Expert Guide: How Long Is the SAT?

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Posted by Halle Edwards | Jan 24, 2018 11:00:00 AM

SAT

Studying for the SAT isn’t just about practicing math problems and passage readingit's also an exercise in timing and pacing. The length of the SAT test, as well as its difficult content, can make it an intimidating challenge.

Read on for our guide to the SAT’s length, individual section times, and section ordering. Moreover, learn how to deal with fatigue during the test.

This guide has been fully updated for the digital SAT!

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Should You Get SAT Question and Answer Service for Score Verification?

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Posted by Samantha Lindsay | Jan 17, 2018 11:00:00 AM

SAT

Do you want to use the results of your first SAT to study for your second attempt? Are you interested in seeing exactly how your SAT scores turned out the way they did? Do you love the SAT so much that you want to order 1600 copies of your test and dive into the pile of booklets like a much nerdier Scrooge McDuck (disclaimer: you can't actually do this)?

Good news! The College Board provides the Student Answer Service and Question-and-Answer Service for the SAT to allow you to review your results in more detail after the test. In this article I’ll go through how these services work, why you might use them, and how to order them.

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How Important Is Vocabulary for the New SAT?

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Posted by Rebecca Safier | Jan 9, 2018 9:00:00 PM

SAT, SAT Reading, New SAT

Studying hundreds of fancy words from big lists has long been a mainstay of SAT prep. But with the redesigned SAT focusing on medium-level words in the context of passages, do you still need to drill yourself on little-used vocab words?

Before you expend superfluous energy to bolster your cognizance of recondite terminology (or waste time learning lots of obscure words), read this guide to learn what vocabulary you need for the new SAT. First, what changes are being made to the SAT in terms of vocabulary?

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How Long Before the SAT Should You Prep? 4 Key Tips

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Posted by Dr. Fred Zhang | Jan 9, 2018 11:00:00 AM

SAT

I get this question from students a lot, and it's definitely an important one: how long before the SAT should you begin preparing for it? Moreover, how long is too long (you won't remember the material)? And how long is too short (you won't have enough time to study)?

You'll need to know how to answer these questions if you wish to study effectively. Our four most important tips will help you determine when you should start studying for the SAT.

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PSAT vs SAT: 6 Key Differences You Must Know

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Posted by Vero Lecocq | Jan 3, 2018 9:00:00 AM

PSAT Info and Strategies, SAT

There's the PSAT, there's the SAT. There are even a few other assessments, as it turns out. There's a lot of jargon out there when it comes to the tests offered by the College Board, so it's important to know exactly what you're signing up for—and how each test is different.

The SAT suite of assessments is designed to work together. All tests are fundamentally similar, and you can use any one to prepare for any other. That being said, the PSAT vs SAT isn't a perfectly equal match-up. In reality, there are some differences—both major and minor—between them. We take a look at these below.

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High GPA but Low SAT Score: What Do You Do?

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Posted by Dora Seigel | Jan 3, 2018 9:00:00 AM

SAT, College Admissions

For a lot of smart students, the SAT is a struggle. If you have a high GPA, but a low SAT score, you're not alone!

If you feel like you're good in school but not great at test taking, here's our expert guide on how you can boost your chances of getting into a great college. You'll be able to show colleges your true academic potential.

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Expert Guide: How Many Times Should You Take the SAT?

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Posted by Rebecca Safier | Dec 27, 2017 8:30:00 AM

SAT

How many times can you take the SAT? Is there a limit if you're retaking it to achieve your ideal score? Why would you want to keep sitting through this high stakes test, anyway?

There are several compelling reasons to take the SAT more than once, but you also shouldn't go totally overboard. Let's go over when you should retake the SAT, and when it might be time to move on.

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How Long Is the SAT With Breaks?

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Posted by Dora Seigel | Dec 20, 2017 11:00:00 PM

SAT

The SAT is a marathon that takes up your whole Saturday morning. But exactly how long is it? How long is the SAT with breaks? How long is it with the Essay section? Without it?

