SAT -- Handy tips for the Test Day

Preparing for the SAT exam had taken great amount of hard work from your end for months. And finally the big day has arrived when you are to sit for the exam. Here are few useful tips that can help you get through the test day well:

Rest Well the Night Before the Test Day: If you are planning to skip a good night’s sleep to have a last minute look at the SAT study materials, then think once again! Because skipping your sleep or cutting down on sleep hours will not guarantee you a good score. Stick to a study plan and practice regularly for better performance at the score. Be on Time: Plan your trip to the test center well ahead in time, at least 30 minutes before the test start time. If you happen to be unsure of the route to the testing station, make sure you know the route and estimated time to reach the destination beforehand. Also keep a note of your time when you take breaks. What you must Bring?

• Admission Ticket
• Two pencils and an eraser
• Photo Identification
• An acceptable calculator e.g. Graphing calculators and Scientific calculators (not permitted -- laptop, electronic writing pad, pocket organizer, mobile phone calculator etc.)

ID Requirements: It is important to keep yourself updated with Test Taker’s Identification Requirements and Policies well in advance before the scheduled test day. All identifying information provided by you during registration including your photograph, will be displayed on your Admission Ticket. Acceptable Identification Documents:

• Valid (unexpired) government-issued photo ID or school (current) issued identity proof
• Must be an original document (Photocopies not accepted)
• Your name must be exactly match with the details in the Admission Ticket, even the order of your name should be same
• Carry a recent photo that clearly matches your appearance in the test day and the photo on your Admission Ticket
• The Talent Search Identification Forms must bear an original student/parent signature

Examples of Acceptable ID include:

• Government-issued driver’s license or non-driver ID card
• Student identification card issued from your current school
• Passport
• Government-issued military or national identification card
• Talent Search Identification Forms (allowed for 8^th Grade and below)
• SAT Student ID Form (must be prepared by your current school or notary, if homeschooled)

Examples of Unacceptable ID include:

• Documents that are tampered with or digitally altered
• Documents that doesn’t meet the requirements
• Documents that bears a statement e.g. ‘not valid as identification’
• Birth certificate
• Employee ID card
• Any temporary ID card
• Missing Child (‘ChildFind’) ID card
• Credit/Debit card even with photograph
• Documents that is worn, torn, scarred or otherwise damaged

Accepted Identification in India: A valid passport with your name, photograph and signature. There are no exceptions to this rule. What not to bring? Using mobile phones and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited at SAT testing center. The following are not allowed at SAT test centers:

• Cell phones/smartphones
• iPods/other MP3 players
• iPads/other tablet devices
• Cameras/other photographic devices
• Separate timers of any type
• Audio/video recording devices
• Personal computing devices -- laptops, PDAs and notebooks

Good to have:

• A watch without alarm clock
• A backpack/bag
• A drink/snacks for your break
• Extra batteries/backup equipment

Test Duration: The SAT exam lasts for 3 hours and 45 minutes and is divided in the following 10 sections:

• Essay -- A 25 minute essay section
• Mathematics, critical reading and writing -- Six 25-minute sections
• Mathematics, critical reading and writing -- Two 20-minute sections
• Multiple choice writing section -- A 10-minute section

Never Think of Cheating: Scoring well in the SAT exam is every test taker’s dream. However, that doesn’t mean you should try to score higher by cheating. And there is no guarantee of the correctness of the answers you are copying from the other candidate. Colleges are definitely looking for students with better score but in addition to good marks, they are also looking for students with integrity and character. So never ever think of cheating at the SAT exam.