All About SAT Exam 2023 You Need to Know

What is the SAT?

SAT stands for Scholastic Aptitude Test. It is a standardized test that is designed to evaluate the reading, writing, and mathematical aptitude of the candidates. SAT exam is managed by The College Board and is usually taken by the high school students while applying to colleges. The final score of the SAT exam is under the range of 400 to 800. The written essay section is an optional part of the SAT, which is required by some selective colleges.  

There are no specific eligibility criteria stated by The College Board for taking the SAT. The official schedule of the essential SAT dates is released early in the year, and tests are scheduled on Saturdays. The number of applicants in the Fall session is much higher than the rest of the year because admissions are open in almost all of the international educational institutes. 

How much does it cost to take the SAT? 

  • The fee for SATs varies from country to country.
  • General SAT with written essay cost $106. 
  • General SAT without essay costs $94.
  • SAT with subject tests cost approximately $111.
  • In Indian currency, the fee of the SAT exam is about 6000-7000 INR. 

What is the format of SAT? 

SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject tests are conducted by The College Board. There is a specific pattern set by The College Board, which should be kept in mind by the applicants to make sure they are able to score maximum marks on the tests.  

There are two sets of exams in SAT, which are SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Test. Usually, most universities accept SAT Reasoning Test during the admission process. While SAT Subject Test might be required by a few universities to ensure the applicants have enough knowledge in a particular subject.

Pattern of SAT Reasoning Test 

The essay portion of the SAT exam is optional, as some universities need it as part of the academic records, while the majority do not. You get the admission eligibility criteria from the universities you are applying to determine whether you need to take the essay test.   

Topic Number of Questions Duration (minutes) 
Reading 52 65 
Writing & Language 44 35 
Mathematics 58 80 
Essay (optional) 01 50 
Total 155 230 

SAT Subject Test Exam Pattern

The SAT Subject Test is meant to assess the knowledge of the applicants in a specific subject. 

  • The total marks of an SAT Subject Test are 800.
  • 20 subjects are available for testing from The College Board.
  • The total duration is 1 hour. 
  • Most commonly, subjects like Maths I, Maths II, Chemistry, Biology are taken as Sat Subject Test. However, other subjects, like German, Physics, French, Chinese with Listening, among many others, are also available.

What is a good score on SAT exam for the top 15 colleges?

There is no specific SAT score, which is deemed good for the admission in universities and colleges. No official scores or percentiles are released by the leading universities and colleges, so there is no specific SAT score, which can be called the threshold of the admission. Such criteria keep on changing every year due to various factors like the number of students applying to a specific program, the overall academic records of the applicants, and other factors. However, on average and smart calculations, the following score is considered to be good for the top 15 colleges:

Institutes SAT Scores 
Princeton University 1430-1570 
Harvard University 1480-1560 
Yale University 1420-1590 
Columbia University 1490-1590 
Stanford University 1510-1580 
University of Chicago 1490-1560 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1510-1580 
Duke University 1490-1560 
University of Pennsylvania 1420-1550 
California Institute of Technology 1530-1590 
Johns Hopkins University 1460-1580 
Dartmouth College 1420-1560 
Northwestern University 1420-1560 
Brown University 1405-1570 
Cornell University 1390-1550 

Your definitive guide to Study Abroad in USA

How many times can you take SAT exams? 

To make it easy for the applicants to get admission to their dream university by securing high marks in SAT, The College Board allows candidates to take the SAT Exam as many times as they want. It means the candidates can keep improving their marks as much as they want.  

What are SAT Subject Tests?

Highly-selective colleges require applicants to take at least two SAT Subject Tests to demonstrate their ability to study in challenging programs. The SAT Subject Tests offered by The College Board are: 

  • SAT Biology E/M to evaluate the applicant’s knowledge of general concepts of Biology. 
  • SAT Chemistry to check your ability to organize and interpreting results of different observations and experiments.
  • SAT Physics to assess the ability to solve problems related to laws of physics, simple algebra, trigonometric problems, and graphical relations.
  • SAT U.S History to test the knowledge of applicants about the history, geography, and major developments in USA history.
  • SAT World History to evaluate the candidate’s understanding of the major events in global history and the basic terminologies.
  • SAT Literature checks reading and interpretation skills. 
  • SAT Math I include algebra, basic statistics, number theory, trigonometry, and geometry.
  • SAT Math II evaluates advanced mathematical concepts.
  • Foreign Languages like French, Germany, Spanish, Hebrew, and others. 
  • Foreign Languages with Listening skills to evaluate a candidate’s proficiency in a specific language.  

