HOW TRUE IS THIS[SAT vs GCSE & A-Level]

International Students
1

<p>From the website : American</a> SAT Content vs British GCSE | Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions</p>

<hr>

<p>SAT Math
The SAT Reasoning Test includes math content that’s roughly equivalent to GCSE-level Maths. However, the test does include some math content that is not tested at GCSE level. These topics include:</p>

<p>Functions
Permutations and Combinations
Sets
These topics are equivalent to 45 points on the SAT scoring scale (from 200 to 800). Kaplan has calculated this based on their frequency in released SAT exams.</p>

<p>You'll learn and revise all SAT math material in Kaplan's SAT prep course. You’ll also need strategies to be able to maximize your points in each math section of the SAT (there are 3 or 4 math sections on every SAT test) and the questions are very different from those you will be used to working with in school.</p>

<p>SAT Critical Reading
The SAT Reasoning Test is designed to test reading comprehension and vocabulary in context. Thus, GCSE-level English is good preparation for this portion of the exam. However, you should practice extensively, so that you are prepared to budget time for the lengthy passages and can maximize your points on the 3 or 4 Critical Reading sections on every SAT test.</p>

<p>SAT Writing
The SAT Reasoning Test includes a written essay (25 minutes) plus 2 or 3 multiple choice Writing sections. The multiple choice sections will test your knowledge of standard English grammar and style. Technically, this is American English, so students may have trouble with the occasional idiom. But a background in grammar is essential. This is reviewed extensively in the Kaplan course.</p>

<p>Biology, Chemistry, Physics
These tests cover a mix of GCSE and AS-level curricula. Students who have not studied a subject beyond GCSE level may have trouble with one of these tests.</p>

<p>Literature
This test should be relatively straightforward for anyone who has a GCSE in English. Questions focus on literary analysis (of poems and extracts from fiction and non-fiction sources). Remember, there’s no essay component – all questions are multiple-choice. There are also no knowledge-based questions, eg, you won’t be asked to identify the authors of literary works.</p>

<hr>

<p>also is a course in additional mathematics good enough for Sat Math2</p>

<p>I am in Jamaica, this our syllabus---> <a href="http://addmaths.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/45090226/Add%20Maths%20Syllabus%20CSEC.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://addmaths.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/45090226/Add%20Maths%20Syllabus%20CSEC.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

2

<p>Absolutely straightforward.
Anybody who has done Gcse English and Math can easily get a 2400.
I think Math Level II SAT II is the only hard stuff, but anybody who is doing A Level Maths should do pretty well. You can PM me for details, I can’t post the links here.</p>

3

<p>I’m not sure what the point of this thread is?</p>

<p>If you’re asking if the GSCEs and the SAT are similar, then they certainly share traits, but the tests serve different purposes. I’m not too sure about content because I’m not familiar with the GSCEs, but from your post it sounds like you’re stating what’s harder about the SAT?</p>

<p>But back to the OP, if you’re so worried about the SAT, you should buy the review books (it sounds like you’re taking a prep class?) and take lots of practice tests. Read a lot to improve your vocabulary, or there are places where you can find SAT vocabulary and you can study those.</p>

<p>Also I disagree with the above poster, it is very difficult for anyone to get a 2400 on the SAT due to the simple fact that everything about the test is designed to trick the test taker. One would have to be incredibly meticulous and have a large vocabulary to guarantee a 2400. But I’m sure the mathematics and the grammar are covered in the GSCEs, as they are covered even in American high schools.</p>

<p>I’ve never seen a chance thread where an international student had a 2400, even from the Asian countries where all the kids do is study and prepare for the SAT if they want to go to American universities. All of the math on the regular SAT is relatively easy to learn. I don’t know about math level 2, you’d probably get better help asking on the subject test subforum.</p>

4

<p>Well, it is relatively easier for those who do gcse’s because they are accustomed to such problems, I think I needed to have added the word effort.
I believe the OP wanted to know which courses could prepare him for which test and not whats harder or easier.</p>

5

<p>I’m also not sure what the point of this question is. The OP is Jamaican, but which exams are you planning to take?</p>

<p>Remember that GCSEs are taken in the UK by students aged 15-16, that have two more years of secondary school before university. SATs are taken in the USA by students ages 17-18, that are about to finish secondary school (UK students this age are instead taking A levels). So basically, a 16 year old Brit has learned as much as an 18 year old yank.</p>

<p>Someone who did well on GCSEs would probably do well on SATs, yes.</p>

<p>But also remember that the “English” portion of the SAT is on the AMERICAN dialect of English, not the British dialect. Thus, spelling, grammar, and definitions of words are slightly different from British usage.</p>

<p>KEVP</p>

6

<p>@Ppaayas >to know which courses could prepare him for which test < EXACTLY</p>

<p>@TheRealKEVP—the English speaking Caribbean/Jamaican system ie cxc = roughly the same as the British ie gcse
.</p>

7

<p>So Karl000 is a Jamaican student, planning to take SATs to enter college in the United States. Not really the focus of this area of cc, since this area is “United Kingdom”.</p>

<p>Kaplan is a very succesful test preparation service, I think you can trust their information, and what you have written makes sense to me–I took both SATs and also the predecessor to GCSEs, “O-levels”.</p>

<p>It would help if we knew WHAT SAT’s you are taking. Are you taking just the basic “SAT” or are you taking SAT subject tests? The Kaplan site has information about both.</p>

<p>If you are just taking the basic “SAT”, then I agree with people who say you can buy books in the US that are specifically SAT preparation guides. Make sure you get an up-to-date one because there can be changes to the test every year.</p>

<p>KEVP</p>

8

<p>I did GCSE English, got an A*, and no, it does not prepare you for SAT Critical Reading. It gives you a base, but that’s it. There is a lot of vocab to cram for SAT, and many times the questions have 2 answers that are only subtly different, and you have to be very careful to get which one is the right answer.</p>

<p>PPayas, you are wrong. If everyone who had good grades in GCSEs found it relatively easier, all of my friends would have had 2200+ scores. So, judging from a sample group of about 50-60 people, you are wrong.</p>

9

<p>@theunforgiven</p>

<p>What was your sat grade(s) and vocab bk did you use?</p>

10

<p>I got a 2230, first time (without preparing much). Didn’t bother sitting for a second time. because my score was at the 98th percentile in my country.</p>

<p>I didn’t use a vocab book. I did a lot of CR exercises, and marked all new words in a note book and crammed the meanings. It was easier to study because I actually remembered what context I read that word in.</p>

<p>PS During the actual test, I found only 2 words in total that I didn’t know the meanings of, so I dunno if I got really lucky or if my method was good.</p>

11

<p>@theunforgiven</p>

<p>CR exercises …from which bk(s)?</p>

12

<p>I did CR exercises from Offical SAT, Princeton Review and Kaplan. And anything and everything I found online. Just look, and you’ll find plenty of resources.</p>