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as a college admission test. But some schools have a space for PSAT scores on their applications. On other applications there will just be a space where you can put “other test scores.” Of course, it’s optional whether or not you tell them your PSAT scores, but it’s impressive if you have good ones.
    If you don’t put your PSAT scores on your college application, admissions people may suspect your scores were poor.
What about Sunday test dates?
    The ETS offers the SAT seven times a year between October and June; most students take the test on a Saturday morning. However, those students who cannot take the SAT on a Saturday for religious reasons have the option of taking it on Sunday, usually the day after the scheduled Saturday test. The Sunday test doesn’t cost extra, but on your registration form you need to fill in the special 01000 test center code, and you must also send in a signed letter from your clergyperson on official letterhead explaining that religious convictions prevent you from taking the SAT on a Saturday. When you sign up for one Sunday test, you must take the rest of your tests on Sundays as well.
    Because the test given on Sunday is exactly the same as the Saturday test, you cannot register for both. The test is scored on the same scale, and percentages are calculated thesame way for Sunday test takers as for Saturday test takers. In the end, therefore, there is no advantage or disadvantage to registering for a Sunday test. Only do it if you have to.
What if I want to apply for Early Decision or Early Action?
    Many students now take the SAT in October and November of their senior year in order to meet the deadlines for Early Decision or Early Action. Under these programs, seniors generally know by the end of December whether they will have a low-stress second semester. By applying for Early Decision, you commit to attending the school if your application is successful. (This means that you can apply for Early Decision at only one school.) There is no such restriction with Early Action policies, which in general means you can apply for Early Action to more than one school. Some schools, however, have a “Single-Choice Early Action” policy—you aren’t obligated to accept their offer of admission, but you can’t apply to any other schools under Early Action. If you’re seeking early admission anywhere, make sure you know what the school’s policy is.
    Note:
Some schools that are eager to attract good students may send you their “Priority” or “Distinguished Student” applications. These can also count as early admission options. If you’ve already applied for Early Decision or Single-Choice Early Action elsewhere, check to see that these don’t violate the agreement. Don’t be one of those “almost broke the early admission rule and got themselves blacklisted” kids. Soooo not cool.
What special skills will I need to take the SAT?
    Several abilities are necessary. First, you must be able to stay awake, which can be difficult even though you will be sitting for almost four hours in the most uncomfortable chair imaginable. (This is the reason for the sections on yoga and concentration in Chapter 6 .) Second, you have to be able to sign a statement alleging that you, not some cyborg clone, are taking the test. Third, you must be able to read. (And ifyou’re reading this, you’ve probably already cleared that hurdle, unless you’re just looking at the pretty design of the pages.) Fourth, you must know a lot of math and reading and writing stuff so that you can answer the questions correctly. (That’s what most of this book is about.) Fifth, you need to understand the proper strategies for taking the SAT and the many ways you can outsmart the test. (We explain all the tricks.) Sixth, after you find the right answer, you need to be able to fill in all the little circles on the computerized answer sheet, without going out of the lines. (We’ve provided several columns of little