How to prepare for SAT Exam 2023? 

The paper pattern and setting of the SAT have been revised, which is considered more difficult for international students. As a result, there is no use of preparing for the old SAT, and your preparation for the old version would not work well in the new pattern. There is a lot of fake material available on the internet, so it is better that you refer to the official SAT practice sets given by The College Board official website. These practices tests are: 

Shall I take SAT or ACT?

Many US colleges and universities accept both SAT or American College Testing (ACT) for the admission of international students in undergraduate degrees.  

The pattern, difficulty level, and preference in the admission process of both SAT and ACT are quite similar to each other, which makes it difficult for the students to decide which tests they should take. A significant difference between SAT and ACT is that there is a Science section included in the ACT, while the SAT includes a Math section in which calculator is not allowed.  

The modifications in SAT in 2016 have made it very similar to the ACT. As a result, many applicants have started to take both SAT and ACT to earn maximum scores on both of them. If you want to take only one of the tests, it is better to get in touch with the universities you are going to apply to determine their eligibility criteria and the standardized testing required. 

Most of the foreign universities accept both SAT and ACT. To make a final decision about which test to take, you should practice the mock SAT and ACT tests available on their official websites. It will give you help you in determining the difficulty levels of both the tests yourself and make a smart choice in terms of taking the test to enhance your chances of getting maximum marks in either of the standard tests and get admission to your dream university.  

Data Science vs Business Analytics – Which is Better?

So which one is the right choice for a successful career? A master’s degree in data science vs business analytics? Both programs draw insights from data using statistics and software tools. But both are very different in their end goal. But, which one has better job prospects? Which one is right for you?

Let’s evaluate this step by step in this guide to understand the key differences between master’s programs in data science vs business analytics.

Definition and Curriculum

Let us first define these degrees and understand their curriculums.

A Master’s in Data Science focuses on training students in the skills needed to analyze and interpret complex data sets. This typically includes courses in machine learning, statistical analysis, data visualization, and programming. MS in Data Science at Columbia University includes hardcore CS courses like ML and Algorithms, Stats courses like Probability and Statistical Modeling and ton of electives.

A Master’s in Business Analytics, on the other hand, focuses on using data to inform business decisions. They have no interest in data unless it can lead to an actionable insight for the business. Cornell’s MSBA curriculum includes fewer tech courses that cover basics of Data Management in SQL, Statistical Programming in Python and R and some level of ML. There is a larger variety of business courses such as Introduction to Finance Analytics, Management Writing for Business Analytics and Conversations in Business Analytics.

Career Outcomes

Let us now talk about the kind of career paths that emerge from these two programs.

Good news is that both programs can lead to rewarding careers, and there is a strong demand for professionals with skills in both data science and business analytics. So, you cannot go wrong with either of them but the kind of jobs you can aim for is different. So, it is important that you understand the difference.

It is clear that MSBA is geared entirely towards application of data science and analytics to solve business use cases. That is why it is called Business Analytics. The course is designed to help you turn data into actionable decisions. You will learn more about visualization and communicating the data in an easy to understand format. You will be trained on storytelling and generating reports which make it easier to decide how to proceed.

On the other hand, data science is a much broader field. While we have seen data science being regularly used in business, it has ton of applications in other areas. For e.g. healthcare – Data science can be used to analyze patient data to identify trends and patterns that can inform the development of new treatments or help healthcare providers make more informed decisions about patient care.

Career Pathway for Master’s in Data Science

A graduate from DS program will have more technical skillset and be spending more time programming, coding and scripting. Some of the career paths include:

  1. Data Scientist
  2. Data Engineer
  3. Machine Learning Engineer
  4. Business Intelligence Analyst
  5. Data Analyst
  6. Research Scientist
  7. Statistician

Career Pathway for Master’s in Business Analytics

A BA graduate will get training on quantitative and analytical tools for decision making as well as business communication. Following job opportunities are available:

  1. Business Intelligence Analyst
  2. Data Analyst
  3. Management Consultant
  4. Marketing Analytics Manager
  5. Operations Research Analyst
  6. Financial Analyst
  7. Risk Analyst

Check out these courses and universities to study in USA

What is better for you – Data Science vs Business Analytics?

A calculative decision between master’s in data science vs business analytics really depends on your career goals. If you’re interested in a career in data analysis or data-driven decision making in a business setting, a Master’s in Business Analytics may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you’re more interested in working with data in a research or technical capacity and are not really interested in business side of things, a Master’s in Data Science may be a better fit.

Good Universities for master’s in Data Science

Good Universities for master’s in Business Analytics

Lastly, a word of caution – don’t go by the name alone. Some programs may call it business analytics and may be more technical in nature and vice versa. Study the curriculum carefully before you apply to make sure you get what you are looking for. You don’t want to end up in a soft and less technical program if your goal is to become a data scientist.

How to Write a Resignation Letter (with examples)

Writing a resignation letter is likely a necessary and awkward part of anyone’s work life. Whether you’re leaving your first entry-level job to move up in the world or taking a step down from a larger company role, sending off your resignation letter is usually one of the first steps in the process. 

The unfortunate part about leaving a job is that no one trains you on how to do it. While some of your friends and family have likely left a job before, there is no one at your job that told you how to one day leave, despite telling you how to do everything else for the role.  

However, we’re here to help! Below are some simple Do’s and Don’ts, along with a few examples, on how to best write a resignation letter. 

The Basic Principles

Leaving your job should be done gracefully in order to leave the door open should you want to return or need a recommendation letter in the future. 

A resignation letter can be broken down into a few simple parts.  

1. Formal Resignation

Here, you can explain that you are leaving and when you plan your last day to be. This should be a one-sentence explanation.

2. Thank You

Here, you express your gratitude for the opportunity and thank them unequivocally. This is not the place to air any grievances (you may have your chance during an exit interview). It’s best to list 1-2 examples of why you enjoyed working at the company and how much you cherished the experience and opportunity.

3. Reason for Living

Here, you can share the reason for departure, whether a new job, personal life choice, etc. You don’t need to get into too many details. Don’t mention the new company you’re working for and keep any information here vague. You can share details in-person with those you trust, but don’t put too much into writing.  

What should you do now?

Here are some basic things to DO for your resignation letter: 

Do: Give Notice that You’re Leaving 

Even if you are leaving a toxic workplace, you still should always put into writing that you are formally leaving a company. Make sure you get an email or written confirmation that your employer acknowledges you are leaving. This could save you potential legal trouble down the road, although unlikely.  

Do: Tell Your Manager First 

While you may tell your close colleagues that you plan to leave, the first person you should tell is your direct manager. They are the ones that deal with you the most and they will tell you what you need to do to proceed. Further, the Harvard Business Review explains that you want to make sure your boss knows the reason you’re leaving before they are surprised by the news. Even if you had a bad relationship with them, your manager/boss should learn the news from you first.

Do: Prepare your Computer and Workspace before you leave

While not directly related to your resignation letter, make sure that all personal information from your work computer is deleted. There is always the potential that after you submit your resignation letter, you will be asked to leave immediately. This is the case if you plan to leave to a competitor, work with sensitive information, or other similar situations. 

Don’t do this on your Resignation Letter 

Here are a few things to avoid when writing your resignation letter: 

Don’t: Get Emotional 

Your resignation letter is not the place to write out a heartfelt goodbye or list all the reasons you hated the job and can’t wait to leave. This is essentially a formal document that you are preparing, and thus, it should only contain professional language. You can be grateful and express your gratitude, but if you want to express your thankfulness towards your manager or coworkers, save it for a personal letter.  

Don’t: Brag About Your Next Role 

While you are likely leaving for a better position or to improve your personal life, there is no need to rub it in everyone’s face. While this language should never be included in a resignation letter, this is a good practice during your last two weeks. You should remain grateful and humble during your remaining time, especially if you plan to ask these people for recommendation letters down the line.  

