ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Scholastic Aptitude Test

Do you know what a test is? It's like a game to see how much you know or how good you are at something. Well, the scholastic aptitude test, or SAT for short, is a special test that helps high school students get into college.

Here's how it works: the SAT has different sections that test your skills in reading, writing, and math. You answer questions and get points for each correct answer. There's also a special essay section where you write about a topic given to you and get points based on how well you write.

But why do colleges care about this test? Well, the SAT helps colleges see how good you are at these important skills. Colleges want students who do well in school and are ready to learn at a college level. So, if you get a high SAT score, it tells colleges that you're a smart student who's ready for college.

But don't worry if you don't do well on the first try. You can take the SAT multiple times and colleges will usually consider your highest score. Plus, there are ways to study and prepare for the SAT so you can do your best. So, get ready to do your best on the SAT and show those colleges how smart you are!