Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs)

& English Proficiency Tests (TOEFL, IELTS)

• What are PSAT, SAT-1, SAT-2, TOEFL, IELTS? (Website for
PSAT & SATs is www.collegeboard.com; for TOEFL, www.toefl.org;
for IELTS www.ielts.org)
PSAT: Preliminary SAT test (easier than the SAT described below). It is not a required test
for college applications. Taking the test enables students who have US citizenship or PR to
compete for the National Merit Scholarship, so these are the students who should consider taking
it. The test can be taken by students in Grades 10 or 11, but must be taken in Grade 11 for
students who wish to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. Our school administers the test
once a year, during the October mid-term break. The test fee is approximately US $13.

SAT-1: An aptitude test that is required for admission by most US universities, as well as by
some non-US universities. SAT-1 has 3 components: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and
Writing. Each of the 3 components is scored out of 800. For details about the format of the
SAT-1 test and sample tests, see www.collegeboard.com.

SAT-2: These are subject-specific tests, offered in different discipline areas. The maximum
score for each subject test is 800. Highly selective US universities and state universities tend to
require SAT-2 subject tests as part of their admission requirements.

Most universities that require SAT-2 subject tests ask for two subject tests; however, a few
extremely selective universities ask for three subject tests. Individual university websites
specify which universities require two or three SAT-2 subject tests and this can change from year
to year so students must go online and check current requirements.

Many of the subjects that students take as part of their IB Diploma package are offered as SAT-2
subject tests (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Physics). However, some are not (e.g. Economics, many
languages) which can occasionally pose a problem for students needing to take 3 SAT-2 tests.
Students should seek advice from their university counsellor if they are unsure about how to
satisfy SAT-2 test requirements.

TOEFL: A test designed to evaluate a student’s competence in four areas of communication in

English: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.

Internet-based Testing (iBT): The TOEFL test is delivered via the Internet. It tests the four
communication skills—reading, listening, writing, and speaking—through integrated tasks that
test communication ability in English in an academic context. For example, you might read a
passage of text and listen to a lecture, and then write or speak about it in response. The test has
four sections and is about four hours long.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System): It measures ability to communicate

in English across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – for people
who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication. IELTS is
available in two formats – Academic and General Training. The Academic Reading and
Writing Modules assess whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English
at an undergraduate or postgraduate level. It is the responsibility of the candidate to inform the
test centre whether they wish to take the Academic or General Training Modules.

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 Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs)
& English Proficiency Tests (TOEFL, IELTS)
The test consists of four modules and takes a total of 2 hours 45 minutes. The first three
modules - Listening, Reading and Writing - must be completed in one day. The Speaking
Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, in the period seven days before or
after the other Modules. The tests are designed to cover the full range of ability from non-user
to expert user.

• Who needs to take the SAT tests? Do you need to take both SAT-1
& SAT-2?
Most US universities and several universities in other parts of the world (e.g. English-language
universities in Europe like the Jacobs University Bremen) require the SAT-1 test. Some
universities do not require but “highly recommend” that students take the SAT-1 test (e.g. the
Singapore Management University). Many US universities also require the SAT-2 tests. In a few
cases, a university might need SAT-2s but not SAT-1s. Canadian universities do not require
SATs, but suggest that if you have taken them and done well, you should send them your scores.

It is quite easy to check SAT requirements on each college’s website or in general US university
guides such as the Peterson’s, Barron’s, or College Board’s guides, under “admission
requirements” for each university. The College Board’s website also lists this information. It is
important to check each university’s website for most up-to-date requirements!

• Who needs to take the TOEFL?

Many US universities (as well as English-medium universities in other parts of the world) require
the TOEFL as proof of English language competence for non-native speakers of English. Most
universities will indicate the minimum TOEFL score they require. (Some will waive the TOEFL
requirement if you can demonstrate that you have studied in an English-medium school for 2-4 or
more years—check each university’s requirement. Some will consider the Critical Reading or
Writing score on the SAT-1 test in lieu of the TOEFL, but check each university’s requirement).

