The Most Important Information About the SAT Exam in Turkey
The SAT exam in Turkey, which is overseen by the College Board—a non-profit educational organization based in the United States—serves as a gateway to Turkish universities. It assesses the student’s ability to apply the information they have when solving the problems presented in the test.
The test takes its name from the abbreviation of “Scholastic Assessment Test,” which in Arabic means “School Assessment Test,” and it determines the readiness level of high school students for admission to a Turkish university.
Due to the importance of this exam, in this article we will discuss in detail the types of questions it includes and how you can ensure success on the test through proper preparation.
In addition, we will mention some important information such as the universities that require a successful SAT score for admission, when and where registration for the exam usually takes place, its cost, and its main requirements.
What Types of Questions Does the SAT Exam in Turkey Include?
The SAT exam is divided into two parts. The first part, “SAT 1,” is required by Turkish universities, while the second part, “SAT 2,” is required in only 19 specializations and is accepted by a very limited number of Turkish universities. Therefore, we will discuss in detail the first section, which is essential for your entry into the world of higher education in Turkey.
The SAT 1 exam consists of three main sections and a fourth optional section, which are:
1- Reading Section:
This section depends on the student’s comprehension of the literary passage provided in the test by answering related questions. There are 52 multiple-choice questions, and 65 minutes are allotted to complete them.
2- Writing and Language Section:
This part of the SAT exam in Turkey tests students’ ability to use the information contained in a given text to infer certain conclusions, as well as their ability to express different ideas. In addition, it assesses their English writing skills and measures their knowledge of the terminology used within a specific context.
The Writing and Language section consists of 44 multiple-choice questions, and students are given 35 minutes to complete them.
3- Mathematics Section:
The Mathematics section includes a set of numerical problems focused on algebra, geometry, statistics, data analysis, and trigonometry.
There is also the possibility that questions regarding graphs will be included.
It is worth noting that this section serves as a preparatory test for advanced mathematics and other more complex problems. It is divided into two parts, namely:
1- Mathematics Test with Calculator Allowed:
This part consists of 38 questions that must be solved in 38 minutes, during which the student demonstrates his personal approach to a specific mathematical problem. This type of question is designed to simulate the student’s experience in mathematics.
2- Mathematics Test without Calculator Allowed:
This section of the SAT exam in Turkey contains 58 questions, and the student is given 80 minutes to solve them.
4- Essay Section:
This is an optional section that includes one question, in which the student is required to write an essay within a maximum time limit of 50 minutes. In this section, the ability to analyze a given text and highlight the author’s argument is tested.
It is worth noting that changes occur in the exam on an annual basis; however, these changes do not affect the subject matter of the questions, which remain constant, but rather only concern the method of calculating scores.
How Do You Prepare for the SAT Exam?
Many online platforms will help you study and master the information that may be tested in the SAT exam in Turkey, as they provide a large number of books and references, among the most important of which are the two books:
- The Official SAT Study Guide
- Barron’s How to Prepare for the SAT
Among the most well-known of these platforms is the Duroos platform, which offers a series of preparatory exams that greatly assist students in their test preparation. We should also not forget the “Ready4 SAT” app, which allows you to read thousands of questions along with detailed answers for every question related to the exam.
This app is considered an intelligent guide for ideal preparation for the SAT exam, as it makes the process of getting ready for the test part of your daily routine.
The app also includes a list of more than 400 colleges, so you must select the college you wish to join. This allows you to prepare well to pass the exam with the required score, with suggestions for suitable universities based on your preferences and future goals.
Training Centers:
In reality, there are many centers that provide the educational and academic services you need to ensure success on the exam, including:
- Fikr Institute.
- Lisan Academy.
- Student Assembly Foundation in Turkey.
- Sham Academy.
It is worth noting that the preparation period for the SAT exam ranges from 4 to 7 months at most.
Which Turkish Universities Require the SAT Exam for Admission?
We can list the Turkish universities that require a successful SAT score as a basic admission requirement as follows:
- Boğaziçi University.
- Marmara University.
- Istanbul University.
- Istanbul Technical University.
- Gazi University.
- Yıldız Technical University.
- Koç University.
- Middle East Technical University.
- Hacettepe University.
- Bahçeşehir University.
- Sabancı University.
- Uludağ University.
It is worth mentioning that these universities focus on the Mathematics and Reading sections of the exam and adopt them as essential requirements for seat allocation. They require a certain minimum combined score from these two sections for admission and selection, while engineering faculties focus heavily on the Mathematics section and also impose specific score thresholds for student selection.
What Are the Requirements for Registering for the SAT Exam?
To register for the SAT exam in Turkey, you must provide and fulfill a set of required conditions, which are:
- Submit an identification card with a photograph.
- Submit original documents, as copied or electronic documents will not be accepted.
- Write the candidate’s full first and last name.
- Ensure that the exam card’s photograph matches the identification and the candidate’s appearance at the time of the exam.
- The language of the submitted documents must be English.
When and Where Is the SAT Exam Registration Held in Turkey?
This exam is held more than 7 times each year, but its date varies from country to country, so you should research and inquire about the exam date in the country where you wish to apply.
However, if you are in Turkey, you can register at one of the following locations:
- Izmir American High School.
- Tarsus American High School.
- Robert American High School Istanbul.
- Bilkent University, Ankara.
- Turk-America Association in Ankara.
What Is the Cost of the SAT Exam?
The cost of the exam is only 47.50 US dollars for the three main sections. However, if candidates wish to take the Essay section, they will have to pay 64.50 US dollars.
This concludes our article, which included the most important information about the SAT exam in Turkey, an important admission requirement for Turkish universities. We have provided you with a comprehensive guide that answers all the questions you might have about this exam.
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