The Standardised Admissions Test (SAT) is for students who have gone through the US curriculum. It is actually not compulsory for students to take this test, but it is highly encouraged as part of college/university admissions.
As some background information, the High School diploma obtained by US high school students is actually equivalent to the British A Level. This is because US high school students graduate at the age of 18. In a way, it is almost like they’ve completed their pre-university, or foundational course. The SAT is recognised not only in the US, but in the UK and Australia as well.
With the US curriculum, it is actually the credits gained along the way that really matter. Without the credits, one cannot pass high school. While the British system mostly tracks progress through tiered exams, the US system aims to monitor students throughout the year with tests and quizzes in class.
These may differ according to the actual syllabus, but by and large, the US system focuses on getting students to show their teachers what they’ve learned without relying too much on exams. Instead, there is a regimen that includes projects, homework, classwork and participation.
The SAT is a standardised test that measures a student’s skills in three core areas: Critical Reading, Math, and Writing. It is a multiple-choice test created and administered by the College Board. The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student’s readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants.
College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside the student’s Grade Point Average, the classes taken in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays.