Done with High School?What 12th Graders Need to Do Now

After May 1st, graduating college-bound seniors don’t have a whole lot to worry about. May 1st is the deadline for most accepted students to make a final decision about which college they are planning to attend and submit their Intent To Register with one college. After that, college application season is officially over along with exams— which means your officially done. 

That being said, most of you have until August or September to do something and while relaxing and applying for an education visa are both vital and necessary, here are some other things you might want to do:

Set New Personal & Academic Goals

Once you’ve accepted a college offer, it’s pretty safe to say that a lot of your academic and college admissions goals have been achieved. While this is a great achievement and definitely a cause for celebration, you should still keep striving towards some achievable goals until you graduate. If you don’t set new goals for yourself after college application season has ended, your risk catching a severe case of Senioritis and possibly slacking off so much that you don’t pass your classes.

These new goals that you set for yourself don’t have to be ambitious or elaborate. All you need to make sure to include is keeping your grades up, leaving your extracurricular activities on a good note, and making sure that you are in good academic standing as you graduate. While these goals are very broad, they are the very minimum things that you should be striving for as a second-semester senior. Feel free to be more ambitious and maybe even take on one last project in high school if you are so motivated.

Plan a Productive Summer

This is just a continuation of what you have probably been doing with all of your high school summers. The common misconception that many graduating seniors have is that the summer before college is a time to relax before they start college. While a certain amount of relaxation time is nice, you should still try to do something productive and resume-building with your last summer before college.

Why would you want to do this? For starters, once you graduate, you will suddenly be qualified for college-level internships and other jobs that require a high school diploma. This could open doors for you in terms of work experience and even in terms of payment.

Secondly, once you enter college, you’re going to need to leverage every resume-worthy achievement or work experience that you have in order to land your first internship. That freshman year internship is often the hardest one to get, but it’ll be infinitely easier to earn if you have some productive summer achievement under your belt.

Study for AP Exams

Once you’ve accepted a college, you’re not quite through with your preparation for college. If the college you’re attending accepts AP, your big goal for the next few weeks should be to focus on studying for the AP exams you have coming up. The better you do on those exams, the more college credit you will earn.

You really want to try and get as much AP or IB credit as possible during high school because it could really set you ahead in college. In fact, it is possible to earn so much college credit through AP exams that you can enter college with sophomore standing. Also, you can also use AP exam scores to test-out of certain pre-requisite courses in college so that you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars re-taking those classes in college. Note: registration for AP exams in India have ended for this year, but you have registered, know that it can be worth a lot so don’t take it lightly

We hope this helps you! Best of luck <3 

Making Connections to Get and Keep a Great Internship

Securing an internship can be one of the most stressful parts of college life. Each step along the way – the career fairs, the networking events, and the interviews – can overwhelm students. The work doesn’t end there though. Performance in the internship is just as important. Here are some things we tell students as they begin the college, search for internships, and throughout the internship process. 

Learn to open doors

Learn how to make connections in the areas in which you’re interested. Further, learn how to use those connections appropriately to network for available internships. This could be from meeting them for coffee during the day, giving them a call, or even simply connecting with them on LinkedIn and being involved. 

If you haven’t made a LinkedIn account, now is the perfect time to set one up. Click here to learn all about LinkedIn

Once you crack an internship

1. Come prepared on the first day. Know about the company and what your role will be.
2. Meet as many people in the organization as possible. Linking names and faces will allow you to share experiences with more people, while creating a positive association with your coworkers and superiors.
3. Try new things. Just because you don’t know how something is done doesn’t mean you can’t try! Putting yourself in new situations will allow you to learn new things and become more useful to the organization.
4. Build relationships and connections. Just meeting people won’t be enough to be a good intern. It is important to continue conversations and build relationships with the people around you. This makes the workplace more fun, plus you can receive great recommendations from coworkers.
5. Ask for advice and tips. The people around you would love to give you feedback on your experiences – good and bad. Never hesitate to ask for tips for your future or how to improve. Nobody’s perfect, but learning will make your next internship even better!
6. Stay connected after you leave. Just because the internship is over doesn’t mean the communication has to stop. Some companies would love to have you back for another internship, or stay connected for job opportunities after college. Any connection you make during an internship is an important one, so make sure to keep the connection going forward.`

Remember to be confident and honest throughout the interview and internship process, and you won’t go wrong!

