THE SAT is mostly optional for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle but you should take it anyway

Here is a list of colleges that made the SAT optional because of the pandemic.  

Though if you are highly motivated, you should probably take it straight out of the maternity ward. 

But 2-3 times is the norm.

Official practice tests are free and widely available (see below) so start studying early!  Soak in the boring passages. Nose around the math section. Once you reach 10th grade, you should devote a solid 3-4 months to test prep. 

That's 5 minutes longer than the taco and about the length of Gone with the Wind. Should you really be taking the SAT? It's a lot to think about. 

• Reading Test: 52 Questions in 65 minutes
• Writing and Language: 44 Questions in 35 minutes
• Math (No Calculator): 20 Questions in 25 minutes
• Math (Calculator): 38 Questions in 55 minutes

One 10-minute break and one 5 minute break. Unfortunately these are also your only snacking windows. You only have the allotted times (above) to finish each section but there aren't huge official "breaks" between sections. 

This is your only scrap paper. But that's a lot of paper! Underline sentences. Mark up geometry figures. Do long division and algebra all over this thing. It won't be graded. It won't even be seen. 

There are two major sections: 

• Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (200-800) 
• Math (200-800). 

Here is a sample score report.  

Here is a PDF about understanding your score report.

What's a good score? This is hard to say objectively since everyone has different goals. Here are the 2020 percentile breakdowns for the last three graduating classes that took the SAT:

• 1520-1600 -- 99th+ percentile
• 1450 -- 96th percentile 
• 1350 -- 90th percentile
• 1290 -- 85th percentile
• 1170 --70th percentile
• 1110 -- 61st percentile 
• 1050 -- 50th percentile 

Sadly there isn't an "easier" testing date.

The SAT essay was discontinued after the June 2021 exam

Technically they it Score Choice. But who cares about the name. Superscoring means you can pick your best section scores from different tests and combine them send colleges your highest possible score!  

Here's an example:
Test 1: 530 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing  || 600 Math score: 1130
Test 2: 580 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing  || 590 Math score: 1170

You can send colleges the two highest scores! 

580 Evidence-Based Writing (Test 2) + 600 Math (Test 1) = 1180

Leave nothing blank! The SAT used to have a "guessing penalty" (which is why this question arises for every standardized test) but that was removed in 2016.

Right here! The best practice tests are the ones put out by The College Board since they write the test. It's as close to the real thing as you can get.  Here are a bunch!

• Practice Test 1  |  Practice Test 1 Answer Explanations
• Practice Test 2  |  Practice Test 2 Answer Explanations
• Practice Test 3  |  Practice Test 3 Answer Explanations
• Practice Test 5  |  Practice Test 5 Answer Explanations
• Practice Test 6  |  Practice Test 6 Answer Explanations
• Practice Test 7  |  Practice Test 7 Answer Explanations
• Practice Test 8  |  Practice Test 8 Answer Explanations 
• Practice Test 9  |  Practice Test 9 Answer Explanations 
• Practice Test 10  | Practice Test 10 Answer Explanations

To Get Your Reading Score (200-800):

Count the number of correct answers on your Reading section. This is your Reading Raw Score (0-52). Then count the number correct on your Writing and Language section. That is your Writing and Language Raw Score (0-44) . Use the chart on page 7 of the PDF below to convert each raw score to a Test Score (10-40) for each section. Add the two test scores together, multiply that number by 10, and you have your official reading score (200-800).

To Get Your Math Score (200-800:

Count the number of correct answers on your no-calculator section. This is your No Calculator Raw Score (0-20). Count the number of correct answers on your calculator section. This is your Calculator Raw Score (0-38). Add these two numbers together to get a Raw Math Score (0-58). Use the chart on page 7 of the PDF below to convert this raw score to a Math Section Score (200-800).
Or ignore all of that and just follow the directions on this link:

• Scoring your Practice Test (Note: Even though this says Scoring Your Practice Test 1, the rubric is applicable to all practice tests. The answers to each test are linked abov

Probably because of some heavy campaigning by the Ticonderoga pencil lobby.

Don't dabble and study for both. Figure out which test you prefer and put all of your effort into that one!

Here are resources from The College Board about submitting a request for extended time.

Check out the Test Dates and Registration Deadlines and register here!