The SAT or Scholastic Assessment Test (formerly known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test), is a standardized test used by colleges and universities in the United States to help select incoming students. In the United States the SAT is published by the Educational Testing Service (http://www.ets.org/) and administered by the College Board. Virtually every college in America accepts the SAT or Subject Tests as a portion of its admissions procedure. Over two million students take the SAT annually.

Many students deem the SAT the most daunting test of their high school careers. It is a three-hour test that determines your potential academic success. Many colleges consider the SAT scores as a key factor in the admissions process. Some colleges consider your high school academic performance and extracurricular activities as important as standardized tests. If you are planning on going to college, you will need to take either SAT or ACT scores to complete the application process.

The SAT assesses verbal and math reasoning abilities that students would have developed throughout their school years. The test is multiple choice and is intended for students to demonstrate their math and verbal skills. The test is supposedly designed for all students without regard to any differences in education or schooling. According to the College Board (http://www.collegeboard.com/), the test looks for a student's ability to understand and analyze written material, to draw inferences, to differentiate shades of meaning, to draw conclusions and solve math problems. These types of skills are necessary for future academic achievement and success in the workforce.