If you have any more questions, come have a chat with us!

4 Prestigious Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad

Studying in top international universities is a dream for many Indian students, but financial constraints can sometimes be a hindrance to such dreams. This is why many national and international bodies try to ensure that our talented students are not denied quality education due to lack of funds. 

Tata Scholarship

Undergraduate

This scholarship makes it possible for Indian students to study at Cornell University in the United States for their undergraduate courses.

Scholarship Eligibility – Candidates applying for this scholarship should be Indian Citizens who have secured an admission to Cornell University, and require a need-based financial aid.

Expenses Covered – The Tata Education and Development Trust covers the tuition fee for undergraduate programs up to eight semesters. For programs exceeding that duration (such as Architecture), the student will need to bear the additional cost. Living expenses, food, medical, and travel expenses are also covered under the aid.

Areas of Study – Students accepted to the College of Architecture and Planning, the College of Engineering, the Applied Economics and Management major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and majors across Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, “Hard” (such as Biology, Physics, Chemistry, etc.) Sciences, and Social Sciences are preferred.

Application Time – Applications for this scholarship open around the time of college applications, generally in October/November each year, and awards are given out in December.

No. of Seats – The trust supports 20 students in total studying at Cornell at once.

Country of Study – The aid is limited to students going to study in the United States of America at Cornell University.

Check it out – https://admissions.cornell.edu/apply/international-students/tata-scholarship

Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarships

Undergraduate/Postgraduate

These scholarships are offered by Newcastle University to students who have been offered a place to study at the university. It encourages international applicants and considers every applicant who applies to the university based on merit and diversity priorities.

Scholarship Eligibility – Candidates who have been extended an offer to study at the university, for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, are eligible for this scholarship.

Expenses Covered – It covers a partial aid of £3,000 towards college tuition for one year.

Areas of Study – The scholarship covers undergraduate, postgraduate, as well as integrated master’s programs.

Application Time – The University allocates the scholarships in February, there is no need to apply separately for it. The University automatically considers international students who are accepted to the university for the aid.

No. of Seats – There are 255 awards up for gras every year.

Country of Study – The Scholarships are only offered to students admitted to Newcastle University, United Kingdom.

Check it Out – http://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/finance/scholarships/vcis/

Chinese Government Scholarships

Undergraduate/Postgraduate

These scholarships are offered under the India-China Cultural Exchange Program to students applying to Universities in China for undergraduate, postgraduate, as well as doctoral programs.

Scholarship Eligibility – The candidates applying for the aid should have at least 60% marks or above in their last academic qualification, and should have adequate knowledge about the geography, culture and heritage of China. Since the medium of instruction for the courses is Chinese, candidates are required to undergo one-year training in the Chinese language prior to admission.

Expenses Covered – The scholarship covers tuition fee and living/travel expenses, based on the financial needs of the candidate. The Indian Government takes care of the airfare expenses to China and back.

Areas of Study – Students applying to 16 different disciplines of Science, Literature & Language, and Humanities & Social Sciences are preferred.

Application Time – Applications for the grant begins in March for the same year.

No. of Seats – There is no specified number of seats for the scholarship. Each offers a different number of scholarships to candidates.

Country of Study – The scheme covers study in China.

Check it out – http://www.csc.edu.cn/laihua/

UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award

Undergraduate

The Award is offered by the University of British Columbia for international students applying to their undergraduate courses. Students who hold an outstanding academic record, and have achievements in the field of Sports, Performing Arts, Debating, etc. are encouraged to apply.

Scholarship Eligibility – A student (only non-Canadian students are eligible) needs to be nominated by the school which s/he currently attends. It should be the student’s first undergraduate degree, and the student should meet all requirements for English Language as well as the program applied for. The student should also demonstrate financial need that would prevent them from pursuing a program of their choice.

