What is the SAT and Why Should I Care?
The SAT is a Standardized Test that colleges use to determine whether or not you're admitted into a college, how much you're offered in scholarships, and your placement in classes. Scoring better on the SAT means you will have more colleges to choose from because more places will accept you. It also means that you will be more likely to receive certain scholarships. The SAT also affects class placement. Higher placement in classes makes it easier to graduate on time because you will have less prerequisites to get out of the way.
When do I take the SAT?
You will take the SAT for the first time during April of your Junior Year. This testing session is free AND you get 4 free score reports to send to the colleges of your choice. Be sure to study for it so that you don't have to take it again! If you do want to take it again during your Junior or Senior year, you can register for a retake! These retakes occur on Saturday mornings. There are usually retake dates in March, May, June, August, September, October, November, and December, but it can vary from year to year. If you'd like to view this year's test dates, click here!
How do I Register to Retake the SAT?
You have to register to retake the SAT about a month before the test date, so it's something to start thinking about early! You can register to retake the SAT through your CollegeBoard account. The SAT costs about $65 to retake with the essay portion and about $50 to retake without the essay portion. Most colleges don't care about the essay portion, so I recommend skipping the essay portion and saving yourself the $15! If you are on free or reduced lunch, you do NOT have to pay to retake the SAT and can see your College Adviser or school counselor to get a fee waiver.
What Can I do to Study for the SAT?
Khan Academy has tons of free resources, including full practice tests! Their test prep is also official through CollegeBoard, so they will be sure to prepare you for what's actually on the test. You can also link your CollegeBoard account to your Khan Academy account to get personalized test prep based on your previous test scores! Khan Academy is by far the best resource available, especially among free resources. There are other places you can go for test prep, but most will cost money (like Kaplan, for example).
How do I Send my SAT Scores to Colleges?
You get four free score sends with each SAT test. If you need to send your scores anywhere else, you will need to log into your College Board account, select the test whose scores you want to send, select the colleges you want to send your scores to, and then pay to send the scores. It costs $12 to send each score, so be sure the school actually needs them before they're sent! If you're on free or reduced lunch, you do not need to pay this fee and will need to see your College Adviser for a fee waiver.