Acing the SAT

While colleges consider a variety of criteria when determining admissions—GPA, letters of recommendations, extra-curricular activities, and so forth—having an excellent SAT score can make a difference in your success.

Because applicants come from diverse backgrounds, SAT scores are sometimes the only means of accurate comparisons among candidates. This means if two people seem equally promising, the one with the better SAT score may have the advantage.

The SAT is 3 hours and 45 minutes long and tests the same material each time. This indicates two things: there is a lot to prepare for and the skills tested can be practiced and improved upon. Being familiar with the types of questions asked and how much time you have to answer them can boost your confidence and, more importantly, your score.

Our SAT instructors are excellent teachers. They spend time tailoring each lesson depending on the strengths and weaknesses of each class. They are patient and clear when explaining tactics and strategies. Most importantly, they can teach you skills the SAT always tests.

At the Olin Center we provide three free hours of essay assistance. It’s important to have an impartial observer, someone besides a parent or a friend, look over your writing. Often, working one-on-one with an experienced and qualified writer can help you refine and hone your essay until it becomes better than you ever thought it could be.

Admissions counselors often comment that many applicants miss an important opportunity to impress them. The admissions essay is an integral part of the applications process: it allows students to discuss their interests, goals, and dreams. More importantly, it’s a chance for a student to demonstrate why he or she would be a great candidate for that particular school.

The SAT test

Section                            Time                    Question Types

Writing                             25 min                  Essay, Grammar, usage, word

                                           35 min                  choice

Critical Reasoning      25 min                     Reading   Comprehension,

                                        25 min                     Sentence Completion,

                                        20 min                     Critical Reasoning

Math                               25 min                     Multiple Choice,

                                        25 min                     Student-produced Responses

                                        20 Minutes

“Trial” Section            20 Minutes              Varies

Reading Comprehension 

                                       10 minutes             Multiple Choice

The essay always occurs first, and the Reading Comprehension last. All other sections may occur in any order, including the 25 minute Trial Section.

Olin Center courses
The Olin Center offers a full 30 hours of in-class time in our part-time classes.  Classes take you through the content and strategies you need to answer the math and verbal questions on the SAT; Classes offered in preparation for the new SAT include supplemental math, grammar, and writing skills.

Our classes are small, with a maximum of ten students per room. In workshops, we teach you everything you need to know to take the SAT, both content and strategy.

Tests and materials

As part of the course, each student takes two diagnostic exams. In addition, all students receive:

• The Official Guide to the SAT
• Olin Center supplemental materials
• Access to dozens of additional tests and drills, in addition to eight official SAT practice tests. 
• Up to one year of admission to our resource library containing numerous references on how to choose and apply to college.

Best of all, the Olin Center offers three hours of  assistance with application essays free of charge to every student in our class. Please call the Olin Center for details on this unique opportunity.

Our Guarantee

for Part-time courses only*

We strive to offer educational programs of the highest quality to our participants.  We expect that you will improve your test score substantially.  If, at the end of the course, you feel you need additional instruction in the particular test preparation area you chose, we will give you credit to attend a subsequent seminar for up to a year free of charge.

* Repeat policy does not apply to international students, non-native English speakers, students enrolled in ESL or TOEFL classes, or students in one-on-one tutoring.

Best value

Shop around and compare what the competition offers. Compare class hours, available materials, and guarantees. You will see why our students have said that the Olin Center offers the best value in test preparation anywhere.

SAT program for high schools

The Olin Center offers group SAT program for high school students both on site and at the Olin Center.   Classes can be arranged to meet on Saturdays or weekdays.  Special Group rate is available for SAT program.  Please contact the Olin Center for more details.

Email: info@olincenter.com


Learn more about GMAT, GRE, LSAT, TOEFL

To register for the SAT exam visit www.collegeboard.com