Expenses Covered – The scholarship is given based on financial need, and an assessment is made by the university about the financial situation of the candidate. The scholarship can cover tuition fee, as well as living expenses. The Award can be renewed for all three years of undergraduate study provided the student display satisfactory academic performance and financial need.

Areas of Study – The scholarship can be availed by any student who has been admitted to UBC in any undergraduate program.

Application Time – The deadline to complete applications is November for sessions starting the next year.

No. of Seats – There is no specified no. of scholarships mentioned by the university.

Country of Study – The Award is only given to students accepted to the University of British Columbia, Canada.

Check it Out – http://you.ubc.ca/financial-planning/scholarships-awards-international-students/international-scholars/

If you need more help with scholarships, come join us for coffee!

Succeeding at Online Classes

Whether you’re trying to a learn a new skill or gain college credits during the summer, online classes are on a definite rise. However, unlike an offline class, online learning is quite different.  Here are 4 of the best methods to succeed in online classes!

Create a schedule

Once you know your assignments, creating a schedule for the entire semester can help you prioritize what to work on. Mark big projects that will be due by the end of the semester in red. Get started on them from the beginning of the term as you learn content related to the projects.

Avoid procrastination

Don’t wait till the due date to start working on your assignments. Most that fail at distance education do so because they have put off working on what needs to get done until it’s too late. This is easy to do when you don’t regularly have a class to go to, with a teacher reminding you of upcoming deadlines. Learn what motivates you and use it to keep yourself moving at an appropriate pace to complete your courses.

Find an organized quiet place for learning

Treat learning like a job. Minimize distractions. Organize your space so you have all your textbooks, notebooks, and writing tools at hand. Just because you are home and can listen to lectures in your pajamas doesn’t mean you should treat your studies like leisure. Turn off the TV, sit at a desk, and treat yourself like you were sitting in a classroom among your peers.

Get help

You are not in a classroom where you can turn to classmate to ask a question, or raise your hand for clarification. You will need to make an extra effort to get your answers. If you can’t find the answer to a question in the text, don’t be afraid to email your professor and ask. Follow the instructor’s guidelines for communicating with him/her. Usually this is found in the instructor’s syllabus. Understand that it may take time to hear back from the instructor. Use Google to your advantage to find supplemental information for the subject you are learning. There is a host of research information at your fingertips. Utilize it. Ask for a tutor at the first sign of trouble, so you get one assigned before it’s too late.

Online classes are very a convenient however, it’s important to know there are different ways to succeed in online classes. Remember to make a schedule for yourself, have a designated spot for studying, and don’t hesitate to reach out when you have a question.

Comment below with any questions or concerns you might have of online classes.

How to Search for Scholarships for International Students

When considering higher studies abroad, financing your education may be one of the first concerns that come to your mind.  The cost of an education at a top institute abroad can be a deterrent for students.  However, with proper planning and information, hopefully no aspirant will face this predicament and have to compromise on their plans to study aboard. There are multiple types of scholarships available for international students based on different eligibility criteria. They can also be sponsored by a broad range of institutions from universities, the government and private organizations. Here’s a few tips to guide you about scholarships for studying abroad:

• Start early: Applying for a scholarship needs a great deal of groundwork starting with researching the broad range of options, identifying the most appropriate choices, preparing a convincing application and much more! The sooner you start, the better you’ll manage the work load and avoid any last-minute panic situations. We recommend you start at least 3-4 years prior to applying.
• Do your research: Every institution will have its own set of norms and conditions regarding grants and awards. They could be merit-based, need based, subject based, nationality based etc. Consider where you realistically fit in before finalizing your options. One of the best sources of financial aid can be the college you attend, so make sure you thoroughly explore the options they have available and how you can sign up for it.
• Read the fine print: Have a clear understanding of what the scholarship guidelines entail. For example, if I win the scholarship do I need to maintain a minimum GPA. Or does the scholarship only fund tuition or will it cover all expenses associated with study abroad. Are you expected to return back to India after completing the program?  Make sure you read the fine print!
• Polish your writing skills: An exceptionally well written essay will convey the calibre of the writer. Aim to make your write-up near perfect so that you become a natural choice of the scholarship committee. Practice writing every day, focus on your content, argument, organization of ideas, structure and above all grammatical accuracy.

