The SAT is a 3-hour college admissions exam. The College Board has announced that the SAT will transition to a digital test in March 2024 in the U.S. and in March 2023 in other countries.
Our SAT Tutoring Program
Our educational approach to SAT preparation teaches the core concepts in critical reading, writing, grammar, and math required for solving the types of problems that recur on the test. We believe that preparing for standardized tests should not only improve scores but also equip students with the tools for enhanced performance across all their academic work.
Through rigorous, long-term preparation, we emphasize learning the material thoroughly and thinking critically about every question. Weekly meetings, assignments, and full-length, proctored practice tests help our students develop a deeper understanding of concepts and refine their problem-solving techniques.
Contact us to speak to a program consultant to discuss your goals and set up a diagnostic SAT.
Program Length
The precise length of our SAT program is tailored to the individual student based on multiple factors, including:
- the student's tutoring needs
- when the student begins working with us
- the student's goals
- the number of meetings the student has with the tutor each week
- the date the student plans to take the official test
We strongly recommend that a student plan to work with a tutor for an academic year or more to cover the material at a reasonable pace.
Reading
Our Reading materials help students learn to extract essential information from a given text. We have developed a series of vocabulary-in-context word lists representing the high-utility academic words and phrases that are specifically tested on the SAT. Students become more attuned to the significance of word choice and more adept at discerning an author's meaning—essential skills that remain useful as students continue their academic and professional careers.
Writing & Language
Students master fundamental principles of grammar while developing a critical eye for spotting errors. They acquire skills that help them improve their accuracy on the SAT Writing & Language Test and also identify and correct errors in their own writing, both on the SAT and in their schoolwork.
Math
Our Math materials identify the mathematical terms and recurring math question types in algebra, problem solving and data analysis, and other math topics. Students will practice these concepts in targeted math worksheets, problem sets, and summary reviews.
Should students take the SAT or the ACT?
All major colleges accept the SAT and the ACT with equal preference. When deciding whether to take the SAT or the ACT, students should not speculate. Diagnostic testing and routine practice will dictate which test is best suited for the individual student.
We generally recommend that students complete a few months of tutoring before selecting to prepare for either the SAT or ACT. During this period, each student should take an SAT and an ACT diagnostic test. The results of the diagnostics in addition the student’s preferences and goals will help us advise an appropriate test regimen.
In the first few months of the program, our tutors focus on imparting the core material—including math concepts, grammar rules, and reading skills—relevant to both the SAT and the ACT. After deciding which test better suits each student’s goals and abilities, our tutors will incorporate materials specific to the student's chosen test and develop a rigorous practice test schedule.
What are the differences between the SAT and the ACT?
The ACT and the SAT are both prominent college admissions tests. Both assess the educational development of high school students and the ability to perform college level work. However, the ACT and the SAT are different educational instruments with different emphases.
|
|
SAT |
ACT |
|
Scoring |
400–1600 composite scale |
1–36 composite scale |
|
Test Length |
3 hours |
2 hours and 55 minutes + 40-minute optional essay |
|
Reading |
52 questions in 65 minutes Passage-based reading comprehension Informational graphics included |
40 questions in 35 minutes Passage-based reading comprehension |
|
English |
44 questions in 35 minutes Passage-based testing of grammar, usage, syntax, rhetoric, & punctuation Informational graphics included |
75 questions in 45 minutes Passage-based testing of grammar, usage, syntax, rhetoric, & punctuation |
|
Math |
No Calculator Section: 20 questions in 25 minutes (including 5 grid-in questions) Calculator Section: 38 questions in 55 minutes (including 8 grid-in questions) Trigonometry, radians, volumes, complex numbers, congruence & similarity, simple rational expressions, higher order equations, circle-related topics Emphasis on algebra, problem solving and data analysis, and certain advanced math topics |
60 questions in 60 minutes Can used approved calculator All multiple choice Arithmetic, algebra I & II, planar and coordinate geometry, trigonometry and precalculus including functions, conic sections, combinations & permutations, logarithms, and matrices |
|
Science |
No Science Section Science questions throughout the Reading, Writing & Language, and Math Tests |
40 Questions in 35 minutes Interpretation and application of scientific data presented in tables, pie charts, bar graphs, scatter plots, etc. |
|
Essay |
No essay |
40 minutes Optional Writing and composition, analysis and development of an argument 4 scores:
|
|
Other |
No penalty for incorrect answers |
No penalty for incorrect answers |
How do SAT and ACT scores compare?
