What is the SAT?
The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is administered by the College Board. It’s a crucial indicator for high-school students around the world applying to U.S. universities, and scholarship applications also consider SAT scores. You can think of it as the U.S. counterpart to a university entrance exam.
SAT Exam Scructure
Since 2023, all international test centers have fully switched to the Digital SAT. The exam consists of two sections: Reading and Writing and Math. The total testing time is 2 hours 14 minutes—64 minutes for Reading and Writing and 70 minutes for Math.
The SAT covers Math and Reading and Writing.
Each section is scored out of 800, for a total score of 1600.
- The Math section has 58 questions over 80 minutes, covering algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and data analysis.
- The Reading and Writing portion includes 52 reading questions and 44 writing questions over 80 minutes, with about nine passages (some with charts/graphics) drawn from business, history, literature, sociology, science, and the humanities.
| Sections | Time | |
|---|---|---|
| Test length | 32 mins + 32 mins = 64 mins | 35 mins + 35 mins = 70 mins |
| Question types | 54 short passages + 54 single-choice (incl. questions with charts) | 33 multiple-choice + 11 student-produced responses (“grid-ins”) |
| Calculator | — | Built-in calculator in the test app; you may also bring your own calculator |
| Score | 800 | 800 |
How Should I Prepare for the SAT?
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Students can approach SAT prep on two tracks—short-term and long-term:
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Short-term prep: Do many official practice tests to get familiar with the format and question types. Schedule full-length mock exams to assess your time management so you can finish on time on test day.
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Long-term prep: In addition to improving overall English proficiency, build your vocabulary. The SAT typically assumes a vocabulary of about 12,000–15,000 words, while many Taiwanese high-school students have around 5,000, which is a common weak point. Also increase your reading volume—choose novels and poetry recommended by official sources—to strengthen reading and critical-thinking skills.
Do I Have to Take the SAT
Not necessarily. Unless you plan to attend college, you don’t need to take the SAT (or ACT). Most U.S. universities require SAT scores. Your standardized test score is likely the first thing admissions officers see in your application, which means that if your score is at or above the school’s median (50th percentile), you’ll have a better chance of being seriously considered by your dream school, given the scores of students they admit.
When should I start preparing?
At Fendodo, we recommend beginning as early as 10th grade and planning your first attempt then—“testing the waters,” getting familiar with the format, gauging your initial level, and identifying strengths and weaknesses.
The goal is to achieve your target SAT score before the summer between 11th and 12th grade, because once that summer starts, you’ll be entering the intense phase of college applications.
Test-date planning is closely tied to overall application strategy. To tailor a plan to your situation, we suggest discussing specifics with your study-abroad advising counselor.
