What is the SAT?

The SAT is a college-entrance assessment and is highly relevant to your future success by focusing on the skills and knowledge at the heart of education. It measures:

• What you learn in school
• What you need to succeed in college

What Does the SAT Test Look Like?

There are four parts to the SAT Test:

• Reading Test (65 minutes long, 52 multiple-choice questions)
  • When you take the Reading Test, you’ll read passages and interpret informational graphics. Then you’ll use what you’ve read to answer questions.  To succeed in college and career, you’ll need to apply reading skills in all sorts of subjects. Not coincidentally, you’ll also need those skills to do well on the Reading Test.
• Writing and Language Test (35 minutes long, 44 multiple-choice questions)
  • The Writing and Language Test puts students in the active role of an editor who is improving a written passage.  Most questions ask students to decide which, if any, of the three alternatives to an underlined part of a passage most improves it.
• Mathematics Test (80 minutes long total in 2 parts, 25 minute 20-question Non-Calculator portion with grid and multiple-choice questions, 55 minute 38-question Calculator portion with grid and multiple-choice questions)
  • The Math Test covers a range of math practices, with an emphasis on problem solving, modeling, using tools strategically, and using algebraic structure.  Instead of testing you on every math topic there is, the PSAT 10 asks you to use the math that you’ll rely on most in all sorts of situations. There will be questions about the geometry and trigonometry most relevant to college and career readiness. Questions on the Math Test are designed to mirror the problem solving and modeling you’ll do in:

• College math, science, and social science courses
• The jobs that you hold
• Your personal life

For instance, to answer some questions you’ll need to use several steps—because in the real world a single calculation is rarely enough to get the job done.

• SAT Essay Test (50 minutes long)
  • The SAT Essay is a lot like a typical college writing assignment in which you’re asked to analyze a text. It can show colleges that you’re ready to come to campus and write.  
  • What You’ll Do

• Read a passage.
• Explain how the author builds an argument to persuade an audience.
• Support your explanation with evidence from the passage.

How to Get Ready for the SAT

You don’t have to discover secret tricks or cram the night before.

The same habits and choices that lead to success in school will help you get ready for the SAT. The best way to prepare is to:

• Take challenging courses
• Do your homework
• Prepare for tests and quizzes
• Ask and answer lots of question
• Take SAT Prep (requirement of 11th graders at Hopkins High School)
• Practice on KhanAcademy.org – SAT Practice
• Look over previous tests and answers to grasp skills

In short, take charge of your education and learn as much as you can.

Test Day Checklist

There are only a few things you really need to bring on test day and a lot of things you’ll be better off leaving at home.

What to Bring:

• Two No. 2 pencils with erasers
• An approved calculator
• Home-schooled students must bring their SAT Student ID Form with them on testing day as identification.  Go to https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/sat-student-id-form.pdf for more information.  

What Not to Bring:

• Any devices, including digital watches, that can be used to record, transmit, receive, or play back audio, photographic, text, or video content (with the exception of CD players used for Language with Listening Subject Tests only)
• Audio players/recorders, tablets, laptops, notebooks, Google Glass, or any other personal computing devices
• iPods or other MP3 players
• iPads or other tablet devices
• Laptops, notebooks, PDAs or any other personal computing devices
• Any texting device
• Cameras or any other photographic equipment
• Separate timers of any type
• Protractors, compasses, rulers
• Highlighters, colored pens, colored pencils
• Pamphlets or papers of any kind
• Dictionaries or other books—there are no exceptions, even if English is not your first language
• Food or drinks (except for during breaks), unless approved by the College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities

Nice to Have:

• A watch (without an audible alarm)
• Extra batteries and backup equipment—you’ll have to ask for permission to access them. They cannot be on your desk during the test.
• Eat breakfast before you arrive (this is a long test – so eat a big big, healthy breakfast).  You will be provided with a drink and snack during the longer break, but make sure you are not starved when the test starts.

During the Test:

You will be allowed to have only these items on your desk:

• A test booklet
• An answer sheet
• No. 2 pencils with erasers
• An approved calculator—during one of the math sections only

Turn Off All Electronic Devices

You’ll need to turn off all electronic devices during the test and even during breaks. This includes cell phones. Be sure to turn off your watch alarm, if you have one.

Why? Test centers are serious about security and quiet, so prohibited devices—which include cellphones, tablets, and MP3 players—must be turned off and put under your desk. Better yet: leave them at home.

Really, Really Important

If You Bring or Use Prohibited Devices

The test administration staff is encouraged to collect and hold phones and other prohibited electronic devices during the test administration, including break periods, or to deny admission to anyone who is in possession of a prohibited electronic device.

If your device makes noise or you are seen using it at any time, including during breaks, you may be dismissed immediately, your scores can be canceled, and the device may be confiscated and its contents inspected. The College Board is not responsible for loss or damage to personal items, including electronic devices, while you are in the test center.

Grid Answers (on Mathematics Portion of Test)

Below is a sample of the instructions students will see on the test for how to fill in grid answers (for student knowledge).  All fractions should be simplified.

SAT Retake dates for SAT 2018-2019:

ONLY 11th GRADE STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT TESTED AT HOPKINS HIGH SCHOOL ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE SAT TEST ON THE STATEWIDE APRIL DATE.

All students interested in retaking the SAT test must log into their online College Board Account and then sign-up to take the SAT test on one of the dates listed above.  Locations for testing on these dates (not at Hopkins High School) will be listed on the College Board website and students can choose the site that is most convenient for them.  It is recommended that students login and register as soon as they know they want to retake the exam (in case location site slots fill up).

Cost – $64.50 when registering online

• an additional $15 if registering by phone
• An additional $29 if registering late
• An additional $29 if changing your location site

SAT Fee Waivers

To see if you are eligible for SAT fee waivers, please read through the following site for more information: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/fees/fee-waivers.

Sending Additional SAT Score Reports

Each student is allowed to submit their SAT scores to four institutions when taking each SAT test.  If they choose to send their scores to any additional institutions after the test date, they must log into their College Board Account and send their scores through the College Board site and not through the Hopkins High School office (for Score Reports the College Board charges $12 per institution beyond the initial free four given on testing day).

SAT Fee Waivers

To see if you are eligible for SAT fee waivers, please read through the following site for more information: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/fees/fee-waivers.