Don’t: Leave Without a Goodbye 

On your last day, the best thing you can do is send a team or company-wide email (depending on what’s appropriate) expressing your gratitude towards the company and how it was a pleasure working with everyone. This will likely be separate from your resignation letter, so you can be a bit more personal. During the resignation process, you want to leave everyone with a good taste in their mouth, and not make them happy you’re leaving.  

If you are preparing for salary negotiation in your next role, check out our blog on How to Negotiate a Higher Salary

Examples to Get you Started: 

Example #1 

Dear Mr. Dumas 

I am writing this letter to give you my formal notice that I will be leaving my role as Senior Engineer on the Web Development team on February 10th, 2022. 

I am truly grateful for the last three years at Webbing.org. It has been a pleasure working and growing the team to what it has become today. Learning from you has helped me grow as an engineer and as a person. While my time here has been incredible, I have been given an opportunity at another company that I feel compelled to take.  

Over the next two weeks, please let me know how I can be of assistance. I am happy to start training a replacement and offboard my responsibilities as you see fit.  

I wish you and everyone on the team the best of luck, and I look forward to keeping in touch.  

Best Regards,  

Michael Felbs 

Example #2 

Dear Ms. Maximoff 

Please accept this email as a formal notification of my resignation as Jr. Web Designer with NewVision Inc. I will plan my last day to be on Tuesday, March 3rd.  

First of all, I want to thank you for the past year and a half at this company. Working here has been incredibly rewarding and I appreciated all the opportunities to learn and grow during my time. The work I did at NewVision helped me become more creative and knowledgeable, skills I will certainly take with me throughout my career.  

During the next month, I will do everything I can to make sure the transition of my departure goes as smoothly as possible. If there are any special tasks you would like me to complete outside of my normal responsibilities, please let me know.  

I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for me, and I’m wishing you and the team continued success, I hope we can stay in touch!  

Sincerely,  

Nick Silver 

GRE Waiver Fall 2023 Complete List and Email Sample

You might have heard from people applying for admissions to universities abroad that the GRE got waived. But what does this actually mean? Is the GRE waiver something exciting or is it something that you really need to work hard for? Well, we have the answer for it! 

GRE got waived for the first time when COVID pandemic made it impossible for candidates to take GRE tests. But even before this, some schools like UIUC Engineering School did not consider GRE scores for their admission. But in those days, such universities were rare. Now if you see, many universities are embracing GRE free admissions. However, it is confusing which ones are waiving it and which ones are not. In this blog, you’ll find the kind of GRE waivers we are seeing and a list of universities that fall into each category. 

There are 3 kind of GRE requirements that you will see:

  1. GRE Mandatory – This means that there is no exception, you need to submit your GRE score. For eg UC Irvine, SUNY Buffalo
  2. GRE not Considered – This means that they won’t even look at your GRE even if you submit it. For eg MIT and Harvard are taking this stance
  3. GRE Optional – This could be for all departments (such as Northeastern University) or for only some departments or programs

Before we look into the full list, here’s a PRO TIP:

Don’t look at GRE waiver list from last year because the GRE waiver criteria changes every year, For eg. Georgia Teach had waived GRE for all courses last year but it requires it for MS CS course for 2023 admissions.

Now, let’s look at the list of universities which have waived GRE or kept it optional. This list is not comprehensive but covers many popular schools.

FULL LIST

Email to request GRE Waivers

Here, we are sharing a structure for sample GRE waiver request email:

1st para – Greetings and formal request of waiver

2nd and 3rd paras – Cite reasons or justification for waiver

4th para – Conclude and thank them for consideration

(see the full sample below)

That’s it. Keep it polite, formal and convincing. They will not give a waiver simply because you didn’t have time. So, frame your request with some thought and keep your fingers crossed.

As long as you show that you tried your best to fulfill all criteria and have other aspects of your profile which showcase the things that GRE is supposed to test, you can make a good case.

EMAIL SAMPLE

So, that was a detailed list and a sample from our end. If your intention is to step ahead and reach some of the high ranking colleges then do take advantage of this extensive information.

Top 10 Most Affordable and High Ranked MBA Programs Abroad 

MBA is not only a degree that offers you a job at an international company but also it provides you with many opportunities to explore different aspects of your personality. Every student has their own aspirations and goals in life and MBA is one such degree that helps you achieve those goals. If you are already a student and are planning to study MBA, then you might be thinking about going abroad for higher studies. In that case, it is very important that you choose a good MBA program abroad as well as course structure in order to get quality education with international exposure. 

In today’s world, there are so many options available for students who want to pursue their education abroad but with so much confusion surrounding this topic most students fail to choose the right program because they do not have enough information about what they should do or how they can get into top MBA programs abroad with a fee that fits within their budget. 

At Scholar Strategy, we get a lot of queries from students about pursuing MBA in their career but there are two most common issues that they all face:

  1. You have decided to study abroad but haven’t found the right place to do it from 
  2. You have the right place but don’t have the budget for it

While there are a lot of universities abroad to pursue your MBA from, here is a list of those Top 10 highly ranked and affordable universities as per the Financial Times Ranking 2022 that will give you a complete package of high quality education, good placement opportunities and an international exposure all within your budget.

Top 10 Highly Ranked and Affordable Programs for MBA Abroad

COLLEGEFT RANKCOUNTRYLENGTHTUITION FEES (per year)
Peking University: Guanghua School of Management42China2 yrsINR 22,20,000
ESCP Business School52France/UK, Germany/Spain/Italy10 monINR 38,40,000
Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management60China21 monINR 23,38,000
Sungkyunkwan University GSB65South Korea18 monINR 30,57,000
Mannheim Business School72Germany12-15 monINR 32,60,000
WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management74Germany1 yearINR 33,09,000
University of Georgia: Terry80US2 yrsINR 27,78,000
ESMT Berlin88Germany15 monINR 39,63,000
Politecnico di Milano School of Management91Italy1 yearINR 27,78,000
Durham University Business School95UK12-15 monINR 33,84,000

The search doesn’t get over here. Once you have finalized your dream university and program, it is highly important to choose an MBA specialization that will add value in your journey. The right specialization can help you gain practical experience while also developing specific skills that will help advance your career path. Be sure to have a clear understanding of the specialization you need for your career here:

Top 5 Most Popular MBA Specializations To Pursue

Hopefully, these tips will help you come to a decision. The idea here is that you can invest your time and money into getting a good MBA education, but what really matters at the end of the day is whether or not it will help you advance your career. And to that end, having a low-cost education with a high ROI should be your main goal.

Top 5 Most Popular MBA Specializations To Pursue

Getting an MBA degree in one of the most preferred MBA specializations is a great way to advance yourself in your career. While MBAs are business-focused, you do not need a background in business. In fact, many MBA students come from a wide range of industries including engineers, lawyers, and doctors.  

MBA studies are focused on finetuning your skillset to be better equipped for the business world. MBA specializations include education on accounting, finance, marketing, management, and other essential functions of a business.  

Getting your MBA is important because it teaches you how to run a business. This will allow you to move up in a company, pivot into a new industry, or start your own company. Here, some of Stanford’s MBA students explain how they were able to use their MBA degrees to pivot into new industries and quickly rise the ranks at internationally renowned companies.   

While you can be the best software developer in the world, if you don’t know how to make a balance sheet or manage a team of employees, your ideas may never get off the ground. Understanding what MBA specializations there are and how the programs work is crucial, so here is some basic information to get you started! 

List of MBA Specializations 

The great thing about MBA programs is that not all are the same. There are tons of specialized MBA programs that are suited for various industries and what you might want to do with the rest of your career. While there are dozens of specialties out there, here are a few of the most popular.  

1. MBA in Marketing 

Pursuing a study in marketing is probably the most familiar to people. Back in 2017, Forbes estimated that the average person sees anywhere from 4,000-10,000 advertisements a day. We see advertisements on every product, on every type of surface, and at every hour of the day. So, for non-businesspeople, marketing awareness might feel the most natural to learn.  

But marketing is more than just making a perfect advertisement. Marketing includes complex strategy, sales and data analytics, psychiatry, and more. The marketing department at any company is responsible for bringing in new business, increasing sales, managing the company’s image, and more.  

