Students can apply to some colleges using the Common Application. With a few exceptions, most undergraduate colleges and universities maintain the policy that students are to be admitted to (or rejected from) the entire college, not to a particular department or major. (This is unlike college admissions in many European countries, as well as graduate admissions.)
Students can apply to some colleges using the Common Application. With a few exceptions, most undergraduate colleges and universities maintain the policy that students are to be admitted to (or rejected from) the entire college, not to a particular department or major. (This is unlike college admissions in many European countries, as well as graduate admissions.) Some students, rather than being rejected, are “wait-listed” for a particular college and may be admitted if another student who was admitted decides not to attend the college or university. The five major parts of admission are ACT/SAT scores, grade point average, college application, essay, and letters of recommendation. The SAT’s usefulness in the admissions process is controversial.[149] Each state has its own set of residency laws and requirements that dictate educational benefits as a reward for state residence. As a result, public colleges and universities in many states charge out-of-state applicants a higher rate of tuition than resident students must pay.[150]
In the year 2016, major changes were made in the SAT examination format and pattern and it converted to the New SAT. Though the basic eligibility and maxim of the exam are the same, a lot of the other things, including the subject names, examination duration and valuation pattern has been changed in the New SAT.
Where the old SAT exam contained sections of critical reading, writing and Mathematics, the new SAT exam contains sections of evidence-based reading & writing and Mathematics. There is also an essay section in the examination, but it is optional for the applicants. We would suggest you appear for the essay section of the examination too, as that can help you improve your SAT scores.
The time duration for the SAT has also been changed in the new SAT from 3 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours for the applicants not appearing for the essay section and 3 hours 50 minutes for the applicants appearing for the essay section. Besides this, the new SAT valuation system has also been changed, where the papers are now valued between a score range of 400-1600, in place of the old 600-2400 scale. Also, there is no marks penalty for wrong answers in the New SAT.
Even though there are no set SAT exam eligibility or age criteria for appearing in the SAT text, students usually appear for this examination after they have finished high school and have to admit for undergraduate courses. So, generally, students within the age group of 16-18 years take this test.
However, you must note that there is no set age limit for appearing in the examination. The applicants in the age group of 12 years or less are also eligible to apply for SAT, but by mail only. There is no upper age bar for the examination.
The SAT test registration only has one requirement and it is that you must have a valid original passport if you are appearing for the examination.
Registering for the SAT test is a very easy process and like most examination, for SAT too you have to apply online, except for some situations in which the applicants can apply by mail. Both the online and mail application process has been discussed below in brief.
Online registration:
1. You need to register online and create a profile on the College Board website.
2. You need to fill the complete SAT application form thoroughly on the website and
create a corresponding student profile for yourself.
3. Once all the personal and educational details filled, you need to select the test and
test centre for the examination.
4. Then you have to upload a clear photograph of yourself on the form.
5. After this, you have to pay the respective examination fee online and submit the
application.
6. After submission, once your examination admission ticket is available you only need
to print that for your examination.
This system of SAT application is available for candidates in the conditions, if the candidate is –
- 13 years or younger in age
- wants to request testing near their home
- are unable to upload a digital photograph
- Want to pay the examination fee by money order or check.
The registration process in these cases is as given below.
- You need to request SAT student registration booklet from your education counsellor or School board.
- You need to fill the application form for the SAT examination available in the booklet according to the guidelines given in the booklet.
- This filled application form along with the money order/check for the application fee of the examination should mailed to the address given on the booklet in a registration envelope.
