Standardised Tests - Frequently Asked Questions
The SAT
CAN I TAKE THE SAT AS A COMPUTER ADAPTIVE TEST?
No. Presently, SAT is offered as a paper based test only.
WHAT IS SAT II?
SAT II: Subject Tests measure your knowledge in particular subjects areas and your ability to apply that knowledge. Subject Tests are independent of particular textbooks or methods of instruction. Although the types of questions changes little from year to year, the content of the tests evolves to reflect current trends in high schools curricula.
The tests fall into five general subjects areas:
ENGLISH: Writing, Literature.
LANGUAGES: Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin, French, French with Listening, German, German with Listening, Spanish, Spanish with Listening, Chinese with Listening, Japanese with Listening, Korean with Listening, English Language Proficiency Test.
HISTORY and SOCIAL STUDIES: American History and Social Studies.
MATHEMATICS: Mathematics Level IC, Mathematics Level IIC.
SCIENCE: Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics.
All SAT II: Subject Tests are one-hour, multiple-choice tests. However, some tests have special feature. The Writing Test includes 40 minutes of multiple-choice questions and a 20-minutes writing sample.
DO I NEED TO TAKE SAT II?
You should check directly with the colleges you are considering to determine if they require SAT subject tests in addition to the SAT I and if so , how many and which ones.
CAN I USE A CALCULATOR FOR THE MATH SECTION OF THE TEST?
NO
IS SAT I NECESSARY FOR INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER STUDENTS?
Most undergraduate programs do not require SAT I for international transfer students who have successfully completed at least one year of classes at an accredited international institution.
No.
The GRE
WHAT’S A GOOD GRE SCORE?
For each section, a scaled score over 630 is considered excellent and one between 500 and 629 as good.
HOW OFTEN CAN I TAKE THE COMPUTER-BASED GRE TEST?. IF I CANCEL MY SCORE, CAN I TAKE THE TEST AGAIN?
GRE policy states that you may take the CBT GRE test only once in any calendar month even if you took the test and canceled your scores. For example, if you test in July, you must wait until August to take it again. If you test more that once in a calendar month, your new score will not be reported and your test fee will not be refunded. Violation of this policy may also result in additional action being taken. Effective January 1st. 2002 the test can only be taken five times in your life time. Tests taken prior to this date will not be included in the five life time total.
WHICH SCORE WILL A SCHOOL USE FOR DETERMINING ACCEPTANCES?
Schools will take your, highest score. There is no penalty for taking the test more than once.
HOW LONG IS A GRE SCORE VALID?
Most institutes require the GRE to be no more than five years old.
WHAT ARE SUBJECT TESTS AND DO I NEED TO TAKE THEM?
The Subject Test are offered only as paper based test and are given in 12 subjects areas. The Subject Tests measure achievement in specific subject areas and assume undergraduate majors or extensive background in those disciplines. You will need to check the admission requirements of the particular school’s program you are applying to in order to determine if a subject test is required or recommended.
CAN I USE A CALCULATOR FOR THE MATH SECTION OF THE TEST?
No.
WHAT’S A GOOD GMAT SCORE?
What you consider a “good” score depends on your own expectations and goal. The national median GMAT score is somewhere around 550, but you need a score of at least 600 to be considered competitive at most B-Schools and near 700 to be competitive at some of the most elite top schools.
HOW OFTEN CAN I TAKE THE COMPUTER-BASED GMAT TEST?. IF I CANCEL MY SCORE, CAN I TAKE THE TEST AGAIN?
GMAT policy states that you may take the CBT GMAT test only once in any calendar month even if you took the test and canceled your scores. For example, if you test in July, you must wait until August to take it again. If you test more that once in a calendar month, your new score will not be reported and your test fee will not be refunded. Violation of this policy may also result in additional action being taken. Effective January 1st. 2002 the test can only be taken five times in your life time. Tests taken prior to this date will not be included in the five life time total.
WHICH SCORE WILL A SCHOOL USE FOR DETERMINING ACCEPTANCES?
Schools will take your, highest score. There is no penalty for taking the test more than once.
HOW LONG IS A GMAT SCORE VALID?
Most institutes require the GMAT to be no more than five years old.
CAN I USE A CALCULATOR FOR THE MATH SECTION OF THE TEST?
The TOEFL
HOW OFTEN CAN I TAKE THE COMPUTER-BASED TOEFL TEST?. IF I CANCEL MY SCORE, CAN I TAKE THE TEST AGAIN?
TOEFL policy states that you may take the CBT TOEFL test only once in any calendar month even if you took the test and canceled your scores. For example, if you test in July, you must wait until August to take it again. If you test more that once in a calendar month, your new score will not be reported and your test fee will not be refunded. Violation of this policy may also result in additional action being taken. Effective January 1st. 2002 the TOEFL can only be taken a maximum of five times per calendar year.
WHICH SCORE WILL A SCHOOL USE FOR DETERMINING ACCEPTANCES?
Schools will take your, highest score. There is no penalty for taking the test more than once.
HOW LONG IS A TOEFL SCORE VALID?
Most institutes require the TOEFL to be no more than two years old.
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM TOEFL SCORE FOR MOST MBA PROGRAMS?
Although this varies, most programs require a TOEFL in excess of 250. However, in order to be competitive for TOP MBA programs a score in excess of 260 is recommended.
Other Articles in the blog which may be of interest to you
Schools That Require Or Recommend SAT Subject Tests
Schools That Do Not Use SAT or ACT Scores for Admitting
SAT Scoring Policies from Top Schools
Best Undergraduate Universities Part 2
All You Need to Know About The Changes In SAT
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Filed under: Admissions, GMAT, GRE, Graduate, SAT, TOEFL, undergraduate
The article says:
“CAN I USE A CALCULATOR FOR THE MATH SECTION OF THE TEST?
NO”
It should be pointed out that using calculators is ALLOWED and ENCOURAGED on all math sections of the SAT reasoning and subject tests.