# SAT

/ˈsæt/ (US) · /sˈæt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sat
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. past tense of sit

verb · CEFR A1

the past tense of the verb 'sit'.

For teachers: the past tense and past participle form of the intransitive verb 'sit'.

- We sat on the park bench for an hour and watched the birds.
- The delegates sat in silence as the chairperson outlined the proposed changes to the organization's bylaws.

### 2. US college entrance exam

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a standard test that students in the US take to get into college.

For teachers: Initialism of Scholastic Aptitude Test; a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States.

- She spent the whole summer studying so she could get a high score on her SAT.
- Many universities have moved toward test-optional policies, reducing the historical emphasis placed on a student's SAT results during the admissions process.

Usage: Usually written in all capitals; often used in the plural (SATs) when referring to the testing process generally.

### 3. UK school exams

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

national tests taken by school children in the UK to check their progress.

For teachers: Initialism of Statutory Assessment Tests; national curriculum assessments used in primary schools in England.

- The children were a bit nervous before starting their Key Stage 2 SATs.
- Educational researchers often debate whether the pressure of the SATs negatively impacts the well-being of primary school pupils in the UK.

Usage: Commonly used in the plural form 'SATs' in British English.

### 4. day of the week

noun · CEFR A2

a short way of writing Saturday.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Saturday; used primarily in calendars, schedules, and informal notes.

- The shop is open Mon–Fri 9:00 to 5:00 and Sat 10:00 to 2:00.
- The itinerary lists the departure for Sat morning, though the exact time remains subject to the airline's final confirmation.

## Examples

- She studies every night to get a high score on the SAT.
- Many high school juniors spend months preparing for the SAT to improve their chances of entering a top-tier university.
- While some institutions have moved toward test-optional admissions, the SAT remains a significant metric for evaluating the academic aptitude of a diverse pool of applicants from different educational backgrounds.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.