8 McGRAW-HILL’S SAT
And what if you don’tdo well? If a college doesn’t
require them, don’t submit them. Remember, you
control when and if your SAT scores are submitted to
the colleges.
Take any SAT Subject Test when the subject
material is fresh in your mind. For most students, this
is in June, just as courses are finishing up. However,
Test Dates Test Test Dates TestOctober 9, 2010 SAT & Subject Tests March 12, 2011 SAT only
November 6, 2010 SAT & Subject Tests May 7, 2011 SAT & Subject Tests
December 4, 2010 SAT & Subject Tests June 4, 2011 SAT & Subject Tests
January 22, 2011 SAT & Subject Tests* These test dates are subject to change. For the latest updates on the test dates and registration deadlines, go to the College
Board website, http://www.collegeboard.com.SAT Test Dates 2010–2011*
How Do I Register for the SATs?
Check the College BoardWeb site, http://www.college-
board.com, for the most up-to-date information about
registration, test sites, deadlines, fees, and procedures
for applying for special testing accommodations. You
can also pick up a Registration Bulletin in your
school’s guidance office, which will give you all of the
information you need.
What Is a Good SAT Score?
It all depends on what colleges you are applying to.
Each of the three SAT sections—Critical Reading,
Math, and Writing—is scored on a scale from 200 to
- The median (50th percentile) score for each sec-
tion is usually between 490 and 530. At the most com-
petitive colleges, like those in the Ivy League, the
average SAT score is above 700 on each section. Of
course, only about 5% of students are in that category.
Go to the Web sites of those colleges that interest
you (or look up their data in one of those big college
guides in your local library) and look for their “quar-
tile SAT scores.” These are scores for the 25th per-
centile, the 50th percentile, and the 75th percentile of
incoming freshmen. For instance, if the quartile
scores for SAT math for a college are 480-550-650,
then 25% of the incoming class scored below 480 on
the math SAT, 50% scored below 550, and 75% scored
below 650. These numbers give you a good idea of
how your scores compare with those of other students
who have been admitted.
Should I Guess If I Don’t Know the Answer
to a Question?
In general, random guessing probably won’t help, but
educated guessing probably will. If you can eliminate
at least two choices, make your best guess. Although
wrong answers on multiple-choice questions deduct(^1) / 4 point from your raw score, there is no penalty on
“grid-in” math questions. So, if you have any kind of
guess, fill it in.
Can I Get Extra Time on the SAT?
Only if you really need it. Some students with special
needs can qualify to take the SAT with accommoda-
tions such as extended time. But take note: these are
available only to students with professional recom-
mendations. If you’re thinking it would just be nice
to have extra time to think things over, tough luck.
Surprisingly, extra time actually hurts many students,
because it causes them to lose focus. If you have been
diagnosed as having special testing needs by a quali-
fied psychologist and feel that you would benefit
from special accommodations, talk to your guidance
counselor about how to register, or go to the College
Board Web site.
When Will I Get My Scores?
You can get your SAT scores by phone or on the Web
between two and three weeks after you take the test.
About ten days after your scores are available online a
written report will be mailed to you free of charge. Any
schools you send your scores to will receive them by
if you are taking AP exams in May, you might prefer
to take the SAT Subject Tests in May, also.
Learn which SAT Subject Tests your colleges
require, and try to complete them by June of your
junior year. You can take up to three SAT Subject
Tests on any test date. Here are the upcoming test
dates for 2010–2011: