EF Students React to the SATs

Students across the United States and at international schools like EF Academy are taking the SAT, one of the most significant standardized tests of their academic careers. On April 14th, EF Academy hosted the SAT for 11th graders and the PSAT for 10th graders, marking an important stage in students’ academic journey. Students reflected and shared their experiences of the test day, offering personal insights into the day and additional information about their preparation.

The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test for college admission in the United States. It assesses a student’s readiness for college-level coursework in the areas of reading, writing, and math. The test is designed to provide colleges and universities with a standard way to assess students’ academic skills and potential for success in college.

The SAT was created in 1926 by the College Board, an American nonprofit organization, and the test has gone through many changes over the years. It initially concentrated mostly on verbal reasoning and logic, but it later expanded to include math, reading, and writing sections. In 2005, the essay section was added, and in 2016, the test was redesigned to focus more on practical skills. Since 2024, the SAT is completely digital, and the digital system has made it easier and quicker to take.

The SAT is mainly used in the United States by colleges and universities to help decide admission. Many schools consider SAT scores in addition to grades, essays, and extracurricular activities when selecting students. However, it’s not limited to the United States; some international universities also recognize SAT scores in Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and other nations.

Colleges in the United States and a few other nations now use the SAT to help them make admission decisions. Many students continue to take it to strengthen their applications, even though not all universities require it now. The SAT is frequently taken by students at international schools like EF Academy who wish to go to American or international universities.

For EF Academy’s 11th graders, the April 14th SAT was a major academic event for them. Some students felt the pressure of the test day, while others were taking it as an opportunity to assess their readiness for college.

Jerry, an 11th grader, described the SAT as “long but manageable.” After taking the test, he said he felt “a mix of relief and uncertainty.” The reading section, in particular, was the most difficult part for him. “It requires so much concentration, and answering all the questions in 32 minutes, including the long passage, was very difficult,” he said.

He prepared through a weekly tutoring class and practiced with the digital mock exam that the College Board offers. He shared that the pressure of college admissions made the experience stressful. “It’s hard not to feel the pressure,” he said. “But I try to remind myself that it’s just one part of my whole application.”

Juha, an 11th grader, shared that she was “exhausted” after the test but believes that she did better than she was expecting. She studied mostly on her own, using SAT prep books and watching strategy videos online. “I set a weekly goal for how many questions to complete,” she mentioned. For her, the biggest challenge was balancing the preparation for the SAT with schoolwork, but she added, “It takes planning, but it’s doable.”

“It’s definitely stressful,” she said, “but it’s also an opportunity for me to grow.” She added that “it’s not just about the score. It’s about learning how to handle pressure and keep moving forward.”

Ingram, an 11th grader, felt “tired” after taking the exam. He thought the test was “very hard,” especially for the English section. However, he does not feel any stress toward the SAT since he knows that he has “more other chances.”

He mentioned the importance of not putting too much pressure on a single test. “The SAT is important, but it’s not everything,” he said. “You can always improve, and colleges look at more than just your scores.” He advised other students to focus on learning and steady progress rather than perfection. “Stress won’t help. What helps is preparation in a way that works for you,” he added.

He studies for the SAT using both online classes and studying by myself. “I like having classes since they are very helpful, but I also review materials and practice questions on my own,” he said. This combination allows him to “stay on track.”

Jerry’s advice for next year’s juniors is to “start practicing early so you can be prepared and stay calm, especially when taking the exam.” He insisted that “preparing earlier will be less stressful” since he is currently “regretting” how he did not start studying earlier, and now managing school work and the SAT preparation is becoming “stressful.”

Yuto, an 11th grader who also took the SAT, shared insights based on his preparation experience. Yuto said that although the SAT was “challenging,” he thought it was manageable with the right mindset and preparation. He emphasized the importance of understanding the test format and building strategies that work for each individual. “Rather than just memorizing, I focused on learning how to think through questions efficiently,” he said.

He prepared by combining official College Board practice resources with self-set goals and consistent review. “Taking full-length practice tests really helped me get used to the timing,” he explained. The advice he would like to give to next year’s juniors is to “start early, stay consistent, and don’t let one bad practice test discourage you,” since “improvement takes time.”

As the SAT and PSAT become important events for most high school students, the experience at EF Academy highlights both the challenges and growth that come with test preparation. For 11th graders, the April 14th SAT marked more than just an exam. It was a step forward in their academic journey, in order to prepare for the future, pushing themselves to manage time and build confidence. Whether students study independently or in online classes, their reflections show that success is not just about test scores. It is about perseverance, self-reflection, and constant preparation. EF academy students are learning not only how to take the test, but also how to face academic challenges with purpose and persistence.