SAT tests - FAQ

US unis ask that you take an extra test called the SATs. These tests are not exams and are not related in any way to the UK SATs. They are nationally administered tests that find out your basic levels of competence in classroom subjects. From a UK point of view Harvard does not place huge stress on your scores, and while good scores are a help, modest scores do not necessarily work against you, since the test content and technique are not usually as familiar to UK students as they are to American applicants.

SAT tests were developed in the US as a standardised benchmark to evaluate a wide range of university applicants, because in America the school systems vary tremendously across different states and boroughs and unlike in the UK there is no one evaluation system such as the GCSEs or A Levels. The SATs are multiple choice tests, and are not meant to test your in-depth knowledge or intellectual powers, but to demonstrate critical reading and comprehension skills.

There are two ‘layers' of SATs, the basic SAT I tests, which are Maths and two English tests, and SAT II tests, which cover individual subjects such a science or a language. To apply to US universities, you will need to have taken SAT Is, and in many cases one or more SAT IIs.

Being multiple choice tests, and timed as well, it really pays to obtain the practice books online or from a bookshop and practice taking the tests.

See our FAQ sheet for further information and answers to your questions.