<p>I was wondering how SAT scores from foreign applicants are rated. Sure, math is pretty much the same worldwide, but both the Critical Reading and Writing sections are considerably more difficult for people who are not native speakers. Do you think this is taken into account by colleges? For example, a 2000 score might be mediocre when you're American and native speaker, whereas the same score might be quite an achievement for somebody who learned English in school, but never had to use it.
What do you think?</p>
<p>yes, they do take it into consideration, however, remember that there are quite a few of non-native speakers who learn the huge lists of words and get 800. It cant really be said whether this really gives them a significant advantage or not but it's worth considering.</p>
<p>I'm one of those people who learn the huge lists ;) Well, it's not really huge, 500 words. But during the practice tests, I still come across a lot of unknown words, many of which I haven't even seen or heard before. And I would consider my vocabulary far above average (at least for a non-native speaker).</p>
<p>well I wouldn't really worry too much about it, as long as you are getting near the range for the colleges you are looking at, they will excuse you because you are a foreign speaker to a certain amount. It's only really a problem if it's a huge drop say, 780M, 540CR or 580 W. But i think with a reasonable amount of work this can be solved.Have u tried collegeboard on-line course, cus it has full explanations for all the practice questions, definitely helped me to improve my writing significantly. (only got 1 MC wrong on the real thing, the on-line course really helped)</p>
<p>I found the top 500 words very helpful</p>
<p>Just a note of caution here. Because the International pool is so very strong, there will be a very large number of people who, despite being Internationals do score above 2200-2300 on the SAT. It depends upon where you are applying. If it's to a slightly lower tier of colleges, then fine, you will get some allowance as an International. But the very top colleges get more than enough Internationals with just about perfect SAT scores that they don't really need to make any allowance for low scores.</p>
<p>i agree with the post by Shrivats. Now, more and more intl applicants are applying with very strong SATs. but i think 2000ish SAT score wont hurt one's chances at ranked 20 and after school alot.. as long as intl students have solid GPA and EC ....</p>
<p>I second the previous 2 posts.
I'd say good colleges have high expectations from their
international applicants. It is VITAL to have VERY high
SAT scores. Of course there are no rules, cases exist when
people with 1950+ enter Harvard, but you cannot rely on
such a weak possibility. Do your best on preparing for the
test, learn the list of words and practice some essays and
you will be just fine.</p>
<p>I'll give you some pieces of advice:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Be very attentive at Math (I started with the easier part)</p></li>
<li><p>Learn the trick for CR. I found out that the best tactic for
CR is to note down some ideas or random words about the
text you are reading right next to it. It will actually save you
time. I always used to reread the texty 3-4 times while
answering the questions, because I could never keep my
attention up and remember what the full message was, but
after writing some ideas on the margins, I had a much better
idea about what the text was about and finished the
questions in time. Got a 760 score with not much of talent in
English.</p></li>
<li><p>Btw, the list is 3500 words long (the one from Barrons'). I
suggest you DO LEARN this bigger list, you'll find out
some cool stuff, have a good vocabulary and understand
what class books tell you when in college. I personally think
that if you memorate the words, you'll end up with 750+
easily in CR. I actually have a friend who was not too good
at English, I don't even think she took benefice of private
lessons, as everybody else does and scored an 800 by
learning the list in a month or so. I used the classic cards to
memorate the words and asked some of my friends to check
my knowledge of the words and make different associations
(aka mnemonics) so that I clould find the meaning when I
had no idea.</p></li>
<li><p>Learn what a 5 paragraph essay is, and make sure you
have topics to discuss about from various fields and
life/success/feelings vs. logical reasoning topics before
entering the the examination center. Grammar was a bit hard
for me, I didn't always got the right answer; I think this is
something to be really worked on if you want a high score.</p></li>
<li><p><a href="http://www.sparknotes.com%5B/url%5D">www.sparknotes.com</a> has great notes about all the
sections and for SAT Subjects too. Plus, if you register with
various email addresses, you can take all their tests for free
(I took addresses from my yahoo messenger list) </p></li>
<li><p>Take the test again if your scores are average. Take it as
many times as you need to jump over 2200 and get as close
as possible to 2400!</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I know this is a very long list, but I strongly advise you to
take into account my two cents. Believe me, it is not hard to
score high even as in international once you get accustomed
to the test and practice enough.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>And there are international students like me who were taught in English all their lives and don't need to learn long lists of words to get an 800 on the CR section. I did.</p>
<p>I'd agree with TheOneCurlyFry, learning lists of words is a bit pointless. Everyone I know who's got an 800 in CR has done so without ever looking at the flash cards... (including me :p)</p>
<p>SAT scores aren't everything. I spent a good part of my senior year obsessing about scores, GPA, ECs, essays. Now, I feel like I wasted a lot of time I could've used to do something more productive. The only thing that matters is whether you gave it your best shot or not. If you did, then, barring poor college choices, you will get in somewhere excellent. </p>
<p>Remember, do your best and just forget about it. There's more to life than college admissions.</p>
<p>You're my hero Lakshya!</p>
<p>awelex, if you think you would not do too well on the SAT check out the ACT. Its English section tests grammar instead of vocab. I took the ACT and did really well on it.</p>
<p>Rule of Thumb at top notch universities. </p>
<p>1) SAT scores dont get you in by themselves, they get you consideration
2) A BAD SAT is only one negative factor, not a deal breaker. </p>
<p>The above rule APPLIES ONLY TO TOP 10.</p>
<p>
[quote]
SAT scores aren't everything. I spent a good part of my senior year obsessing about scores, GPA, ECs, essays. Now, I feel like I wasted a lot of time I could've used to do something more productive. The only thing that matters is whether you gave it your best shot or not. If you did, then, barring poor college choices, you will get in somewhere excellent.</p>
<p>Remember, do your best and just forget about it. There's more to life than college admissions.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Easy to say AFTER you got into Duke and JHU and all that. I'm sure your obsessing did do some good.</p>
<p>I got a 1960 (720M, 620CR, 620W) on my SAT, and 720IIC 760Chem 710Bio... but I got 297/300 on the TOEFL, so that probably helped a lot for my kinda lower CR score. I graduated second in a class of 160, in Venezuela.</p>
<p>I got in UPenn, Columbia, Tufts and Johns Hopkins... rejected at Princeton. So really, my scores weren't that amazing and I got in a bunch of amazing schools. So don't stress about it that much - just make sure your essays and recommendations are stellar.</p>