Merit-based Scholarships 

 Are you exceptionally meritorious in studies or blessed with the voice of a nightingale? In either case, you are a strong competitor for the scholarship of excellence that recognizes students with rare talent in academics as well as non-scholastic areas like music, sports, painting, leadership skills etc. A merit based scholarship not only helps you finance your education but also adds an incredible amount of value to your academic and career profile. Some distinguished scholarships under this category are:  Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA): It’s one of the most prestigious scholarships in the field of higher education and research. Only superlative candidates are eligible to apply and enjoy the benefits. The scholarship is awarded to international applicants from various walks of life; you can be a graduate student, a working professional or an artist. The allowance would cover expenses related to tuition, books, travel etc. for the entire tenure of your study. The Fullbright-Nehru Awards are conferred to accomplished academics, professionals and talented students in India to study, research and teach in the US. If you are applying for this award, brace yourself for a rigorous application and interview process. Once you qualify the rounds and get selected, the organization helps you through and through with visa application, obtaining health insurance and a pre-departure orientation. 

The Rhodes Scholarship (UK): Under the program of the Rhodes Scholarship of India, the Rhodes authority offer 5 scholarships to high-calibre students from India chosen on the basis of “exceptional intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service” who would be eligible to pursue further education at the eminent University of Oxford. The grant includes tuition, personal stipend and airfare to Oxford at the beginning of the term and back to your home country at the end of the term.

Need based scholarships

It’s a boon for those in need of financial aid and there are a host of top universities that offer financial help to students, in the league are Harvard, Yale, MIT, Princeton to list a few. There are also several private organizations in collaboration with multinational companies that are providing financial support to students of any nationality aspiring for international education. To illustrate: Harvard has its financial aid program named the ‘Harvard Financial Aid Initiative’ which caters to the financial deficiency of low and middle income group of students. International students receive the same amount of aid as a US students. You have to apply for financial aid with your demonstrated need and family income details for the committee to review. Harvard assures students of a need blind admission procedure and financial support throughout the year. 

Davis United World Colleges Scholars Program: All graduates of United World Colleges (UWC) schools who gain admission on their own merits to selected U.S. colleges or universities qualify for need-based scholarship support through the program. The program currently supports over 2,700 scholars at 94 partner colleges and universities throughout the United States. 

Government of India facilitated International scholarship

Did you know many countries invite Indian students to study in their institutions by offering scholarships? Invitations are sent through the Indian government under Cultural/Educational Exchange programs. The Government advertises the scholarship offers through newspapers, the website of the department of higher education as well as notifies colleges, universities, UGC through circulars. So, keep a tab of the latest updates about the scholarships by checking out the relevant sources.

• The Commonwealth Scholarship (UK): You’ll be excited to learn that it is fully government funded. The grant covers tuition, travel, living cost including spouse and children allowances. The scholarship is awarded in the fields of Engineering and Technology, Science, Agriculture, Humanities and Social Science. That covers almost every field!
• Other countries that offer scholarships on this platform are Commonwealth scholarship by New Zealand, China, Japan, Italy, Mexico and the Presidential Scholarship offered by Sri Lanka.
• Program/Subject specific scholarships: Students can also probe into options for their specific subject or degree of interest.  For instance, if you are eying international law for study abroad, good news for you. The AVVO Scholarship program offers scholarships for JD Law students as well as pre-Law and undergraduate students. Science students be amped up about participating in the Global Science Course (GSC) Undergraduate Transfer Program. The School of Science Scholarship sponsored by Tokyo University is an attempt to bring young science lovers on one platform to harbor great interactions and exchange of ideas.  Likewise, many more subject/program specific scholarships are available that help students to advance their education in the subject field.

The number of scholarships today for international students is baffling. Approach your selection process keeping in mind what your strengths are, which subject is your forte, and what goals you want to achieve. Review every detail from eligibility to the fund amount, and only after you’ve done your due diligence, apply for the scholarship.

5 Tips to Improve Public Speaking

Did you know that, according to Forbes’ magazine, only 10% of the population is highly confident in public speaking? Nearly 80% experience some form of anxiety when they deliver their speech and 10% report being extremely terrified. How can we overcome the fear of public speaking? Here are five common reasons for the lack of confidence. 

Self–consciousness in front of groups

Indeed, many people say “I can speak in front of 4 or 5 people, but a group of 300? Forget it!” The number is too big to handle. One way to improve is to remember that a large audience is made up of individuals. Focus on communicating with your listeners by dividing your audience in groups and talk to the groups. This helps you have better eye contact and improves the quality of your conversation.

Fear of appearing nervous

This can be improved by using the “fake it till you become it” method by Harvard professor Dr. Amy Cuddy. In a TED Talk, Dr. Cuddy noted that body languages affect physiology and have priming effects on behavior. To practice, relax yourself 5-7 minutes, focus on controlling your breathing, and visualize the positive outcome. Tell yourself you can do it! The easiest way to “fake” your emotion when you’re not in a good mood is to practice smiling. A bright and full smile makes it much easier to deal with emotions in almost any situation!

Past failures generate fear

Instead of seeing a past failure as a fear, see it as a trial and learn to improve from it. After delivering any speech, sit down and evaluate yourself. Ask someone who watched your presentation for feedback. Find out what you did well and what needs to be improved. Focus on improvement for future presentations.

Fear that others are judging

Whenever you deliver a presentation, your purpose is to tell others your opinion about an issue. Because it’s an opinion, there will be people who agree or disagree. Listen to those people who give you constructive criticism. You can learn from it and improve.

Poor preparation

Being unprepared practically guarantees a speaker will stumble, forgetting the structure of their speech or the message they want to convey. Good preparation gives you an outline to follow when delivering your speech. It also means practicing thoroughly. You can use note cards for preparation of the speech, but work towards using as few as possible during your actual presentation. Your note cards should have your outline with points and sub–points. They’ll keep you organized during your presentation but won’t be a word-for-word script.

Good luck with public speaking and remember- it’s nothing to fret about!

How do you prepare for public speaking? Please write them in the comments below!

Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Write Your College Essay

Your college essay is an important part of your application. It’s what shows colleges your personality and who you are.

While you may want to relax over the summer before your senior year of high school, it’s also a great time to get started on your college essay. Read on to find out why.

Fewer Distractions

During the summer, you don’t have classes, tests, or homework to deal with. You also have fewer extracurriculars (though you should be doing something meaningful), and no school during the day, unless of course you’re taking college classes.

You might think you don’t have anything to write about in your essays. But now that you have fewer distractions, you can work on developing ideas. Check out our essay writing sub blog for some ideas to get you started—from asking yourself questions about important issues to using powerful rhetoric to express yourself.

Less Pressure

When fall semester rolls around, you’ll be extremely busy. You’ll need to balance apps, classes, and extracurriculars.

But now, you’re not nearly as stressed. “Not stressed” is an ideal condition under which to be writing your essay. You can take your time to thoroughly develop your topic, starting with a brainstorming session to generate ideas, narrowing down your list, and thinking over ways to express your idea thoughtfully. Remember: How you say it is even more important than what you say, so spend some time working on your rhetoric to best convey your experience.

Take the time to work on your college essay while you don’t have these other commitments. You also won’t have to feel rushed.

More Opportunities

Use the summer to go on college tours and narrow down your list—then you’ll know which essays you have to write. You’ll also have time to take notes after your visits and can incorporate them into “why us” essays.

Summer activities can also make great college essay topics. Whether you’re working at an internship, volunteering, or taking college classes, your summer activities likely taught you something about yourself and gave you a new perspective. Take the time to reflect on your experiences and think about what you might write about.

