COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE SAT EXAMINATION
- Ishani Arora
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
You re-evaluate your marks not once, but infinite times, just to be sure, do you not? Then why believe in what people say about exams like the SAT, GMAT, and GRE? Why not re-evaluate these just like you do with your marks?
Well, to help you dispel all misconceptions and fact-check, Hello Study Global has brought you this blog.
WHAT IS SAT, and how is it conducted?
The SAT, or the Standardised Entrance Exam, is used mainly for undergraduate admissions. The SAT has 2 main sections for evaluation, with a time limit of 2 hours
The Writing & Reading
Mathematics (Calculators are allowed throughout)
Each section is scored out of 800, and the paper is conducted online. The good news is that there is no negative marking.
Now, that you know all about SAT, let’s focus on the common misconceptions people have about SAT and as the word of the mouth spreads, you might as well have these misconceptions
Misconceptions about SAT
SAT is an intelligence test.
Well, no it is not, it's a test of consistency and practice not innate intelligence. You must keep in mind that colleges also look at other factors like the personal essay’s, your participation in extracurricular activities and the Letter of Recommendations you submit.
SAT requires rote learning and is extremely difficult.
The exam focuses more on reading comprehension and mathematical tools like algebra, data analysis etc, so memorizing becomes useless. What makes SAT look hard is the time pressure and question style but, with practice this can be resolved,
If somebody tells you that certain test dates are easier, they are fooling you
The College Board equates scores across all test dates to ensure fairness, adjusting for difficulty through scaling. So test dates hardly make a difference.
SAT is about speed.
Speed is a part of the SAT, but not entirely what shapes it; precision and critical thinking become much more important.
SAT requires one month of preparation
Consistent, focused practice over time is more effective than long, infrequent study sessions; it is more about strategic learning than memory-based learning.
You can only take it once.
You can take the SAT exam multiple times; some colleges even consider your highest score. In fact, many students improve their scores by giving a second or third attempt. Some universities even consider your best section scores (superscoring).
Guessing will decrease your scores.
They DON’T! SAT has no negative marking; you can guess, as it’s always better to attempt every question rather than leave it blank.
It’s only for students applying to the USA
It’s not entirely true that many universities in the UK, Singapore, and India also accept SAT scores.
To Conclude
We must understand that it's time to break through the myths and, instead of fearing the exam, treat it as a challenge you can learn to master. With the right mindset, reliable resources, and a focused plan, the SAT becomes less of a barrier and more of an opportunity. Start your preparation by looking at not just the syllabus, but also the pattern of SAT, its PYQ’s and how over the course of time the exam has evolved. Remember, it’s not an intelligence test but a test of your analytical and critical thinking.
If you need more assistance and guidance, feel free to reach out to us at Hello Study Global
Can I take the SAT more than once?
Yes. You can take the SAT multiple times, and many universities consider your highest score or even superscore your best section-wise performance.
Is the SAT only useful for studying in the USA?
No. Apart from the US, many universities in countries like the UK, Singapore, and even some in India accept SAT scores.
What is a good SAT score?
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