Taking The SATs

By Jack Zeilenga, Associate Director of Admissions

The thought of taking the SAT probably sends chills down the backs of some high school students.  You spend a Saturday morning in a room filled with other students in an unnatural testing environment (at least compared to what you’ve typically done in high school), nervous about how you’ll do, what it means, and hoping that you don’t have to go to the bathroom over the next three to four hours.  Don’t freak out!  You are not alone.  Take a deep breath and read on for some tips on taking the SAT.

One of the most critical things to remember when taking the SATs is that you can and should take the test more than once. While spending another four hours on a Saturday locked up in a classroom may not be high on your list of things to do, statistically speaking you WILL do better you second time around. You will be more comfortable with the testing environment, will have studied more, and will be more prepared mentally and physically for what you need to do.  Hopefully your nerves will have calmed a little as well.  The good news is that Norwich (and many other colleges) take the best scores from each section of the SAT and combine them when reviewing your application.  Whether you’ve taken the test two, three, or four times, we will only consider the best score from each of the three sections.  Norwich does this for both the SAT and ACT.

There are many ways to prepare for taking the SAT. There are a number of prep books on the market today that can be found in bookstores, libraries, and probably your high school guidance office. If your school offers SAT prep classes, take advantage of these.  Putting in a little extra time now can have big benefits later.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help!  Teachers, guidance counselors, and even your parents can help you study and prepare for your testing.

Good luck!

Norwich requires that students take either the SAT or the ACT for admission. If you take the ACT, you are not required to take the optional writing portion. No matter how you do the first time, we recommend that all students take the test a second time. For more information about testing dates and locations, visit The College Board for the SAT or ACT.org for the ACTs.