2. MBA in Information Systems (IT) 

The primary focus of studying IT is to bridge the gap between business needs and the available technology. Businesses that invest in having cutting-edge IT systems are often at an advantage. They are able to work more efficiently, collect more data to analyze, and reduce pain points throughout a businesses’ operations.  

The IT department encompasses more than just the team that installs software onto computers. This team is vital to many businesses today because almost every company has a website and various social media accounts as well as e-commerce stores, data analytics systems, supply-chain management systems, and more. IT is the engine of every modern company so being able to understand these systems makes you an incredible asset wherever you work.  

3. MBA in Finance 

Finance is one of the most popular MBA programs since it trains students on how to raise capital for companies, operate the cash flows of a business, and how to leverage assets to achieve company goals. While many engineers are already good with numbers, finance is slightly more complicated than the simple underlying equations.  

Finance requires strategy and a thorough understanding of domestic and international markets, as well as the right personal skills to lock in investors and deals. Without Finance specialists, there is no fuel to run the car, so mastering this skill is highly prized amongst top companies.  

4. MBA in Operations Management 

Acquiring a specialty in operations management encompasses the understanding of keeping a company running smoothly. The majority of your responsibilities could include functions such as vendor management, inventory management, purchase management, supply-chain management, and resource planning. These functions are what keep the business running and are the main components in maintaining the cost of goods, the quality of products, and how fast products and services can be achieved.  

Operations specialists are incredibly valuable because they make the whole business possible. While Financiers find the money to pay for the inputs and Marketing figures out what products or services to make, IT and Operations Management are the two functions that help the business run smoothly. If you have read anything about supply-chain issues in the current market and think you can improve the system, operations management might be your calling.  

5. MBA in Consulting 

Consulting is a fancy industry term for a fixer. When companies hire a consultant, they are looking for someone to come in and figure out the problem or find the solution to any problem. Consultants are the Swiss-army knives in the professional world because they need to analyze all aspects of the business, from Financing, Marketing, IT, Operations, and more.  

Pursuing an MBA in consulting is a great choice for people who have no business background because consultants can be highly specialized. If you’re a software engineer, you can easily find a niche as a software consultant and work with companies to find software pain points and improve their systems.  

How to Choose Your MBA Specialization 

Understanding what MBA specialization means is only half the battle. Before committing to a program, consider taking some of these steps.  

Think About Your Career Path 

Are you someone that wants to work for a large company or create your own? Do you want to stay in the same industry or pivot into a new one? Think about the jobs you would want to have and assess which MBA program would best help you get there.  

Understand the Classes and Subjects in Each Program 

A quick summary of the course isn’t going to be enough to understand what it can provide you. Look at the different classes offered in each program and think about if those will help you in the job you want. MBA programs are more than just a base understanding of knowledge. These classes are meant to teach you highly specialized skills that companies will seek you out for.  

What Companies are Looking for and What are they Offering 

If you are driven by the industry you want to enter or the company you want to look for, looking at what these companies are desiring in the current market can give you an advantage. If you want to work at Meta, having a background in IT systems to help in their e-commerce efforts may be your best ticket in.  

It’s also important to look at the salaries and jobs that are being offered. This can give you a great idea as to the value of your MBA degree in the current market.  

Most Attractive Specializations for Engineers 

MBA programs are a great way for engineers to move up the corporate ladder and learn about the fundamentals needed to run a business. While there are dozens of MBA specializations out there, the best ones for engineers are going to leverage an engineer’s natural analytical abilities, as well as help engineers, learn all skills needed to manage a business.  

While this list is not in any order and may not be relevant depending on your specific career goals, these are the best MBA specializations for engineers: 

  • Finance 
  • Marketing 
  • Consulting 
  • Operations Management 
  • IT Systems 
  • Business Analytics 
  • International Business 

Final Thoughts 

Pursuing an MBA is an exciting next step in anyone’s career path. Every job is geared towards improving a business, whether you’re a doctor or engineer. Understanding the fundamentals of business will make you an incredibly valuable employee at any company.  

Before you start applying to MBA programs, you will definitely need to fix your resume. Here is a great resource to get you started: 

Key Skills That You Should Include on Your Resume

No matter what you do, always remember to do your research, and most of all, best of luck!