Preparing for any test as an ESL (English as a Second Language) student can be nerve-wracking, but when it’s a college entrance exam like the SAT, the stakes are even higher. That’s why it’s so important to know how to approach SAT prep for ESL students.
It can be daunting to approach an academic exam in English when it isn’t your first language, so it makes sense why ESL (or ELL: English Language Learner) students can be reluctant to prepare for and take standardized tests. Foreign language anxiety can feel like an enormous obstacle between a student and the college of their dreams. However, if you’re an ESL student, that shouldn’t dissuade you from preparing for and trying your best on an exam like the SAT.
In fact, College Board provides accommodations to ESL students that make the SAT testing process fairer for non-native English speakers. Plus, there are many strategies you can implement to make your test-prep and test-taking processes more effective. Read on to learn about the SAT, how you can benefit from accomodations, and our advice on approaching SAT prep for ESL learners.
What’s on the SAT?
The SAT is a standardized test taken by 11th and 12th grade students as part of the college application process. Last year, College Board implemented a complete redesign that digitized and shortened the SAT, making it easier to take than ever before.
The SAT assesses students’ English and math knowledge over the course of about 2 hours and 15 minutes. The SAT Reading & Writing section tests students’ understanding of English grammar and reading comprehension, while the SAT Math portion tests their ability to solve math problems across topics covered throughout high school.
Another major update of note is the SAT’s new, modular format. Each section of the exam begins with a “Normal” module that is identical to all test-takers. Depending on each student’s performance on that first module, they’ll be presented with either an “Easy” or “Hard” second module. In this way, the SAT-taking experience is more fitting to students’ personal capabilities.
Is the Material on the SAT Difficult for ESL Students?
If you’re an ESL student, it’s valid to be concerned that your English language knowledge might put you at a disadvantage when approaching complexly-worded test questions. However, now is a better time than ever before to be taking the SAT as somebody who is less confident in their English knowledge.
Only 30% of SAT math questions are word problems—these are short blurbs that contextualize the math problems you’re tasked with solving. Word problems are now capped at 50 words on the Digital SAT, so you won’t be facing long, complicated paragraphs in the math portion of the test.
English language learners are likely more concerned about the Reading & Writing section than the math portion. Luckily, this section has also become easier to tackle with the Digital SAT: instead of having to read through lengthy, 500-800 word passages paired with a handful of questions each, every ELA question includes a mini-passage between 25 and 150 words long. You’ll read the short passage and answer the question that follows—about 55% of questions test typical reading comprehension skills, and the rest cover English grammar and writing conventions.
If you’re concerned about your vocabulary knowledge, you’ll be pleased to know that the “Words in Context” questions don’t test high-level vocabulary words like previous versions of the SAT did. Instead, you’ll be tasked with “filling the blank” in a passage with a fitting word from the answer choices, all of which are words at a more reasonable difficulty level for high schoolers.
Overall, the Digital SAT has streamlined the amount of reading students must do throughout the exam, making it an easier task for ESL students than other standardized tests they may have taken in the past.
Should You Take the SAT?
If you’re still deciding whether you should even take the SAT or not, here are a few things to consider:
- What are your post-high school plans? Enrolling in a four-year college is a great way to prepare for higher-earning jobs in the future, but it isn’t necessary for all career types.
- Does your state require the SAT? Some states require juniors to take the SAT, while others require the ACT or don’t require either test.
- Does the SAT or ACT fit your skills better? While your SAT score places heavy emphasis on Math and English, the ACT has a Science section, divides ELA into English and Reading, and includes an optional essay.
- Can you afford the SAT? Many schools offer SAT School Day, where they administer the exam on a regular day in school, for free to all students. If your school doesn’t do this, SAT Fee Waivers are available to students demonstrating financial need.
Overall, we recommend that you take the SAT at least once, especially if you can afford the test or have the opportunity to take it for free. Even if you aren’t 100% sold on college or university, it’s better to set yourself up for that opportunity should you change your mind in the future.
SAT Accommodations for ESL Students
The SAT is committed to leveling the playing field among all students taking the test, so there are a number of testing accommodations available for ESL students looking to take the SAT and score well.
How to Register for SAT Accommodations
If an ESL student is interested in obtaining an SAT accommodation, they must get approval from College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD).
Most students sign up through their school, which is the most efficient way to request accommodations. This is done by contacting the school’s SSD coordinator, who will submit all accommodation requests by the deadline prior to the SAT exam. The only thing left for families to do in this case is sign the Parent Consent Form.
If they wish, families can also request SAT accommodations without going through their school. They must fill out the Student Eligibility Form and mail/fax it (along with any documentation) to College Board’s SSD. Each test day has a corresponding accommodations request deadline, so make sure you submit the paperwork on time for SSD to receive it by then.
