Are you feeling the chills before applying for an SAT test in Pakistan? You are not alone! Many of us know the same feeling of the “unknown” looming ahead of us. Good news is that we can peel the layers of SATs and simplify the process for you.
The Scholastic Assessment Test or SAT test in Pakistan is conducted by the College Board, USA. SAT test scores are then used by universities and colleges to grant admission. Not all universities in Pakistan require an SAT test. Some universities require a local NTS test or have their own internal testing done.
SAT tests students’ abilities to think critically in a short period of time. SATs are not just a memory test for vocabulary content or math formulae. Rather, they are a test of how well you can answer by understanding the question pattern and technique. Let’s read ahead to find out more about the SAT test in Pakistan.
Which Pakistani university requires SAT tests?
Do you want to know which Pakistani university accepts the SAT scores? Here is a brief look:
FAST
For applicants who have taken the SAT exam:
- A total score of 1,000 or more in SAT-I exam
- A minimum score of 550 in SAT-II (Mathematics Level IIC) exam
NUST
Business Studies and Social Sciences / LLB SAT Test (SAT – I)
(Minimum score to apply in each subject – 550)
LUMS
There is no minimum mentioned by LUMS and the admission criteria is holistic. However, for LUMS, the higher the score, the better!
IBA
BBA program – SAT I: At least 600 out of 800 in Mathematics. At least 600 out of 800 in evidence-based reading and writing. Overall score should be at least 1270 out of 1600 in both components.
GIKI
SAT-II required in Mathematics and Physics for Engineering and Computer Science Programs. Also required in any two subjects for Management Sciences Program.
What is SAT I test?
The SAT is a standardized test for students in grades 11 or 12. It is divided into these sections:
- Reading comprehension
- Mathematics
- Language aptitude
- The total time for the SAT is three hours and fifty minutes.
- The Reading section consists of 52 questions that must be answered within 65 minutes.
- The Writing and Language section has 44 questions that must be completed in 35 minutes.
- There are two Math sections on the SAT: one with a calculator (38 questions/55 minutes) and one without a calculator (20 questions/25 minutes). The Math sections test a student’s ability to problem-solve and understand mathematical concepts.
- The difficulty level of questions increases from low to very high in each section (except for the Reading Section questions). So, the first few questions will usually be easy for most students, and the last ones will usually be extremely difficult for all.
Scoring on SAT I test
- The SAT1 exam is scored on a scale of 400-1600. Highest attainable score is 1600.
- 99th percentile starts at 1500 or 1560.
- You have to aim for a sectional score between 200 and 800 points.
- All the questions will be in MCQ format with 4 options to each question.
- There will be no negative marking for incorrect answers.
SAT I overview
| Section | Subsection | Total testing time breakdown | Number of questions and types | Content/skills tested |
| Evidence-Based Reading & Writing | Reading | 65 Minutes | 52 | Reading and vocabulary in context |
| Writing | 35 Minutes | 44 | Grammar and usage | |
| Math | 80 minutes: 55-minute calculator-optional section; 25-minute no-calculator section | 58 | Algebra, problem solving and data analysis, advanced math, additional topics (geometry, trigonometry and pre-calculus) |
SAT I and SAT II Difference: Purpose
The main SAT I and SAT II difference is the purpose of the tests. The SAT I aims to test an overall knowledge of the candidates. On the other hand, SAT II measures the topical knowledge of the applicants.
SAT registration in Pakistan
Now that you have learned what is SAT, you are ready to learn how to complete SAT registration in Pakistan.The process is quite straightforward. You will need to visit the official College Board website. You will be required to make a payment of around 59 USD via a credit or debit card. You will also be required to have a valid passport as an identification document.
When to register for SATs?
You should register at least 3 months before the first attempt. For subsequent attempts, you can register with an ideal gap of a month between the attempts.
How many times can you give SATs?
