The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test created and administered by the College Board. 

The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student’s readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important SAT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school.

Overall, the higher you score on the SAT, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you.

There are two  SAT sections: 

The SAT is 3 hours long.

Each section of the SAT is scored on a 200 to 800 point scale. Your total SAT score is the sum of your section scores. The highest possible SAT score is 1600