What to Expect from the SAT When Earning a High School Diploma Online

SAT tests the skills important for future success. Students typically take the SAT during the spring of junior year in high school, but can retake it the following fall to improve their score. It's usually easier to take the exam the second time because students are more familiar with the process. Here are ten of the most common questions students that students earning their high school diploma online ask about the SAT.

1. When is the SAT given? Each year in the U.S., the SAT is offered at least seven times, including October, November, December, January, March, May, and June.

2. How do I register? You can register online here.

3. How much does it cost to take the SAT? Is financial assistance available? It costs $54.50 to register for the SAT. Fee waivers are available to students in the 11th and 12th grades who meet the criteria. You can find the criteria here.

4. What subjects does the SAT test? Students are tested on reading, writing, and math skills they have learned up to and throughout high school.

5. What types of questions does the SAT include?

• Reading: In this section student read passages and complete sentences.
• Writing: Students write a short essay and answer multiple-choice questions to identify errors and improve grammar and usage.
• Math: Students answer questions on arithmetic operations, algebra, geometry, statistics, and probability.

6. I heard there is an "unscored section." What does that mean? The College Board adds an extra section to each exam that doesn't count toward your score. This 25-minute section is either critical reading, mathematics or writing. The reason for the extra section is to try out new questions and make sure they are fair for the general student population. You will nt know which section is unscored so do your best on every section!

7. Can I take the SAT multiple times? Although most students take the exam twice—once during junior year and once during senior year—the College Board does not recommend taking it more often than that. There is no significant research that's proven your score will go up if you take the exam more than twice.

8. Do I need to take an SAT subject test? No, but it can enhance your college application. Additionally, some colleges do recommend that applicants take the SAT subject tests and may even let you place out of a course because of a high school.

9. How do I find out my score? Scores are available to students approximately five weeks after taking the exam. They are sent to your online high school. You can also receive a paper score by mail if you request it during registration. If you want to receive your score over the phone, then you must pay an extra fee.

10. How do I send my score to the colleges I am applying to? When you register for the SAT, you receive four score reports that can be used up to nine days after the test date. You will be charged for any additional reports.

If you have any other questions about the SAT, visit their website. Taking the SAT does not have to be a scary experience for students who earn their high school diploma online. The sooner you begin to prepare the less stressful it will be.