The Complete Guide for International SAT/ACT Test Takers
If you are an Indian (NRI) student then before you appear for the SAT exam you should be aware of all the nitty-gritty details. Taking informed actions is any day better than working in a haphazard manner.
Why SAT is Needed?
Most of the 4-year colleges as well as universities require a student to take the SAT exam. These exams basically determine the level of students' knowledge as well as reasoning skills. The curriculum and learning vary from school to school. SAT exam ropes in the sense of uniformity as it ensures that students possess vital critical thinking and reasoning skills that are needed in order to perform well in college.
If a student attains a certain score in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of SAT the colleges also waive the IELTS/ TOEFL requirement which is a must if English is not the native language of the student.
Difference Between SAT and ACT
A student should opt for a test in which he or she can get a better score. This depends hugely on the student's educational background, personal interests, and academic strengths. Usually, students score better in the math section of the exams as compared to the verbal section.
SAT is any day more popular than ACT amongst international students but it might not be a good option in case you have a strong base in Science and Math. The ACT exam has a science section and it also tests advanced Math concepts, so appearing for the ACT will no doubt be a better choice. You can try the sample test and then make up your mind as to which is better for you.
All About SAT Test
The SAT exam has four key sections- Reading, Writing, Math (with a calculator), and Math (without a calculator). There is an additional section of the Essay which is not compulsory.
Most of the Indian/NRI students choose to appear for SAT. The main reason is that now the verbal section counts for half of your exam score. This means that for students for whom English is not the first language there is decreased emphasis on Reading and Writing.
Secondly, SAT does not include obscure vocabulary words which can be a challenge for non-native English speakers. The sentence completion task is now been eliminated. Common words are used which has made this exam so much easier. In all three sections, there is extensive use of Tables, Graphs, and Charts so in case you are good at interpreting data this test is ideal for you.
Why do some International Students Avoid SAT?
Some students avoid SAT as there are few colleges that require the students to take SAT along with one or more SAT Subject Tests. This involves a lot of hard work and effort on part of the student. And if the student takes the ACT he will have to prepare for just one test.
Also, SAT lays a lot of focus on reading comprehension in all the sections. Even in the Math questions, students face problems based on real-world scenarios. This can pose a challenge for a lot of students as they might not be able to relate to the same. So the best option is that students should appear for sample practice tests of both exams and then makeup or their mind about which one to go in for.
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