The SAT is the standardized college entrance examination given to all U.S. high school students seeking admission to a university. The test includes a critical reading and writing sections and a mathematics section. While the test can be very difficult, the good news is that you can study for it. With adequate preparation, doing well on the test is a strong possibility.
University admission boards generally look at your four years of high school grades to decipher whether you could succeed in their collegiate program. While many schools remain silent on how much weight is allotted to your GPA, or grade point average, it is commonly assumed that the SAT and GPA share the same level of importance.
Universities look for students that go the extra mile in trying to achieve success in all walks of life. Joining the math, reading or creative-writing clubs, for example, looks excellent on your application. Any after-school or weekend activity that accentuates your ambitions is an asset to your profile.
Most universities require you to write an essay on a certain subject as part of your application. This subject may be why you want to attend the school in question or what you intend to study. This is your time to really shine and differentiate yourself from the other applicants. If you share an interesting story, or upbringing, that relates to your intended career path, the board will generally view your application more favorably.