The most critical component of your US university application is your SAT score.

The SAT, or Scholastic Aptitude Test, judges the reasoning skills of students, which are necessary to succeed at university level.

• Why SAT is important

Atul Prashar and Aman Bansal, consultants with TCY, chatted with readers on Thursday, May 31. They answered questions about the SATs and the Study Abroad process in general.

For those who missed the chat, here's the transcript.

calorie asked, First how does scoring work>

Atul Prashar answers, There are three sections in SAT -- Critical Reading, Critical Writing, and Quantitative Ability, each worth 800 marks, coming to a total of 2,400.

shantishanti asked, Are you both going to help me with my SATS? Is there a forula like for the GRE? My brother aced GRE with formulas.

Atul Prashar answers, Preparation is to be focused on strategies and not formulae.

MBAminded asked, I went to school here in Delhi. I want to go to UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO for MBA. Do I need SATS?

Aman Bansal answers, If you've completed your Bachelor's, you will be required to go through GMAT and TOEFL .

libin asked, hello, i am giving the SAT tomorrow.i would like to know the minimum score required to get into a college which is better than IIT's with respect to the standard of teaching and the placement.also, can you please name some colleges which are better than the iit's other than those iny league.my academic and non academic are just fine..all depends on the mark of SAT-1.so please reply to my query.thanks..

Aman Bansal answers, There are many colleges better than IITs, eg MIT, UC Berkley, Purdue -- you might need to take SAT II also, and your overall profile will decide admission.

OBEROI asked, Are US univesrities better than Indian schools? My parents want me to study in Northwestern in illinis. Is it very difficult to study there? how can I do well on SATS?

Aman Bansal answers, It cannot be generalised that all US universities are better than Indian schoold. No, it is not at all difficult to study there. Every year many of our TCY students take SAT and reach the US to pursue their education.

pravin305 asked, is it good for working professional for further studies?

Atul Prashar answers, No. It's for undergraduate studies in the US.

shweta asked, what is the age limit to give SAT??if a person is in 2nd year of his graduation would he be giving SAT or GRE?

Aman Bansal answers, There is no age limit for SAT, but it is for undergrads. If you want to apply as a transfer candidate, you should take SAT, and if you want to apply for a Master's degree, you should take GRE.

guddu asked, i have completed 12th class in 62% with commerce can i give sat exam

Atul Prashar answers, Yes, you may. Twelfth standard percentage will come into play when you apply with your SAT scores to the universities later on. 

Pratik asked, what is a 'good' score on SATs

Atul Prashar answers, It's quite subjective, because it will vary with the requirement of various universities and grad schools. However, an 1800 plus is the score you need to look at. A 2000 plus is most respectable, but 2300 plus is exceptional.

appleofmyI asked, Can I take SATS from online home computer?

Aman Bansal answers, No, it is not possible to take SAT from home.

xyz asked, Sire,wat is the best time to give the SAT exam?and wat is the minimum score u need to get selected in the top universities like MIT?

Atul Prashar answers, There is no minimum or maximum score for MIT. Sometimes even a 2360 mark scorer may be denied admission in MIT on the basis of not-very-sound documentation.

sunilbehl asked, Apart from Harvard, Princeton and Yale what universities in the USA have the policy of need based financial aid?

Aman Bansal answers, All the universities have the option of need-based aid, but these are very competitive. You may check the University of Pennsylvania, or UC Berkley.

AkashB asked, My nephew has just started in 11th grade, his 10th grades are reasonably good (87.4% CBSE), I would like to know how would the tier1 schools (Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, MIT) like his 10th academics for a BS program... also for Engineering majors, would these schools need Subject SAT as well? Thanks!

Atul Prashar answers, Yes definitely. He'll have to take both SAT I and II.

xyz asked, I have just completed my class 10th with 96%.I wanna get into iit,and also do very well in SAT.What should be my strategy?

Atul Prashar answers, Start preparing for IIT and SAT. Give SAT I in October this year Then focus on your fundamentals in Physics, Chemistry and Math till December next year -- give SAT II around that time. Then aim for the Fall '09 programme.

sunilbehl asked, Do the top Ivy League schools require two or three subject tests on the SAT II?

Atul Prashar answers, Yes, they do.

spideyman asked, Hello, are extra curricrl activities really important? Rediff writes article saying thy are? Isn't your sat the most importnat?

Aman Bansal answers, Extracurriculars are important, but at the same time your academics & SAT scores play a vital role.

kessetti asked, I have just complete my 12th standard with 85%. I want to know information abt the SAT?

Aman Bansal answers, Please log on to www.tcyonline.com or www.collegeboard.com for the basic information.

kiruthikcom asked, IS it worth doing MBA after 25 yrs of age ??

