The Scholastic Aptitude Test is a test for pro­spective Bachelor’s degree applicants, and nor­mally needs to be taken in your last year in school. The SAT I is also these days used for admission decisions in many European uni­versities.

The few undergraduate scholarships offered to students of international origin are given solely on the basis of high scores on the SAT I.

Wrong answers attract penalty of one-fourth the points you would get for a correct answer. Most SAT I sections have multiple-choice ques­tions where you have five choices, and in each choice, there are four wrong answers as well as the correct one!

SAT preparation

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In this part of the world and in most other places, the most preferred prep book is Baron’s Guide to sat land the other option is SAT Success, both of which have Asian re­prints available in India, Nepal, China and Sri Lanka. The former is the most comprehensive and preferred the world over and reading it carefully and working out its practice tests with dedication is sufficient to land you a good SAT I score.

SAT I comprise the following sections:

1. Reading comprehension

2. Sentence completion

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3. Math problem solving

4. English usage

5. Verbal analogies

6. Quantitative comparison.

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After July, students from India and Bhutan can get their registration forms and information bulletin free of cost from:

IPEM

25-A Mahatma Gandhi Marg,

Allahabad – 211001, UP (India).

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The addresses of Educational Testing Service (ETS) representatives in other countries are listed at the end of this chapter (Table 5.1). You can write to them for a copy of the bulletin which provides answers to almost any question you may have. Read it up first, since telephon­ing ETS at their US office can be a very costly affair and they have only answering machines on the other end which will take up at least four minutes before you are linked to any “human help”.

SAT II: Subject tests

Unlike the SAT I who measures your verbal and quantitative skills, SAT II Subject Tests measure your knowledge and your ability to apply that knowledge in specific subject areas.

You can take up to three tests in any of these areas for a one-time registration fee which is equal to the current rate for SAT I.

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You can choose from among the following subject tests:

1. English writing

2. Math: Level 1

3. Math: Level 2

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4. Physics

5. Chemistry

6. Biology.

SAT II subject tests must be taken in case you are trying for an Ivy League institution like MIT or Stanford, etc. Good scores in these tests can greatly improve your overall chances of admis­sion, and also help in the little financial aid you can expect in the beginning.

Since the syllabus for SAT II Subject Tests is the same as that of the school twelfth standard, you may do well and boost your chances if you prepare sufficiently. SAT II tests are, however, not recommended if you are applying only to A- and B-category universities.