This article gives the answers to these questions and also offers a few key tips on how to use SAT breaks to your advantage on test day.

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What to Do With a Low SAT/ACT Score

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Posted by Dr. Fred Zhang | Dec 14, 2017 12:00:00 PM

ACT, SAT

You got your SAT/ACT score back, and it isn't what you'd hoped it'd be. Even though the SAT and ACT are each just a few hours long, the score you get often counts for a third or more of college admissions and can therefore have a big impact on your future.

The fact that you're looking for solutions is a good first step. It's important, now more than ever, not to freak out and to instead calmly plan the best steps forward. In this article, we go over our top four tips for what to do with a low SAT or ACT score.

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The Best Way to Study for the SAT: 4 Ultimate Tips

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Posted by Justin Berkman | Nov 22, 2017 8:00:00 AM

SAT

If you hope to get an amazing SAT score and improve your chances of getting into the college of your dreams, you'll need to know the best way to study for the SAT. But without a definitive study plan and the tools needed to study effectively, you won't be able to maximize your score, even if you put in tons of prep time.

In this article, I'll explain all of your SAT study options to help you figure out which ones are right for you, and also give you essential study tips for your SAT prep.

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Calculators on the SAT: Tips from Experts

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Posted by Dr. Fred Zhang | Nov 21, 2017 6:00:00 PM

SAT

Calculators are allowed on the SAT, and not using them correctly can put you far behind. SAT experts Fred Zhang and Allen Cheng discuss which tips and strategies worked for them in getting perfect scores.

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The 22 Digital SAT Tips and Tricks You Must Use

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Posted by Samantha Lindsay | Nov 4, 2017 9:00:00 AM

SAT

Studying for the SAT is a big undertaking, and you might not know where to start. A good way to get yourself into gear is to learn about the structure of the test and different ways you can adapt your strategy to improve on each section.

In this article, I’ll provide you with a comprehensive list of the top 22 tips (broken down by section) that you should be using to get your best scores ever on the digital SAT.

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How to Get 800 on SAT Writing: 9 Strategies From a Perfect Scorer

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Posted by Allen Cheng | Oct 19, 2017 12:00:00 PM

SAT, SAT Writing

Are you scoring in the 600–750 range on SAT Writing? Do you want to raise that score as high as possible—to a perfect 800?

UPDATE: This article discusses a previous version of the SAT. If you are looking to get a perfect score on the digital SAT, check out my guide to getting an 800 on SAT Reading and Writing.

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Khan Academy SAT Will Never Be Enough - Here's Why

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Posted by Allen Cheng | Oct 13, 2017 9:00:00 AM

SAT, New SAT

With the new 2016 SAT, Khan Academy has partnered with the College Board to create a free SAT prep program.

All things considered, Khan Academy's SAT prep program is high quality. It's a great introduction to the test and elevates the bar of free SAT materials. Students unable to afford books or prep programs have a useful resource to train for the test.

But it's not complete.

There's still a lot missing from the Khan Academy SAT program that can prevent you from getting the highest score possible.

In this review, you'll understand what exactly is wrong with the Khan SAT program—and why the partnership with the College Board means these problems will never be fixed. If you plan to use the Khan Academy SAT program, this will show you what you're missing.

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How to Cram for the SAT: 10-Day, 200-Point Prep Plan

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Posted by Dora Seigel | Oct 13, 2017 8:00:00 AM

SAT

If you’re reading this guide, I’m going to assume you don’t have a lot of time before your SAT test date. If you do have a lot of time before your SAT test date (one month or more), feel free to read this article for useful tips, but I urge you to spread your prep out over the full amount of time you have. Do not wait to cram.

The total amount of time spent preparing for the SAT matters, and though you can make great strides in just 10 days, you still need to put in the time. I’ll guide you through the steps to successfully cram for the SAT and raise your score by up to 200 points.

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