Generally, if you take English A1 at either higher or standard level, you do not need to take the
TOEFL. However, if you are a citizen of a country where English is not perceived to be the
dominant language (e.g. India, even if English is actually your first language), you may still be
required to take the TOEFL.

If you take either English A2 or English B, you are strongly urged to take the TOEFL if you are
applying to US universities. Although we include a letter from the IBO (International
Baccalaureate Organization) and our own letter that describes the different levels of IB English
courses and argues that TOEFL should not be required of students doing the IB in your
applications, these letters do not always convince the universities!

If your SAT-1 Critical Reading score is below 600, you are strongly advised to take the TOEFL.
A good TOEFL score can help to compensate for a weak SAT-1 Critical Reading score.

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 Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs)
& English Proficiency Tests (TOEFL, IELTS)
• Who needs to take the IELTS? Can I take the TOEFL instead of
IELTS or vice versa?

Most UK and Australian universities require the IELTS to assess English-language proficiency
levels of non-native speakers of English. Many Canadian and some US universities will also
accept IELTS instead of the TOEFL as proof of English proficiency. Always check which
English proficiency test a university will accept.

• When are SATs offered? When should one take them? SAT Score
Reports
SAT tests are offered 6-7 times a year, always on Saturdays, at various testing centers around the
world. SAT-1 takes about 3 hours 45 minutes; SAT-2 subject tests take 1 hour each. You can
take either the SAT-1 or up to 3 SAT-2 subject tests on a particular test date, but not both SAT-1
and SAT-2 together on the same day. For SAT test dates and schedule, see
www.collegeboard.com.

We strongly recommend that students do NOT take the SAT tests prior to term 2 or 3 of Grade
11. Ideally, the first time should be in May or June of Grade 11. While it does you no harm
to start practicing to take the test early, actually taking the test too early could result in a
relatively low score on one or more components of the test if you are inadequately prepared.

The College Board has recently announced that, as of March 2009, there will be an important
change to the SAT Score Reporting system. From this date onwards, students will be able to
choose which test scores they want to have reported to their designated universities. This will be
effective retroactively, that is, students can choose which of their test scores they wish to have
reported even for tests taken before March 2009. It will no longer be the case that all test scores
for a student will be automatically reported when a student requests their scores to be sent to
universities. It should be noted that all of the components of a particular test sitting will
have to be reported; students will not be able to choose to report one component (say
Mathematics), but not the others (Critical Reading and Writing) from the same test sitting
(e.g. May 2009). Universities will continue to consider only your best score for each component
of the SAT-I test. Please note that if you take the tests towards the end of Grade 11 for the first
time, you still have several opportunities to re-take them in the early months of Grade 12. Taking
the SAT too many times is not advisable. Please note that some universities, especially highly
selective ones still require a student to report all their SAT test sittings. In this case, students will
not be able to select which test scores they want to report.

• Registering for SATs: How? Costs? Requirements for taking the

test?
Register online at www.collegeboard.com. You need an international credit card to pay for the
test fees. When you register, you can list up to 8 colleges to which you want your scores reported
(the first 4 are free when ordered by the test date). Or, you can ask for scores to be reported to
colleges after your test date (which gives you an opportunity to know your scores first before you

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 Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs)
& English Proficiency Tests (TOEFL, IELTS)
ask for them to be reported). When you register, you will need to enter our school’s CEEB
Code: 687229.

Costs: US $71 for SAT-1; US $84 for 2 SAT-2 tests (more if one of the tests is a language test
with listening). These costs are inclusive of the US $26 international processing fee. Costs
are lower if test center is within the US and higher if test center is in India or Pakistan. Four free
score reports are included with registration to take either the SAT-1 or SAT-2 tests; additional
score report requests beyond the four free score reports cost US $9.50 each.

Please check the College Board website for details on what you need to bring in order to be
allowed into the test center on the test day (calculator, valid photo-ID, etc. In some test centers in
certain countries, only a valid passport with a current photo is acceptable).