Depending on the hard work you put in the first time, you are not required to give an SAT test again and again. Instead, only one test can be enough for you.
How to prepare for SATs?
Reading comprehension section
| Subject | Reading content |
| US & world literature | 1 passage. Content: Contemporary literary works in the USA or world literature. |
| History/Social Studies | 2 passages, or 1 passage and 1 pair. Content: U.S. founding document or work inspired by those documents. This may include any other history or social studies topic as well. |
| Social Science | 1 passage. Content: Economics, psychology, sociology or other areas of social sciences. Also possible are informational graphics such as graphs, tables. No math will ever be required. |
| Science | 2 passages, or 1 passage and 1 pair. Content: Earth science, biology, chemistry, or physics. This section may include some technical terms but nothing that you won’t understand or can’t answer. |
Math section
| Topics | Expected content | Number of Questions |
| Number and Operations | Properties of integers
Arithmetic word problems Number lines Squares and square roots Fractions and rational numbers Factors, multiples, and remainders Prime numbers Ratios and proportions Percents Sequences and sets Counting problems and logical reasoning |
11-13 questions |
| Algebra and Functions | Operations on algebraic expressions
Factoring and exponents Evaluating expressions with exponents and roots Solving equations and absolute value Direct translation into mathematical expressions Inequalities and systems of linear equations Factoring Direct and inverse variation Word problems and functions |
19-21 questions |
| Geometry and Measurement | Geometric notation
Points and lines Angles in the plane Triangles and quadrilaterals Areas and perimeters Other polygons and circles Solid geometry and geometric perception Coordinate geometry and transformations |
14-16 questions |
| Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability | Data interpretation
Statistics and elementary probability Geometric probability |
6-7 questions |
Best practices to study for SATs with college studies
Understand the difference of test formats
You have to start thinking about your university application when you are in A2 or FSc II. Although we do suggest that students should not start a full preparation program while they are still preparing for their final exams, it all depends on your time management.
Some students underestimate the hard work required for SATs and do not prepare at all. They eventually have to suffer the fate because A2 and FSc format is not going to help you with SATs.
The syllabus might seem overlapping, especially in the Math section. However, the way to attempt the sections is very different from the regular essay based solutions of A Levels and FSc exams.
Manage your time effectively
Whenever you can manage the time effectively, start SAT preparation. The easiest way to start is to get a book available in the market and take a look at the syllabus and question types. Next, learn some basic techniques to manage your time:
General techniques of solving MCQs
1. Don’t skim the questions
Skimming doesn’t save time and it doesn’t get you marks. exams are thoroughly tested for time management by those who make these tests.
2. Don’t rely on feelings to choose the right answer
Do not rely on your personal bias towards a specific option just because it looks and feels right. Remember to recall information as you had learned it before the test.
3. Know why all other options are wrong
You do not need to mark the wrong options but you do need to read the options carefully and quickly know why they are wrong before choosing the right one.
4. Read all the options carefully
Sometimes the options share very similar words. This is true for logic or literacy sections of the test. So, don’t choose an option quickly by spotting a keyword. The same keyword may be present in other options too.
5. Skipping a question isn’t always bad
If you are well prepared, skipping a question doesn’t mean you don’t know the study material. Instead, it means that you need some time to get the answer from one of the layers of your memory. Once you have activated your brain to think and find the answer, it is working in the background while you move on to the next question.
6. Manage your time well
Time is easured in seconds in an MCQ based exam and not in hours. Knowing when to skip a question, when to make a guess, when to take a second’s pause – this is all time management. Also, remember that you need to shade in the correct answer completely because the answer sheets are marked by the computer.
Importance of solving SAT practice tests
SATs are extremely time sensitive, therefore, if you don’t have practice to solve the questions in time, you might have to skip the last few difficult questions in each section. While it is important to take expert advice on how to prepare for the SATs, it is equally important to make sure that you solve many practice tests before the final attempt.
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