Aman Bansal answers, The average age of people entering the Top B-schools in the US ranges from 28 to 32.

xyz asked, Is a 2300+ SAT score alone sufficient to get admin in the top US univs?Or do u need to be adept at extra currric activities as well?Wat r the other requirements?

Atul Prashar answers, A score of 2300 score is not sufficient for the Ivy League colleges, because all the people aspiring for MITs and Harvards have scores in that range. You must have some advantage over them. Thats why extracurriculars are important.

accurex asked, my niece scored 94% ICSE . Pl guide her for SAT ? Is it required to pursue Architecture ?

Aman Bansal answers, Yes she will need to take SAT if she is to study in the US.

VISH] asked, how can i apply for psat??

Aman Bansal answers, Please log on to www.collegeboard.com.

xyz asked, You say the overall profile is v.imp.So wat should a class 11th student ideally do to improve his chances?(other than preparing for SAT)

Atul Prashar answers, Go for the Olympiads, and other skill-based international exams.

• SAT: Registration details

twotearsinabucket asked, Hello sir, I've a 2300 on my SATs. I want a scholarship to Princeton (I have legacy). Will I get money? It's too expensive!

Aman Bansal answers, Chances are bright.

sunilbehl asked, How important are teacher recommendations on your univ. application?

Atul Prashar answers, Very important. This is because an undergraduate aspirant does not have work experience to sell himself well. Hence it becomes important to have your skills validated by reliable recommendations. But make sure the person recommending you knows you well, or the recommendation won't come across as genuine.

twotearsinabucket asked, Could you please detail the writing section? How can you prepare? What does it cover?

Atul Prashar answers, The writing section has focus on Grammar, Word Choice, and Usage. Question types are:
� Identifying Errors
� Improving Sentences
� Improving Paragraphs

xyz asked, Does being an introvert serve as a big deterrent in your admin to the univs?Is it a very big hurdle?

Atul Prashar answers, They are not going to see you before admission and your documents should not show that you're an introvert -- just manage them accordingly.

aaa asked, Should SAT be taken in 12std or after completing 12std

Atul Prashar answers, You may even take it before the tenth standard.

priya_quantum asked, I am a CBSE student having just completed class XI.. I got 94% in my class X boards (CBSE). I wish to apply to MIT. I have not taken SATI. Is it all acceptable to write SAT II this year??

Aman Bansal answers, You can still apply for SAT I and II this year itself.

nitesh asked, my acads is not that good. even i failed once in class 12th. after that i did job 4 some time .now my sat score is 2270. is thre any chance of scole/fin aid

Atul Prashar answers, Quite subjective. Your overall presentation to the university will be the deciding factor.

utkarsh asked, I am keen to know about SAT. What is the right time to apply for, how to apply, what is the structure and syllabus of the course. Kindly advise.Thanks

Aman Bansal answers, The ideal time is the beginning of Class XI. You may log on to www.collegboard.com for registration, and www.tcyonline.com for more information.

xyz asked, What makes a good overall presentation to the university?

Atul Prashar answers, The sum total of your SAT scores, TOEFL score, extracurricular participation, letters of
recommendation, essays etc.

priya_quantum asked, What is the difference between SAT I and SAT II?? Are the applications different for both? What are the subjects i need to take?

Atul Prashar answers, SAT I is a reasoning test consisting of Critical Reading, Writing and Math. SAT II is a subject test given for Physics, Chemistry, Math etc.

sunilbehl asked, Do we have to take the TOEFL?

Aman Bansal answers, Yes, TOEFL is required if English is a second language.

joyd asked, Does US universities grant aid for under-graduate studies for foreign students?

Aman Bansal answers, Yes they do.

paresh asked, i wrote my class 12th examination in 2006...do i have a chance in a good university if i get a good score

Aman Bansal answers, For this year's Fall programme you're late already. Yes, if you score well you have a chance.

sunilbehl asked, And my friends who have applied in the last two years have not taken the TOEFL, so I'm really confused after what you said.

Atul Prashar answers, It may be possible that they had English as First Language. Those with English as a second language will have to take TOEFL.

sunilbehl asked, I heard some liberal arts colleges which are really reputed and good, have a policy of full scholarship for international students. Is that true? This is the third time I'm asking..I know you guys are being bombed with questions, but really, some of them are so stupid.

Aman Bansal answers, Sunil, depending upon your overall profile it is possible. Please go ahead and apply.

maz asked, I need big time help if im going to stud in America!

Atul Prashar answers, Visit www.tcyonline.com to know about the test pattern and take some tests.

Medha asked, i have a 1720 on my sat and will be finishing my IB in may 08.i am interested in economics.can i apply to ivyleague where the sat marks required are around 2200

Aman Bansal answers, You can apply if your profile is exceptional, else chances are low.