Belgian and Luxembourgish students wishing to enter an American college or university must arrange to take one of the two basic standardized tests by the last year of their secondary studies. These standardized tests, which are also required of American high school students, include the ACT and the SAT. Your score on these tests will be considered by colleges in the admissions process, along with your secondary school records, your personal statement and letters of recommendation, and numerous other intangible factors.
Since both tests are now universally accepted by universities in the U.S., students usually can choose which test to take.
SAT
The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test), or SAT General Test, is a multiple choice exam that assesses whether students possess the necessary verbal and quantitative skills to succeed in university-level studies. It assesses the student’s skills in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. There is also an optional SAT essay for students applying to colleges and universities that want to see a writing score.
Components
- Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
- Math
- Essay (optional)
The SAT Mathematics section of the test consists of 58 questions in the following topics: Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, Passport to Advanced Math, and other topics. The SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the test includes both a 52-question Reading Test (with passages from U.S. and World Literature, History/Social Studies, and Science) and a 44-question Writing and Language Test (with passages on Careers, History/Social Studies, Humanities, and Science). There is no Science component to the SAT General Test.
Total testing time
3 hours (plus 50 minutes for the optional essay).
Exam type
Multiple choice.
Important features
- Focus on the knowledge, skills, and understandings that research has identified as most important for college and career readiness and success
- Greater emphasis on the meaning of words in extended contexts and on how word choice shapes meaning, tone, and impact
- Rights-only scoring (no penalty for guessing)
Score reporting
- Scale ranging from 400 to 1600
- Scale ranging from 200 to 800 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing; 200 to 800 for Math; 2 to 8 on each of three dimensions for Essay
- Essay results reported separately
How to study
Free preparation materials can be found here: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/study-guide-students
Official SAT Practice via Khan Academy is free for all students: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/khan-academy
Official preparation books can also be borrowed at our EducationUSA Advising Center in Brussels for a refundable deposit of 20 euros per book.
Taking the test
The SAT is owned and administered by the College Board and also administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) on behalf of the College Board. The SAT General Test is available worldwide. In Belgium, the paper-delivered SAT is offered year-round at the International School of Brussels or Antwerp International School and in Luxembourg at the International School of Luxembourg. In order to find a test date and to register, you will need to create a College Board account online and follow the instructions on the official website of the College Board.
Required or not
Most colleges require you to take one of the most common tests, the SAT or the ACT. For the most part, admissions tests like the ACT and/or SAT are required of all foreign students. The most important thing to remember is not to worry too much about them! The results of these tests are only one element in your application. Admissions officers realize that foreign students generally have lower verbal scores than American students and will be more interested in your academic results than in the results of these standardized tests.
More information
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/
SAT Subject Tests
The SAT Subject Test measures specific knowledge of a particular field of study. Unlike the SAT General Test, it is used to highlight skills in a specific area and help you stand out from other applicants by showing how knowledgeable you are in a specific discipline.
Components
20 SAT Subject Tests are available in the five general categories below and they each consist of a different testing structure:
- English
- History
- Languages
- Mathematics
- Science
Total testing time
1 hour per subject test.
Exam type
Multiple choice.
Score reporting
Every Subject Test yields a total score on a 200 to 800 score scale.
How to study
A list of both free and paid preparation materials can be found via the link below. https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-subject-tests/about/how-to-prepare
Official preparation books can also be borrowed at our EducationUSA Advising Center in Brussels for a refundable deposit of 20 euros per book.
Taking the test
The SAT Subject Tests are offered at paper-delivered test centers in most countries at least five times each year. In Belgium, the paper-delivered SAT Subject Tests are offered at the International School of Brussels or Antwerp International School and in Luxembourg at the International School of Luxembourg. In order to find a test date and to register, you will need to create a College Board account online and follow the instructions on the official website of the College Board.
Required or not
Depending on your area of study, some undergraduate programs will require or recommend that you take an SAT Subject Test for admission consideration.
More information
