Cumberland County Schools prepares its students to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) as a means to measure their academic preparedness for post-secondary studies.  Most colleges use the SAT as part of their admission process.  The SAT measures a student’s academic skills that have been developed over a period of time, not just during their high school years. 

The SAT now is a three-part assessment, consisting of mathematics, critical reading and writing.  The mathematics section gives the student an opportunity to show their understanding of mathematical concepts through multiple choice and student produced response questions.  The critical reading section of the SAT gives the student a chance to show how well he or she comprehends what they have read.  The writing section gives the student the opportunity to present and support a point of view on a specific issue.  While the essay isn’t expected to be a finished product, it should present the student’s thoughts in a clear and concise manner in a first draft format. 

Schools use a variety of strategies to help their students prepare to take the SAT.  Check with your child’s school for the various strategies they use to prepare their students to take the SAT.

A very useful web site for more information on SAT Prep information is the College Board Web Site at www.collegeboard.com