University: USyd
Course and preference in relevant TAC: 4th Preference
Date and time of invite receipt: 17/01/23 9:00am
Predicted/Actual ATAR/GPA: 1580 SAT (converts to 99.95)
Rural: No
State: NSW
Other Special Considerations: None
Hi guys, I just wanted to post about something interesting that I found works. I am a domestic student from NSW and I got a 99.90. But earlier in the year, I saw a tiktok saying that I could do the SAT to get a better UAC selection rank - I did some looking into it, including calling UNSW and Usyd and seeing if it was legit, and everyone seemed to say 'yeah I guess so'.
I also looked at a PDF from USyd that they make for international students so that I could see what type of SAT score I would need to get above a 99 ATAR in the conversion - e.g. a 1510 out of 1600 converted to a 99.6, 1570 converted to 99.95. I attached the pdf I saw below, but there's probably a more updated one. At the time, my ATAR wasn't looking too good and I thought if I got above 1500 I could increase my chances of getting into med school.
So I took a chance and did the SAT around May 2022. One stipulation that the UNSW person I spoke to said was that I had to take it within a year before applying - so you can't use an SAT score from Year 10 or 11 or something.
Why did I do it? Well, the SAT is a three-hour multiple-choice exam that is scored out of 1600. I think Americans start doing it when they are in Year 10, so I personally think that it was definitely easier than doing the HSC. There are basically two sections - English and Maths. The English is basic NAPLAN comprehension style questions and then common sense grammar questions. The Maths only requires a Year 10 level of understanding, the hardest thing was parabolas. I studied for only a week on Khan Academy (which is good and free). If anyone ever considered this route, they can just do a free practice exam there to see if it would be worthwhile to sit the actual exam.
After I got my result, I had to submit a Qualification Assessment Service on UAC and put it as a qualification on my undergraduate application. I also authorised SAT to release my results to UAC. The caveat is that you need to have graduated highschool to complete the requirements for using the SAT (SAT and completed high school). So I only received the qualification after 15 Dec 2022 i.e. when I received my ATAR and proof that I graduated, hence why USyd offered me an Assessment Day 2 Interview in January, not the one in December. I assume other unis would accept it too because UAC converts it directly to a selection rank.
Cost: The SAT itself cost around $75 to take. It cost $17 to release the results to UAC. Then I had to submit it to UAC's Qualifications Assessment Service which cost $140. So it is by no means a cost-free endeavour.
I think it would be useful if e.g your like a 90 ATAR student, but you could get like a 95.5 ATAR (1360 SAT) for UWS or Newcastle (although I never called them about it), or if you thought you could do really well and get 99+ ATAR (1500+ SAT) which is a great ATAR conversion. (I think most overseas qualification conversions are quite generous - they want overseas students to apply)
TLDR: I think the SAT is a viable option for domestic students
