SAT tests assess your academic readiness for college. There are two kinds of SAT tests – the SAT (general test) and SAT Subject Tests.
- Who needs to sit the tests?
- Where can I sit the tests?
- When can I sit the tests?
- What do I have to do to sit the tests?
- How can I prepare for the tests?
- Further information
The SAT tests are administered by American not-for-profit organisation The College Board.
The SAT tests (along with the ACT) are one of two standardised testing programs widely recognised for undergraduate college admissions in the US. Most colleges and universities in the United States require SAT or ACT test scores as part of their application process.
SAT
The SAT measures the critical reading, writing and mathematical abilities you’ll need for academic success in the US.
SAT Subject Tests
SAT Subject Tests are hour-long, content-based tests measure your knowledge and skills in specific subjects. There are 20 SAT Subject Tests in five general subject areas – English, history, languages, mathematics and science. Students can take up to three SAT Subject Tests on a single test date, but cannot take the general SAT and SAT Subject Tests during the same test administration.
For more information about the tests visit the College Board website.
Who needs to sit the tests?
If you are applying to an undergraduate programme in the US then you will most likely have to sit SAT (or ACT) tests as part of the application process. Many universities may require or recommend one or more of the SAT Subject Tests as well as the general SAT.
Please check admissions criteria of the college(s) you intend applying to, in order to determine which test(s) you should take.
Where can I sit the tests?
There are SAT test centres in Auckland, Wanganui, Lower Hutt, Wellington, Christchurch, Lincoln and Queenstown.
Testing Closer to Home
If you live more than 75 miles (121 km) from the nearest test centre you may be able to sit the test closer to your home. You will need to register by mail by the early registration deadline (generally 3-4 weeks prior to the registration deadline). See the SAT website or The Paper Registration Guide for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests for more information about testing closer to home.
Note: This is not available for October or June test dates. You must pick an existing centre for those dates.
When can I sit the tests?
SAT Tests are given on set dates throughout the year.
The schedule for the 2011-2012 testing cycle is as follows:
| Test date | Locations | Registration deadline* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 October 2011 | Auckland, Wanganui, Lower Hutt, Christchurch, Lincoln, Queenstown | 9 September 2011 |
| 5 November 2011 | Auckland, Wanganui, Lower Hutt, Wellington, Christchurch | 7 October 2011 |
| 3 December 2011 | Auckland, Wanganui, Lower Hutt, Christchurch, Queenstown | 8 November 2011 |
| 28 January 2012 | Auckland, Lower Hutt, Wellington, Christchurch | 30 December 2011 |
| 5 May 2012 | Auckland, Wanganui, Lower Hutt, Christchurch, Queenstown | 6 April 2012 |
| 2 June 2012 | Auckland, Wanganui, Lower Hutt, Christchurch, Queenstown | 8 May 2012 |
| * Standby registration is available if you miss the registration deadline. An additional fee applies, and admission to a test center cannot be guaranteed. You can find more information about standby testing on the College Board website or in the The Paper Registration Guide for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests. | ||
Different SAT Subject Tests are offered on each test date. Language with Listening Tests are offered in November only. For a calendar of SAT Subject Test dates see the College Board website.
Test dates for the 2012-2013 cycle will not be announced until July 2012 at earliest. Please do not call us for information about these tests before then, as we will be unable to answer your enquiry.
What do I have to do to sit a test?
Register
You can register online at the College Board website (requires a valid credit card) or by mail.
To register by mail you need to obtain The Paper Registration Guide for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests and Registration Form, which you can obtain from Fulbright New Zealand (along with free guides to Getting Ready for the SAT and Getting Ready for the SAT Subject Tests) by sending a stamped, self-addressed A4-sized envelope ($1.50 standard post, $2.00 fast post) to:
Testing Adviser
Fulbright New Zealand
PO Box 3465
Wellington 6140
Fees
The 2011–2012 fee for taking the SAT in New Zealand is US$75.00. Fees for SAT Subject Tests are US$73 for Language with Listening Tests and US$62 for all others. Standby testing costs an additional US$43.00. You can find a full list of fees on the College Board website or in the The Paper Registration Guide for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests.
How can I prepare for the tests?
The College Board website offers free practice materials including a question of the day, practice questions and practice tests.
The College Board also offer an Online Course and publish numerous official study guides including The Official SAT Study Guide, The Official Study Guide for all SAT Subject Tests and subject-specific study guides, which can be purchased online from the College Board Store.
Buy books from Fulbright New Zealand
Fulbright New Zealand offers a selection of test study guides for sale. For a list of titles currently in stock, please download the Educational Advising Centre Research Catalogue from the Advising services and resources page of our website. Popular study guides are generally also available to purchase from major book shops and online booksellers.
Further information
For other useful information visit the College Board’s official SAT website – http://sat.collegeboard.org – or contact our Testing Adviser, Tracy Blower: tracy@fulbright.org.nz / (04) 494 1501