Last year, Reuters reported that the College Board is facing a widespread security problem and not enough steps were taken to address the situation. Here is a brief of what had happened – Certain test-preparation companies in Asia are still giving questions and reading passages from past SAT exams to their clients in the form of practice material. This is seen as an unfair advantage as those questions would later show up on SAT exams administered overseas.
Reuters further claims that the College Board had known about the exam leak but knowingly administered some exams overseas.
College Board is now taking steps like reducing the number of times SAT is conducted outside of the US and increasing the inspection of test centers. However, there was no announcement about the main source of security lapses - ending the practice of recycling SAT tests overseas that were initially given in the US.
Also, it was announced that the scores of some students who took the SAT outside of US in January 2017 have been cancelled and scores of an additional group of students are being reviewed. The reason why College Board is cracking down the January 2017 exam is that some parts which appeared on the January exam given in Asia were originally administered in June 2016 in the US.
As a result, starting from the 2017-18 session the number of SAT tests administered overseas will be reduced from six dates per year to four dates per year. The months when SAT will be available for international students will be October, December, March and May.
The purpose of SAT exam to check the student's readiness for college level education by testing them on theirhigh school knowledge. Based on the student's performance in SAT exam, the colleges are able to compare the performance and admit students based on their scores on SAT exam. Thus, this is the sole purpose of SAT exam to test the students.
SAT is an important deciding factor in considering admissions to universities abroad at large. Importance of SAT can be understood this way:
- It helps admission committee understand an applicant's potential academically, and offer or not offer him admission.
- Higher the SAT score, higher is the possibility of admissions (keeping other things in check like documentation, good moral character, etc.).
- Better scope for getting a scholarship to support education abroad if scored well on SAT.
- Based on SAT scores, admission committees can also assess an applicant's level of critical thinking, time management skills including problem solving skills.
Thus, these reasons are essential to determine what is the importance of SAT exam scores for admissions.
Pick your stage and get free guidance from counsellors who've helped thousands get into top universities.
Starting research
Shortlisting colleges
Exam preparation
SOP/LOR writing
Scholarship & finance
Visa application
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
SAT exam is conducted eight times in a year, in India and globally. The SAT exam is conducted in the following months annually:
SAT exam is conducted on Saturdays of the above-given months. Sunday testings are unavailable in India. Applicants can check out the latest dates on - SAT Exam Dates.
College Board has added one more SAT testing date in the month of September from 2025. Thus, applicants can choose to apply for one more SAT exam date if they wish to in September.