(Timestamps for sections in transcript)

Transcript:

Whether you are a junior taking the Silver Creek High School SAT on March 14, a student planning to sign-up for a future SAT, or just a curious listener, all of the information about the upcoming SAT and its change to be sign-up only is here. 

The SAT is a standardized test given by the College Board, testing a person’s math and English skills. Many higher education institutions like universities consider the scores on the SAT for admission or class placement. Some universities require students to submit an SAT score, but many are becoming SAT optional or won’t look at an SAT score at all. 

Reminder to Juniors: The SAT is soon! (0:30 – 3:18)

This year’s SAT is on March 14, 2024. Students are assigned to test in either Raider Hall or the library. Students MUST report to their testing site by 8:15 a.m.; otherwise they won’t be able to take the test. It is recommended to come 15 to 30 minutes earlier to give yourself some time to mentally prepare, calm down, and in case there is an unexpected issue. 

Once you enter the designated building and are seated, the proctors will identify you through your ID number or ID card. Then, they will quickly go over a quick information form that should have been done on a previous day in your US History class. The SAT will start with the English section, being 64 minutes long, followed by a ten minute break, then a 35 minute no calculator math portion, a five minute break, and finally a 35 minute calculator math section. There is no essay. It totals to 149 minutes, or about two and a half hours.

Starting this year, the SAT is fully online. Make sure that your school chromebook is charged, updated, and runs smoothly. You may need to bring your charger if it drains battery quickly. As for other things to bring, a calculator is recommended. While Bluebook, the SAT program, already has a calculator, physical ones are quicker to operate. Check to make sure your calculator is allowed with this link here. A pencil or anything else to write with will also be essential for the math section. 

It is also recommended to bring a snack or drink to have during the break. A small energizing snack like an energy bar and some water will work wonders. Try to avoid sugary foods and drinks that may crash your energy midway through the test. Finally, bring a jacket or sweater. The library and Raider Hall can get quite cold in the mornings. 

Even though the test is right around the corner, you can still study. Eight out of a surveyed 18 students who took the SAT did not study at all, so just a single glance at a SAT prep workbook is better than 38% of them. The best last-minute strategy is to take one to a few practice tests. The most accurate tests are from College Board and Khan Academy. Practice tests on cracksat.net fit as well if you’ve reviewed all the College Board and Khan Academy ones. Just make sure to avoid sketchy ads and outdated tests on that website, or any practice test website you find.

Important note: Do not cram practice tests the night before the SAT. It tires you out more than it prepares you. A single test is more than enough. 

Finally, some final tips before the SAT. One of the easiest and most important preparations is sleep. Get a good night’s rest, as even if you don’t feel tired, a lack of sleep can make your performance worse. On the morning of, make sure to eat some sort of non-sugary breakfast to get energized. In the minutes before the test, do your best to calm down. The simplest method is breathing exercises, such as slow inhaling through your nose and exhaling through the mouth. 

The best calming method though is to always remember, this test does not define you. Whether you do amazingly or subpar, there will still be colleges that won’t even look at your score. There will still be other ways to prove your greatness to universities. There will still be a promising future, no matter your score.

Start Planning Early! (3:18 – 5:17)

It’s best to know about the format and preparation tips about the SAT way in advance.

The first thing that every student should know is that our district, the East Side Union High School District, will pay for every student’s first SAT done in Silver Creek in their junior year. No merit, no low income status, just free tests. Juniors must sign up to take the SAT. Your counselors will talk to you about the whole process in your junior year, along with reminders from emails and Canvas announcements. 

The sign up itself is quick and easy. You will be given a Google Form to fill out. All it needs is your name, school ID, and US History period and teacher.

SATs are typically held in mid to late March, but the exact date varies. You will know the date early in the school year. They are always at 8:15 a.m., which is a bit earlier than the early schedule start time. The SAT is online; done on your school chromebook. 

Most online sources will say that the SAT only takes three months to study. You should start studying earlier, as schoolwork often cuts into your studying time. A great time to start studying is the summer before your junior year, but anytime before January still gives enough time. 

If you start studying earlier, you don’t have to cram knowledge. Start off by familiarizing yourself with the type of questions the SAT has. The SAT tends to always ask questions about algebra, replacing wording, and changing the order of sentences no matter the year. Once you feel ready, start taking practice tests, likely from College Board or Khan Academy. Even if you have to break up one test over time, practice tests are key. 

Khan Academy is a great way to prepare, as it goes into specifics of what question types you may struggle on, helping you improve your weaknesses. It helps spread studying over a period of time and is completely free. 

Common worries about the SAT are the general content, finishing the test on time, and the math section. General content and time-related worries are lessened with practice tests. While math may be challenging, much of the content reflects Math 1 and Math 2. Make sure to also study the English section, which can be just as difficult. 

Having started preparing early, you have already done better than most. No matter your SAT score, your effort has already shown enough. 

What Do The Changes to the SAT Mean? (5:17 – 6:28)

If you’re still curious about the changes to the SAT, continue listening. 

The change to sign ups for the SAT is district wide. The reasoning, according to Lyra Hua, the coordinator of the SAT process at Silver Creek, is because the SAT is being used less often by colleges and universities. Over 1,800 colleges in the US are SAT optional, and that number keeps increasing. California State Universities and the University of California system don’t consider SAT scores in their admissions at all. 

There is also a change by College Board this year making all SATs online. The content and scoring remains the same, but it is quicker. 

By making the SAT sign up only, unwilling juniors aren’t forced or expected to take the SAT. Of the 19 surveyed who took the SAT already, three of them, or 26%, would not have signed up if they had the option. Eight of them, or 42.1%, said yes, while the remaining six said maybe. Taking the opportunity to sign up is free, but if you do not want to take it, feel free to refuse. This year, 242 juniors signed up to take the SAT out of the school total of about 582 juniors.

While the tips and statistics around the SAT rarely change much, the format continues to change as education and technology evolves.