More Comfortable Environment

When you’re in school, you’re more or less stuck in one place. But during the summer, you can go wherever you want to work on your college essay—the library, your backyard, a park bench, or wherever you feel most comfortable. Use the environment to brainstorm and start crafting the essay itself.

More Time

Earlier, we said you’ll be busy when the school year arrives. To reiterate, you’re going to be very busy. You may feel like you don’t have time for everything on your plate.

Now, however, you have all the time in the world. Use it to come up with ideas, develop them, and bounce them off friends and family. Create at least one full draft of your essay, so you can show it to other people and get feedback. If you work on it now, you’ll have time to rework it later.

Get Writing!

Summer is the ideal time to work on your college essay. Even if you don’t finish it, you’ll make major headway and free up time for working on other parts of your applications and school work. Now that you have time and less pressure, you’ll be able to get more done. So get to it!

Making the Most of Your Summer in a College Town

Are you one of the many students planning to remain in your college town for the summer? If so, be aware that the activity slows and boredom can rise. Being in a small town for the summer has its benefits. Here are a few tips for making the most of your summer in a college town.

Seize opportunities to meet new people

Whether you’re staying to take summer classes or to work, it can be difficult to find friends who have also stayed in town. There are a collection of people also facing classes, so it’s an excellent opportunity to make friends. Rather than going home, go get lunch with your research lab partner!

Get outside!

Outside of class or work, it is important to be creative. Take time for exploration. During the school year, it may be difficult to find time to really explore the area. Take a drive, or go to a beach. With the summer sun shining, find a lake, river, or beachfront nearby. Summertime brings opportunity for many activities. Find a friend with a car or take a bus for the weekend to actually  Keep a lookout for school events (there might be plenty options), or even host a potluck barbecue.

Get ahead

Finally, spending the summer in a college town provides you the chance to get ahead. Rather than sitting around with nothing to do, use the time to learn skills that may be useful in the upcoming school year. While campus may be quiet, it will be active again in the fall. Use quiet time now to prepare for the future, so more time can be spent having fun in the school year.

With the right people, and new friends, simple activities become a blast. Even a simple trip to the grocery store can be entertaining. With the proper level of creativity and some new friends, empty college towns can become the foundation for an epic summer.

What are the benefits of taking a gap year?

A year between high school and college, commonly spent traveling, working, or volunteering, is commonly referred to as a gap year. Formerly a popular option for primarily European students, gap years are now increasing in popularity amongst students in India. But why?

For many students and parents, a gap year can sound intimidating at first. Some students worry that college admissions will frown upon their experiences or that they will fall out of sync with a peer group that’s grown comfortable over years of shared academic experiences. Parents might worry that a student will lose interest in college or fall behind academically. Indeed, gap years can be the source of anxiety and even conflict.

In reality, though, a gap year can be a valuable experience in many ways. In fact, some colleges such as Harvard as even encouraging students to defer for a year, providing resources about the benefits of taking a gap year before starting college. In this post, we’ll outline the eight pros of taking a gap year. 

So, what are the benefits?  

There are myriad reasons to postpone starting college directly after high school.

1. Financial reasons often compel students to take a gap year. If you anticipate a change in your family’s financial situation that would significantly increase your financial aid award, or take your extra year to work and save money, it can go a long way in making your education more affordable. Some students even take a gap year because they’ve been offered a unique employment opportunity that they won’t be able to accept later in their educational career.
2. Health. Another reason to take an extra year between high school and college is your or a family member’s health. If you have chronic health concerns, taking a gap year can allow you to learn how to best manage your illness or recover without the stress of moving and classes. If a family member is ill, taking the year off to spend time with or serve as an aid to them is also a common decision.
3. Personal Circumstances. There are also many personal reasons that one might choose to take a gap year separate from immediate, necessary concerns like finances or illness. Many students do choose to travel in the year before they start school, as once they’ve started studying, their summers are likely to be filled with work or internships. This travel isn’t always purely recreational, either; students can apply for grants to conduct research at home or abroad.
4. Pursuing Interests. Gap years can also be a great time to devote yourself to volunteering, finally finish your list of books to read, or thoroughly reflect upon your personal and career goals. Usually, students have very little free time in high school to pursue pursuits other than academics or their extracurriculars, and those who take a gap year have a chance to explore their interests to a degree that wouldn’t be possible while in high school and probably wouldn’t be possible in college, either. For those who are unsure about their major or career path, gap years afford an excellent opportunity to carefully consider and create an academic and professional plan.
5. Burnout/Buffer Year. Some students choose to take a gap year even if they don’t fall into any of the above categories; the period between high school and college marks a major transition and a huge increase in responsibility, and there are students that just prefer to enjoy another year of freedom. Most, if not all colleges will allow you to postpone your first semester by one or sometimes two years if you choose without having to worry about reapplying. Many high school students, especially those who are ultra-competitive, feel burnt-out after high school. Four years of rigorous studies, sports teams, academic competitions, and college applications take a toll, and some can seriously benefit from taking a year to decompress. If you feel you’d benefit from another year or two to mature, learn, and explore without the pressure of a competitive university environment, you might benefit from taking a gap year.

