Terminology
These definitions are simplified for clarity. The official format, scoring and dates are owned by College Board.
- A standardised test in English used by many universities — especially in the United States and by a number of international and regional universities — as one element in assessing applicants. It measures reading, writing and mathematics skills rather than the content of any one school curriculum.
- The current form of the test, taken on a device through a dedicated application rather than on paper. How questions are presented and how the on-screen tools work are part of the test skill itself.
- Short questions built on varied passages, testing comprehension, inference from the text, vocabulary in context, and the conventions of academic writing.
- Questions on algebra, problem solving, data analysis and some advanced maths topics, measured through a mix of accuracy and time management.
- A test you sit before preparation begins to establish your starting point: which sections are already strong, where errors repeat, and how to prioritise.
- A complete simulation under real timing. Its main value is not the score but reviewing every error and identifying its cause.