Study in the United States of America

Attention

This is purely an unofficial and non-profit venture to help people in doubt. I am an individual, unaffiliated with any organization promoting education in the U.S.

Tests– The SAT and TOEFL

SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)

The SAT is an easy to medium difficulty test containing three sections. It is conducted by the College Board.

1. Verbal

2. Writing (With Essay)

3. Math

 

Barring the essay, it is a wholly multiple choice test with each question having five choices. A correct answer fetches you a point as a wrong one costs you a third. Questions left unmarked are granted zero. The final score is called Raw Score, which is converted to a kind of graded score called the scaled score. The entire test is out of 2,400 where any score above 2,000 is deemed outstanding and is extremely beneficial in winning scholarships. The Raw score of the essay is calculated as the sum of the points received from two expert readers, each awarding points out of 6.0. While the Mathematics section is fairly easy, the writing section may throw in a few surprises and the Verbal section is quite challenging.

The SAT is important for scholarship decision for entering students in many cases, so, make the most of it. The duration of the test is three hours and forty five minutes and hence, needs a lot of mental endurance and concentration.

References: Barron’s SAT I, The Official SAT Study Guide (An excellent book available with the College Board)

 

 

 

 

 

TOEFL (Test of English as a foreign language)

The TOEFL is held along with another incorporated test called TWE (Test of Written English), where a topic for essay is provided. They are conducted by the ETS. The essay is graded on a six pointer scale with 6.0 being the highest. The TOEFL is also a multiple choice test, but sans negative marking, i.e. you won’t be punished for attempting and being wrong.

An interesting part of the test is, of course, the listen comprehension section which is quite as simple as it may require concentration. While careful listening will grant you full points, you don’t want to be caught napping on this.

The questions in TOEFL test grammar and sometimes, ability to understand American slang. It also has reading-comprehension sections. The TOEFL should be good for someone who has a good command over English. The duration of the TOEFL is also up to, at most,  four hours and hence, needs undaunted concentration.

References: The study materials mailed to you will suffice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAT Subject Tests (SAT II)

This is another very important test conducted by the College Board. It aims at proving your proficiency in individual subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, math etc. It is also an online-registry test and can be done at the official College Board website. Details about the subjects can be found at the same site.

The SAT Subject Test is an hour long examination, also multiple choice and graded the same way as the SAT I. It’s maximum scaled score is 800.

Many top level and world acclaimed colleges like the Stanford, Princeton, MIT, Harvard, Cornell etc. have made multiple SAT II tests mandatory. They also provide what subjects you must take (details can be found at the official websites of the respective universities or the College Board College finder in your account homepage).

Other middle level universities respect high SAT II scores, if not mandatory and your chances of admission are further enhanced in these colleges if you have taken  SAT Subject Test(s). Taking a SAT Subject Test even if you’re going for a university that doesn’t consider it compulsory can be of huge advantage. This advantage can be enhanced by taking multiple SAT Subject Tests (related to your major of course) and augmented further if your scores are high.

References: Barron’s SAT II, Real SAT II Subject Tests (A College Board official publication)

 

Note! Timing is EXTREMELY important in these tests and each section of the test is allotted only a limited period to work on. Once done, you must not go back to check previous sections, but may check the section you have completed. You may advance only if the supervisor permits you to. If you fail to complete the section within the stipulated time, no extra time will be given to do the same.

 

 

General Information