Types of SAT Accommodations for ESL Students
For SAT School Day (and all versions of the PSAT), College Board offers a few different testing support options for English Language Learners. Students who meet these criteria are eligible for SAT ESL accommodations:
- They are enrolled in a U.S. elementary or secondary school.
- They are an “English learner” (as per their state’s definition).
- They use the same accommodations for other tests or in their classes.
College Board provides SAT testing support for ESL students in three ways:
- Translated Test Directions. Can you take the SAT in a different language? Yes! Test directions are available in 18 different languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Mexican Spanish, Navajo, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese. These directions are downloadable files that administrators will have printed out for you on the day of the exam for your reference as you work through the Digital SAT in the Bluebook app.
- Word-to-Word Dictionaries. Do you speak a different language than the ones listed above or need help with common English words throughout the test? Good news! You’re permitted to use a bilingual word-to-word glossary, so long as it’s on College Board’s approved list of dictionaries. With the use of one of these glossaries, you can look up unknown words throughout your SAT—from exactly what a question is asking, to the particular wording of answer choices. You may be wondering: “Won’t translating words make me spend too much time on each question?” Well, the final testing support permitted for ESL students on the SAT is…
- 50% Extended Time. To assist students who may take longer to read and comprehend the material on the exam, ESL students can request that their test time be extended by 50%. This would make the SAT about 3 hours and 20 minutes instead of 2-and-a-quarter hours. (You may also be provided extra breaks because the test-taking time is much longer.)
ESL/ELL students are allowed to use as many accommodations as they need as long as they’re eligible. While your school’s SSD or ESL department will make arrangements for translated test directions and word-to-word glossaries without an explicit request for accommodations from College Board, you must have your testing support request approved for extra time on the exam.
Preparing For the SAT
Taking advantage of SAT accommodations is a great way for ESL students to reduce their test-day anxiety, but the best strategy to feel ready for the SAT and put your best foot forward is to focus on preparation.
SAT prep for ESL students is broadly similar to the type of prep a native English-speaking student would complete. Taking practice tests and brushing up on SAT vocabulary words are the best ways to ensure that you’re ready for the real deal. That being said, it’s helpful to keep a few things in mind to keep your anxiety levels down and your confidence level up:
- Create a study plan. Staying organized will keep your stress levels down and you’ll be able to focus on the content you’re studying. Without a plan, it’s easy to feel aimless during your prep sessions; this makes them less efficient. With a plan, you can optimize whatever time you have available.
- Improve your grammar. Mastering the grammar rules that are commonly tested on the SAT will help you better prepare yourself for understanding the content in the Reading & Writing portion of the test. Reading in your free time can help you sharpen both your grammar and reading comprehension skills!
- Focus on your weaknesses. Make a mental note of which ELA and Math topics you feel the least confident about. These should be the concepts and skills you work on the most in the weeks leading up to your SAT test day.
- Build upon your vocabulary knowledge. Like we mentioned above, the SAT won’t test you on uncommon, super high-level vocabulary. Still, part of building your confidence to confront the SAT Reading & Writing portion is expanding your personal diction! Reading (with a dictionary beside you) is a great way to improve your vocabulary acquisition, and so is simply studying with vocabulary flashcards and lists.
- Keep track of your progress. This is a helpful motivational tool for those days when you feel like you aren’t getting anything right. Seeing a visual representation of the progress you’re making will boost your morale.
- Take plenty of practice tests. Using Digital SAT practice tests is the best way for you to become familiar with the format of the SAT. In fact, since most students improve their scores the second or third time they take the SAT, having taken practice tests in advance means that a student’s “first” SAT is not, in fact, their initial experience of the test.
Prepare For The SAT With Piqosity
The SAT can be a stressful test to anticipate for English Language Learners; however, overcoming foreign language anxiety is less tricky than it seems. With careful attention to SAT prep, ESL students can alleviate those fears, replacing test anxiety with confidence in their abilities. If you’re looking for affordable (and free) resources to help you study for the SAT on your horizon, Piqosity is here to help!
Along with our full-length, online ELA and Math courses for grades 5-11, we offer a full test prep course for the Digital SAT that include 12 practice exams, dozens of concept lessons, personalized practice software, and more tools to help you reach SAT success. (As do our ACT/ISEE prep courses!)
In addition to our new digital SAT course, we’re also offering two free digital PSATs! These DPSAT practice tests are designed to help you prepare ahead of time for the October exam’s format, available for anyone who signs up for a Piqosity community account. Our free community account allows you to try out all of Piqosity’s features—no credit card required! When you’re ready to upgrade, Piqosity’s year-long accounts start at only $89.
Leave A Comment