard 4 years ahead of you. As long as you’re passionate about what you are doing, you will be fine.

If you can, you should live in your dorm. Many people say that they learned the most not in classrooms, but outside of it. The people that you meet in college will have a profound effect on you, so you don’t want to miss that opportunity.

In short, it’s a lot of fun. You’ll meet a lot of your good friends there, and you’ll get a taste of what it’s like to have complete freedom over your life.