The American SAT Examination is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. SAT stands for "Scholastic Assessment Test". It is designed to assess a student's readiness for higher education by measuring their skills in critical reading, writing, and mathematics.

The SAT is typically taken by high school students, usually in their junior or senior year, who plan to apply to colleges and universities. The test aims to provide colleges with a standardized measure of a student's academic abilities and potential for success in college-level courses.

The SAT consists of three main sections:

1. Reading: This section assesses a student's reading comprehension skills by presenting passages from various subjects, such as literature, social sciences, and natural sciences. Students answer multiple-choice questions based on the information provided in the passages.
2. Writing and Language: This section evaluates a student's ability to analyze and improve written passages. It tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetoric. Students are required to revise and edit provided passages to improve clarity, coherence, and effectiveness.
3. Math: The math section assesses a student's mathematical reasoning, problem-solving, and data analysis skills. It includes both multiple-choice questions and student-produced responses. The math section covers topics such as algebra, geometry, statistics, and basic trigonometry.

The SAT also includes an optional essay section, which some colleges and universities require or recommend. The essay section measures a student's ability to analyze and provide evidence-based arguments on a given prompt.

Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 800, resulting in a total score ranging from 400 to 1600. The essay section, if taken, is scored separately on a scale of 6 to 24.

The SAT is administered by the College Board, a non-profit organization, and is offered several times a year at designated test centers. It is important for students to check the specific testing dates and registration deadlines for the SAT in their region.

Many colleges and universities in the United States consider SAT scores as part of their admissions process, along with other factors like high school GPA, extracurricular activities, recommendation letters, and personal essays. However, it's worth noting that an increasing number of institutions have adopted test-optional or test-flexible policies, allowing students to decide whether or not to submit SAT scores as part of their application.