osim:

mensch:

[quote=\"dreamerz718\"]Is it too challenging to take SATs after Os instead? I'm afraid I might not have time in JC

Hi dreamerz,

Many students take the SATs during JC so it should be manageable. Another way for you to gauge for yourself is to do a few practice tests, which are available online at sites like the College Board's (it creates and administers the SAT).

Generally Singaporean students cover sufficient concepts to tackle the math section by the time they finish O levels. As for the Writing and Reading sections, those are not based on say the English, Lit, or GP syllabus in school, but your command of English (vocab, grammar rules, argumentation) needs to be fairly strong if you want to get a top score. So if the practice test shows you could use some time building up your English competency, then it might even make more sense to take the SAT in JC1 or JC2.

Cheers.

micko07:

TOEFL is an English exam for non-native speakers. Singaporeans should be eligible for an exemption.

I have yet to hear of a school that does NOT allow males to defer for two years but Teacher Aaron is right in that you should email them to check.

My thoughts on SATs, copied from another post
Personally, I think it's infinitely easier relative to A levels. I got 2200+ (SAT I) and 700+ on 3 SAT IIs with a single sitting for each paper.

SAT IIs are the subject tests -you typically need 2-3 out of a list of 20 or so subjects. If an Arts student like me who only did Biology up to Sec 4 could get 700+ via self-study, it really can't be that difficult. SAT II Math is pretty easy is you do H1/H2 Math - in fact, I think I had a friend who managed to get a pretty good score even without doing H1/H2 Math. I also did SAT II Literature, which was all right. You can look at the list of tests offered and some sample tests here: http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sa ... reparation

SAT I is the \"general\" test that must be taken by pretty much everyone (you can also do the ACT in lieu, but I've never tried that). SAT I Math is a complete joke - I remember a lot of the questions were about Sec 1/2 level. As long as you're careful, there's no reason why you can't get a perfect score. The vocabulary bit is pretty annoying because they tend to use words that don't come up often in everyday conversation, but that can be remedied by some hard-core memorization. You'll also need to go back and revise basic grammar rules (which can actually be completely counter-intuitive). The essay is also graded differently to GP so you need to be familiar with how that works too. You can see a sample SAT paper here: https://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-practice-test

You only really need SATs for US applications - I wouldn't sit for them otherwise (unfortunately, the UK schools typically make offers conditional on SIPCAL/ IB). If the kid is potentially interested in applying to the US, I would suggest taking them as soon as possible, so that you can resit if necessary. I can't exactly remember when I took my SATs, but I think I did SAT IIs in June of J1 and SAT I in December of J1. Practise loads, be very careful, and you should be fine (there are \"ten year series\" equivalents, which you can buy from bookshops or online eg http://www.randomhouse.com/princetonreview/college/sat/)

pinky:

ST today reported a shortage of places for the test in October as 'a few hundred ' students from China has signed up to take the test here. It was a result of a mix up in the date in HK so they turned to Singapore instead. A SAT prep co. in China mentioned that they do organise such trips for China students to come here and throw in sightseeing also. About 40,000 China students take the SAT in HK, South Korea and Singapore. It was estimated that there are about 8000 test places being offered here.

mensch:

dreamerz718:

Is it too challenging to take SATs after Os instead? I'm afraid I might not have time in JC

Hi dreamerz,

Many students take the SATs during JC so it should be manageable. Another way for you to gauge for yourself is to do a few practice tests, which are available online at sites like the College Board's (it creates and administers the SAT).

Generally Singaporean students cover sufficient concepts to tackle the math section by the time they finish O levels. As for the Writing and Reading sections, those are not based on say the English, Lit, or GP syllabus in school, but your command of English (vocab, grammar rules, argumentation) needs to be fairly strong if you want to get a top score. So if the practice test shows you could use some time building up your English competency, then it might even make more sense to take the SAT in JC1 or JC2.

Cheers.

dreamerz718:

Is it too challenging to take SATs after Os instead? I'm afraid I might not have time in JC

osim:

micko07:

Just buy one of those \"ten year series\" and practice diligently. It worked out fine for me (the fact that an Arts student can get 700+ on Bio should tell you just how doable self-study is). Get one of those SAT vocabulary lists as well.

Jun and Nov are fine, but make sure he has ample time to practise. SATs are somewhat different from A levels and you need to be familiar with the tests.

It's good to hear this. Can save $$$ if he Prep by himself.

zbear:

Sorry if this is a stupid question - if you have an overseas scholarship, do you still need to sit for SAT?