Concordance tools and tables are provided on the official SAT website.
|
Section |
Number of Questions |
Minutes per Section |
Content |
|
Reading Test |
52 Questions |
65 Minutes |
Passage-based reading comprehension across a range of subject matter |
|
Writing & Language Test |
44 Questions |
35 Minutes |
Passage-based grammatical and syntactical principles and idiomatic expression |
|
Math Test—No Calculator |
20 Questions
|
25 Minutes |
Emphasis on algebra, problem solving and data analysis, and certain advanced math topics |
|
Math Test—Calculator |
38 Questions
|
55 Minutes |
Download SAT Format and Timing as a PDF.
The above information refers to the paper-and-pencil version of the test that will be administered until March 2024 in the U.S. The digital test offered in March 2024 will have a different format.
How is the SAT Scored?
- One Total Score, scaled from 400–1600, reflecting the student’s overall performance.
- Two Section Scores, scaled from 200–800:
- Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (comprising the Reading Test and the Writing & Language Test)
- Math (comprising the two Math Tests)
- Three Test Scores, scaled from 10–40:
- The Reading Test
- The Writing & Language Test
- The Math Test
- Two Cross-Test Scores, scaled from 10–40. Some passages in the Reading and Writing & Language Tests and some problems in the Math Tests are based upon Science, History, and Social Studies. Questions from these passages and problems figure in the following two Cross-Test Scores:
- Analysis in Science
- Analysis in History/Social Studies
- Seven Subscores, scaled from 1–15.
- Drawn from questions in the Reading Test and the Writing & Language Test:
- Words in Context
- Command of Evidence
- Drawn from questions in the Writing & Language Test:
- Expression of Ideas
- Standard English Conventions
- Drawn from questions in the Math Tests:
- Heart of Algebra
- Problem Solving & Data Analysis
- Passport to Advanced Math
Note that a single question on the SAT can figure into several distinct scoring categories. For example, a correct answer on vocabulary-based question from a Science passage in the Writing & Language Test would be calculated into the Evidenced-Based Reading & Writing Score, the Writing & Language Test Score, the Analysis in Science Cross-Test Score, and the Words in Context Subscore.
When is the SAT Taken?
Most of our students take the SAT in the spring of their junior year and retake it in the fall of their senior year.
The SAT is offered seven times per academic year, usually in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. International test dates may vary.
Upcoming SAT Dates and Registration Deadlines
|
Test Date |
Registration Deadline |
Late Registration Deadline |
Accommodations Request Deadline |
|
November 5, 2022 |
October 7, 2022 |
October 25, 2022 |
September 16, 2022 |
|
December 3, 2022 |
November 3, 2022 |
November 22, 2022 |
October 14, 2022 |
|
March 11, 2023 |
February 10, 2023 |
February 28, 2023 |
January 20, 2023 |
|
May 6, 2023 |
April 7, 2023 |
April 25, 2023 |
March 17, 2023 |
|
June 3, 2023 |
May 4, 2023 |
May 23, 2023 |
April 14, 2023 |
To download this information as a PDF, click here.
For information about international testing, click here.
Tutors in Washington DC
Tutor of: SAT, ACT, LSAT, GMAT, GRE, SSAT, ISEE; and more
A.B. in Physics from Brown University.
National US History Bee Finalist; National History Bowl Best Solo Team; National Merit Scholar; National AP Scholar.
Tutor of: SAT, ACT, LSAT, GMAT, GRE, SSAT, ISEE, Bar Exam; and more
J.D. from Yale Law School.
M.F.A. from University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.
B.A./B.S. in English and Film & Television from Boston University.
Mary Pickford Scholar; Phi Beta Kappa; Boston University Trustee Scholar; Florida Keys Emerging Playwright; Kodak Film Scholar.
Tutor of: SAT, ACT, LSAT, GMAT, GRE, SSAT, ISEE; and more
M.B.A. in Marketing and Strategic Planning from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Sc.B. in Applied Mathematics and Economics from Brown University.
Director of Advantage Testing of Washington D.C.