• When is TOEFL offered? When should one take it? How to prepare
for it? How to register to take it? Costs?
TOEFL iBT is offered on designated test dates throughout the year at various test centers. If you
need to take the TOEFL test, you should take it towards the end of Grade 11 or during term 1 of
Grade 12.

Register for TOEFL online at www.toefl.org. You need an international credit card to register for
TOEFL. Cost for TOEFL iBT: US $195 (includes one examinee score report and 4 official
score reports; additional score reports cost US $17 each). TOEFL test prep books, which include
practice tapes for the listening/speaking components, are widely available.

• When is IELTS offered? When should one take it? How to prepare
for it? How to register to take it? Cost?

IELTS is offered on 48 designated test dates throughout the year at various test centers. If you
need to take the IELTS test, you should take it towards the end of Grade 11 or during term 1 of
Grade 12.

In Singapore, you can take the IELTS test at either the British Council
(http://www.britishcouncil.org/singapore-exams-ielts.htm?mtklink=singapore-exams-ielts) or at
IDP (www.idp.com/singapore). See more about test centres at www.ielts.org. Cost: SGD $300.
Both the British Council and IDP can assist with IELTS preparation and testing.

• How important are the SAT scores when universities are considering
applications?
It depends. Most universities indicate the range or average SAT scores for admitted students on
their websites. This is a good indicator of the kind of scores they are expecting an applicant to
have. Students whose scores are at the lower end of the admitted range should generally not
apply to that university unless there is something else that is very compelling about their

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 Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs)
& English Proficiency Tests (TOEFL, IELTS)
application. Please note that some colleges report their data on SAT scores (ranges,
averages, etc.) of admitted students based on 2 components of the test (Critical Reading and
Mathematics), i.e. out of 1600, while others report all 3 components (including the Writing
component). i.e. out of 2400. Please pay attention to which reporting format each college or
university uses.

Since the Writing component is a relatively recent addition to the SAT-1 test, most colleges and
universities currently consider the Critical Reading and Mathematics scores far more important
than the Writing score. Please remember that the individual component scores are what
matter, not the overall total scores; students should make sure they are able to tell their US
university counsellor what their individual scores are for each component.

SAT scores are rarely the most important admission criterion. Universities, particularly
smaller ones, such as liberal arts colleges, typically look at SAT scores as just one of several
important elements in an application. The most important element in a student’s application is
their achieved and predicted IB grades, followed by reference letters, application essays, etc. If
there are two equally good candidates, the one with better SAT scores will probably have an edge
over the other.

• How should I prepare for the SATs? Should I take a SAT-prep

course? Where can I do this?
The College Board’s website www.collegeboard.com has details about the test content and
format, along with sample questions, practice tests, etc. Most students use the numerous SAT-
prep books that are widely available commercially (eg. College Board’s, Barron’s, Kaplan’s,
etc.). Others find that a commercial SAT-prep course helps them improve their scores. We do
not endorse any particular SAT-prep course, but three popular choices in Singapore are:

Testtakers (www.testtakers-sg.com). Email: info@testtakers-sg.com. Tel: +65-6728-7476

Please note that as of Spring 2007, Testtakers Singapore offer their SAT-prep courses on
UWCSEA’s campus twice a year: once in Aug-Sept in Term 1 (for students taking the SAT in
Oct, Nov, or Dec) and again in March-May in Term 3 (for students taking the SAT in June). The
Testtakers course on campus, only open to UWCSEA students, is offered at a discounted rate of
$850 inclusive of materials. The UWCSEA Testtakers course schedules are advertised through
our weekly University Bulletin at appropriate times of the year.

Princeton Review (www.tes.edu.sg). Email: tpr@tpl.com.sg (Mr. Jason Tan) Tel: 68390116 or
68390112

High Q (www.highq.com.sg). Email: info@highq.com.sg Tel: 6336-6551