Need more guidance? Go read our gap year blog!

What Is the Highest SAT Score You Can Get?

Over the years, the SAT has changed both significantly and repeatedly. The CollegeBoard, who oversees the test, has continually updated it in an effort to reflect changing educational standards. The one constant since its inception is its intent—to assess the career and college-readiness of high school students.

In March of 2016, a new iteration of the test was introduced, signaling a significant change in its scoring formula. This change is important to note because a score that would have been considered below average on the previous scale may now qualify as highly impressive. Without an in-depth understanding of the changes, some students may be confused. It’s no wonder that we often hear the question, “What is the highest SAT score I can get?”

To learn more about the highest SAT score possible and how to maximize your chances of earning one, don’t miss this important post.

What Is the Scoring Scale for the SAT?

As of 2016, the SAT consists of two required sections and one optional section. The required sections are Writing and Language, and Math. The optional section is the Essay.

The required sections are divided into two overall section scores. Students receive a section score in Writing and Language ranging from 200-800, and students receive another section score in Math ranging from 200-800. These two scores are added together to create a student’s composite score. This means that for the required sections of the SAT, the maximum score you can receive is a 1600, which would indicate perfect scores of 800 on each of the required sections.

The optional Essay section is scored separately. For students who choose to take this part of the test, another score will be provided ranging from 6-24. Each essay is scored by two scorers on three dimensions. Each scorer grades the essay on a scale of 1-4 in each dimension, meaning that each scorer can award up to 12 points total. For a student who receives the top score of 4 on each dimension from both scorers, the perfect score of 24 can be achieved

Do I Have to Get Every Question Right to Get the Highest SAT Score Possible?

Many students assume that they need to get every single question on the SAT correct if they want to receive a perfect score, but the reality is a little different. In fact, a raw score, meaning the number of questions answered correctly, is something a little different from the final converted score.

Raw scores are converted onto a scale from 400-1600 during a process called equating. Equating takes into account the specific difficulty of each version of the test. Because several different test forms are given at each test administration, the specific equating process for your test will depend on the specific version of the test that you took, and it may be different than the equating process applied to the tests of people sitting next to you.

While some SAT tests are definitely more difficult than others, in general the variation is fairly small and the equating process does not differ hugely from one test to another. You can get a better idea of the exact process by reviewing the scoring procedure for official SAT practice tests prepared by the College Board. 

How Can I Maximize My SAT Score?

Most students want to receive the highest SAT score that they’re capable of achieving. This means that if you’re like most students, you’ll need to put some work into planning an SAT study schedule and sourcing study materials that are both challenging and useful.

While some students might believe that they don’t need to start studying until a few months before the test, we recommend that you lay the foundation for SAT success much earlier. Though many students who start later ultimately perform well, there is no harm in getting a head start.

We recommend building general SAT-relevant skills like writing, vocabulary, and basic algebra beginning during your freshman or sophomore year of high school. Then, when you reach junior year, you can focus more earnestly on SAT-specific content and strategies. 

Still need SAT advice? Check out our  SAT prep sub blog