As shown on the official website, in 2019 the international test dates will remain as before, with SAT administrations in March, May, October, and December. However, starting in 2020, an August test date will be added alongside the existing four, specifically on August 29, 2020, along with an additional SAT Subject Test date.
Due to the addition of the August SAT Subject Test, the original November SAT Subject Test date has been canceled. See the comparison chart below:
This move by College Board gives prospective international students an extra chance to boost their scores.
This change applies to 2020, meaning it will affect students who are currently in 10th grade. This means one more testing opportunity in Asia, eliminating the need to endure a ten-hour flight and spend thousands of dollars to take the test in North America, as well as the ordeal of dealing with jet lag. And if something like this August’s weather-related cancellations in Hawaii were to happen, you wouldn’t have made a wasted trip.
Official SAT registration link:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register
SAT preparation tips
From recent SAT administrations, we can see that even though College Board has a history of reusing old questions, it's undeniable that simply practicing past papers or adopting a drilling approach will not meet the test's required abilities.
Therefore, to achieve a high SAT score, we need to focus more on developing English proficiency and logical thinking. During your regular preparation, accurately gauge and assess your strengths and weaknesses in reading, analysis, and writing. Build a solid foundation in reading and analysis, and then engage in more critical thinking and analytical writing output.
This is especially true for the group affected by this change—10th-grade students.
With more sufficient preparation time, it's advisable to first build a solid English foundation by studying for the TOEFL. You can start by increasing your vocabulary through TOEFL vocabulary lists and reading classic European and American literature, and then move on to SAT preparation.
SAT preparation typically requires three to six months or even longer. Test-takers should make full use of the summer break between 10th and 11th grade. It's recommended to plan your SAT early and finish early, so you’ll have more time and energy to devote to high school academics, AP courses, and extracurricular activities.
