What exactly is the 4th section of the SAT? My prep book omits it because it says it is the "variable section"

Question

What exactly is the 4th section of the SAT? My prep book omits it because it says it is the "variable section"

Answer 1

It's an experimental section the ETS puts in to just p**s off people like you and me--which it usually does. You have 3 reading sections, 3 math sections, and 3 writing sections, plus 1 experimental section. Collegeboard says "In addition to the nine scored sections of the SAT, there is one 25-minute section that we use to ensure that the SAT continues to be a fair and valid test. Don't be worried: the section does not count towards your score. It may be a critical reading, mathematics, or writing multiple-choice section.

It is common test development to use an unscored section to try out new questions for future editions of the test. It also ensures that scores on new editions of the SAT are comparable to scores on earlier editions of the test. This helps to ensure the fairness of the SAT, which is one of our primary objectives."

You can tell which subject is experimental but not which section number is until after the test...so try your best on all of them, and in the chance that it's reading or writing (both of mine were reading experimental secitons) save your energy b/c for all you know the experimental section could be in the very beginning of the test when you're "fresher," and a section that counts is later in the test.

Good luck and hope this helps a bit.

Answer 2

See, every test, ETS (aka College Board) has a variable section, which is there just for the heck of it. It is apparently an "experimental" section to see how well students do on it. So, they'll just be used to make better, student friendly tests. They do NOT count for your final score.

Unfortunately for us students, we don't know which section is the experimental one. So, we've just got to give every section the best. :)

Good luck!

Answer 3

Do every section with perfection you can never guess the throwout section it changes every time

Answer 4

It's either Math, Reading, or Writing--it changes from test to test.  And it's not always the 4th section, either: it was just the 4th section of that practice test, but in reality, it could be any of the 25 minute sections.  ETS puts an extra section on each SAT, which they call the 'Equating' section.  They use it to test future questions, and it actually changes from test to test.  They actually hand out different tests on each test day, with different equating sections on them.  These sections are then removed when they publish the tests.