The SAT is a standardised test administered by the College Board in a multiple-choice format. It is taken by students pursuing undergraduate studies, particularly in the US or Canada. The SAT evaluates candidates’ written, verbal, and mathematical skills. Initially a pencil-and-paper test, the SAT has recently transitioned to a digital format. The new SAT Digital Exam, introduced last year, is now being conducted widely across Indian states.
Although the College Board hasn’t set specific eligibility criteria for the SAT, these exams are crucial for international students seeking admission to undergraduate programmes. Typically, 11th or 12th-grade students take the SAT, but it can also be taken after the 12th grade. The SAT has no age limit, though most test-takers are between 17 and 19 years old. SAT scores are highly valued in the USA, Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand.
Eligibility Criteria For SAT Exam 2024
Indian students aspiring to apply to overseas colleges that accept SAT scores must meet certain eligibility criteria:
Eligibility Test Eligibility Criteria For Disabled Students
Students with disabilities who notify the College Board in advance can take the SAT with accommodations tailored to their needs. These accommodations must be approved beforehand by the College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) unit. They can be used for the SAT General and SAT Subject Tests without needing a new request for each exam.
Accommodations available for disabled students during the SAT exam include:
- Access to Braille and large-print exams for visually impaired candidates
- Extra time for completing the SAT exam
- Use of a computer for writing essays
- Additional breaks during the exam
SAT exam centres are equipped to accommodate disabled students, ensuring they have a smooth testing experience.
ID Proof Criteria For The SAT Exam
As of 2024, the SAT exam has stringent ID proof requirements. Only government-issued ID proofs are accepted as valid for SAT registration. Specifically, for Indian students, a valid passport is the sole acceptable proof for SAT registration. It’s crucial to note that the proof of SAT ID must be current, presented in its original physical form, and not a photocopy.
Here are examples of unacceptable ID proofs for both Indian and international students:
- Damaged, torn, or worn-out IDs
- IDs displayed on electronic devices
- Digitally altered or manipulated documents
- Birth certificates
- Social security cards
- Employee ID cards
- Missing child ID cards
- Temporary ID cards of any kind
SAT Exam Eligibility Criteria For Passport-Sized Photo
Preparing for the SAT involves adhering to strict guidelines, particularly when submitting a photograph for your admission ticket and security clearance at testing centres. The College Board sets clear standards to ensure the photograph accurately represents each candidate. It must be devoid of sunglasses, other individuals, and digital alterations while showcasing the candidate’s clear facial features and head covering, if applicable. Compliance with these guidelines ensures a smooth test-day process, where your identification photograph plays a crucial role in verification and security checks.
| Acceptable Photograph | Unacceptable Photograph |
| Candidate is instantly recognisable | Candidate wearing sunglasses |
| Candidate is the sole person in the photograph | Another person visible in the photo |
| Head and shoulders clearly visible, including eyes, hair, face, and head covering (if applicable) | Head covered by hat or any other object (excluding religious reasons) |
| Well-focused photograph | Unrecognisable because of low picture quality |
| No presence of dark shadows | Digitally altered or tampered |
| Black and white photographs are acceptable according to eligibility criteria | —- |
SAT Exam Dates 2024
Candidates preparing for the SAT in 2024 must note the exam dates specific to India and plan their registrations accordingly. It is crucial to register well before the deadline to avoid any last-minute stress. Below is the table listing the SAT Digital exam dates for 2024 in India, along with the deadlines for changes and regular cancellations.
| SAT Digital Test Dates (2024) | Deadline for Changes, and Regular Cancellation |
| May 4, 2024 | April 19, 2024 |
| June 1, 2024 | May 21, 2024 |
| August 24, 2024 | TBA |
| October 5, 2024 | TBA |
| November 2, 2024 | TBA |
| December 7, 2024 | TBA |
Benefits Of Undertaking The SAT Exam
Prospective students aiming to enrol in undergraduate programmes in the United States often take the SAT. While many US colleges require the SAT for admission, some have moved to a test-optional policy or have entirely removed the SAT score requirement. However, for universities still accepting SAT scores from international students, here are some benefits of taking the SAT exam in 2024 and submitting its scores for admission:
- The SAT is a multiple-choice exam that assesses students’ knowledge in English and Mathematics. Some questions in the Maths section require students to produce an answer without multiple-choice options.
- The SAT exam in 2024 has been reduced to just 2 hours and 14 minutes.
- Additionally, many schools offer scholarship money based on SAT results and scores.
- Submitting SAT scores can strengthen an application by providing the admissions committee with a measure of a student’s skills.
- Students can take the SAT multiple times throughout the year to improve their scores and potentially perform better with each attempt.
- Compared to the ACT, the SAT allows 43% more time per question and does not penalise for unanswered or incorrect answers.
- Another advantage of the SAT is that the 2024 exam is now digital, unlike the ACT, which remains a longer, pencil-and-paper test. Moreover, the SAT does not have a separate Science section; scientific concepts are assessed through reading passages on the digital SAT exam.
Taking the SAT has many benefits, and the recent changes to the exam format and duration make it an even more attractive option for students aiming to study in the US.
FAQs
Q1. What are the requirements for the SAT exam?
The only requirement to take the SAT exam is a certificate of completion for either class 10 or class 12. There are no age restrictions or other significant eligibility criteria.
Q2. Are 12th marks important for the SAT?
Your high school marks and SAT scores complement each other. The SAT score is assessed alongside your high school marks, so it is crucial to maintain a strong academic record.
Q3. What are the qualification marks for the SAT exam?
A good range for SAT scores is between 1300 and 1500. Higher scores can open doors to selective universities, while average scores allow applications to comparable colleges. It is important to note that there is no official cut-off score for the SAT.
Q4. What is the fee for SAT in India?
In India, the SAT with an Essay costs $117 (Rs. 9,062), and the SAT without an essay costs $105.
Q5. Is SAT eligible in India?
Yes, the SAT is eligible for study at a few universities in India, such as Ahmedabad University, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapitham, Anant National University, and Ashoka University.
We hope you liked this blog on eligibility criteria for the SAT exam. Read related blogs on the following topics that might interest you:
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