Standardized College Admissions Tests
SAT by Category | New SAT (From May 30, 2016) |
Scoring |
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Structure |
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Timing | 3 hours: 3 hours 50 minutes with optional essay |
Administration |
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Math |
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Reading and Writing |
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Essay |
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For further insight into the SAT changes, we suggest you have a look at this New York Times article.
*While our advisors are thorough in our research and provide the information above as a helpful guide, we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. Please confirm information about the SAT with College Board and the US university you are applying to.
SAT Subject Test
Math Level 1
Tests: Algebra, geometry, basic trigonometry, Algebraic functions, elementary statistics, logic, elementary number theory, and arithmetic and geometric sequences.
Math Level 2
Tests: Algebra, three-dimensional and coordinate geometry, Trigonometry, functions, probability, permutations, combinations, logic, proofs, elementary number theory, sequences, and limits.
Biology
Tests: Understanding of general biology at the college preparatory level, recall and comprehension of the major concepts of biology, and the ability to apply the principles learned to solve specific problems in biology.
Chemistry
Tests: Ability to organize and interpret results obtained by observation and experimentation. The test also assesses aptitude for drawing conclusions and/or making inferences using experimental data, including data presented in graphic and/or tabular form.
Physics
Tests: Ability to solve specific problems with the application of physical principles. The test also assesses understanding of simple algebraic, trigonometric, and graphical relationships, the concepts of ratio and proportion, and how to apply these concepts to physics problems.
U.S. History
Tests: Familiarity with historical concepts, cause-and-effect relationships, geography, and other data necessary for interpreting and understanding major historical developments in U.S. History.
World History
Tests: Understanding of key developments in global history, use of basic historical techniques and terminology, and aptitude for the critical analysis and interpretation of documented events.
English Literature
Tests: How well one can read and interpret literature. Questions focus on issues of theme, argument, tone, etc.
The ACT
The ACT* is a very popularly taken college entrance exam in the United States. Its main motive is to test the knowledge acquired via the curriculum of high school and the ability to apply that knowledge, so its not just stuffing the content of that high school book in your brains. Some U.S. states it is an important criterion to take the ACT before graduating. Colleges and universities consider your ACT scores, along with other factors like high school GPA, extracurricular activities, personal statements, and interviews, when making admissions decisions.
The ACT tests four subject areas namely English, Math, Reading, and Science, plus an optional Writing test which is mandatory for some colleges like University of California. All 215 questions are multiple-choice, with the exception of the Writing test, which consists of a 30-minute essay response to a single prompt. The ACT takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete, and an additional 30 minutes for those who are willing to take the Writing test. A separate score is reported on a scale of 1-36 for each of the four subject area tests. (Your writing test sub score will be included in your English score.) Your composite ACT score will be a number from 1-36, an average of your scores on all four tests.
The ACT is administered by ACT, Inc. and is conducted each year in February, April, June, September, October, and December. Many students prefer taking the test in the spring of their junior year and/or the fall of their senior year of high school, but the time when you choose to take the exam is really a subjective thing and should be based on your own individual circumstances. ACT results are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the United States.
Registration deadlines tend to fall about five weeks before each test date, and you can register to take the ACT online.
TOEFL
The TOEFL is an English language proficiency test used worldwide for academics, employment, and visa applications. It is administered by US-based ETS, and is the preferred/required test of most universities in the United States. There are many different types of TOEFL, but students should take iBT (internet based test), if they are willing to apply to colleges. The test is in English and is taken on the Internet. There are four sections (listening, reading, speaking and writing) which take a total of about four and a half hours to complete.
The test is held multiple times a month, and registration is encouraged well ahead of time. You can explore more with ProEd, the premier education and career consultancy in Dubai, and register online at TOEFL to take the test.
IELTS
The IELTS exam, administered by the British Council and CES, is an English proficiency test accepted all over. It is a compulsory for students planning on attending a school in the UK, however it is accepted by some universities in other places of the world too Students can register at an IELTS certified center or online at https://ielts.britishcouncil.org/UAE
All IELTS candidates must complete 4 modules:
Listening | 30 mins | 4 sections | 40 items |
Reading Academic / Reading General Training | 60 mins | 3 sections | 40 items |
Writing Academic / Writing General Training | 60 mins | 2 tasks | 150 & 250 words per task |
Speaking | 11-14 mins | – | – |
Total test time | 2 hours 45 mins | – | – |
Verbal Reasoning | 44 items | 22 minutes | 28 minutes |
Quantitative Reasoning | 36 items | 25 minutes | 31.5 minutes |
Abstract Reasoning | 55 items | 14 minutes | 17.5 minutes |
Decision Analysis | 28 items | 32 minutes | 39 minutes |
Situational Judgement | 67 items | 27 minutes | 34 minutes |
Total Time | 120 minutes | 150 minutes |
BMAT
The British Medical Admissions Test (BMAT) is a science-based medical admissions test required by 5 schools in the UK for admission to their 5 year MBBS program. It is a subject-specific admissions test for applicants to medicine, veterinary medicine and similar courses at universities.
The BMAT is a 2-hour, pen-and-paper test divided into three sections. It does not require a lot of extra study as it is a test of skills and knowledge that learners are expected to have already. The BMAT is owned and administered by the Admissions Testing Service.
How is the BMAT scored?
Questions in Sections 1 and 2 are worth 1 mark each. Total raw marks for each section are converted to the BMAT scale, which runs from 1 (low) to 9 (high). Typical BMAT candidates will score around 5.0, roughly half marks. The best candidates will score around 6.0, and a few exceptional candidates will score higher than 7.0.
Writing Tasks in Section 3 are marked by two examiners. Each examiner gives two scores, one for the quality of content (on a scale of 0-5), and one for quality of written English (on the scale A, C, E).
Combining the scores for Section 3: If the two marks for content are the same or no more than one mark apart, the candidate gets the average of the two marks. If the two marks for written English are the same or no more than one mark apart, the scores are combined like this: AA = A, AC = B, CC = C, CE = D and EE = E.
For example, a writing task given a 4C by one examiner and 4A by the other will get a final score of 4B. A writing task given 3C by one examiner and 2C by the other will receive a mark of 2.5C.
If there is a larger discrepancy in the marks, the writing tasks are marked for a third time and the final mark is checked by the Senior Assessment Manager.