Sat math Essentials

C H A P T E R
Taking the SAT
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W h o Ta k e s t h e S AT ?
The SAT Reasoning Test is the most common stan-
dardized test that high school students take when
applying to college. In fact, approximately two million
students take the SAT each year.
W i l l M y S AT S c o r e s D e t e r m i n e
W h e t h e r I G e t i n t o C o l l e g e ?
No. Your SAT scores are only one small part of any col-
lege application. In other words, your SAT scores alone
will not determine whether or not a college accepts
you as part of its student body. Let’s say that again, a lit-
tle louder: YOUR SAT SCORES ALONE WILL NOT
DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT A COLLEGE
ACCEPTS YOU AS PART OF ITS STUDENT BODY.
Colleges look at individuals, not just test scores and
grades. They want fascinating, curious, motivated peo-
ple on their campuses, not a bunch of numbers.
When evaluating candidates, admissions officers
look at your academic performance, but they also look
at the rest of your life. What are your interests? How do
you spend your time outside of school? What are your
goals? 
When you submit an application to college, you
should make sure it shows what makes you a unique
person. Colleges typically aim to fill their campuses
with a diverse group of individuals. Think about what
you can best offer to a college community. What are
your strong points? Do you excel in music, theater, art,
sports, academics, student government, community
service, business, or other areas? It doesn’t matter what
your interests are. It only matters that you have them.
Let your best qualities shine through in your applica-
tion and you can be confident that you are presenting
yourself as a strong possible candidate for admission.
So, don’t sweat the SAT. Getting nervous about it
won’t help you anyway. As long as you follow through
with your plan to prepare for it, your score can help you
become an attractive candidate.