SAT Preparation

Course Overview

• Students aged 16-18
• Residential in Balliol College, University of Oxford
• 2 week courses in July and August
• Students must be aged 16 or over before the 1st September 2012
• Students must be fluent English speakers - Please contact us directly if you have any queries over your level of English

Strong SAT scores are vital for students wanting to apply to American universities. Our two-week summer SAT preparation course introduces students aged 16-18 to the core principles in Critical Reading, Math, and Writing which they will need to master in order to achieve an optimal score on this exam.

The programme offered at Oxford Royale Academy is taught in small classes to ensure that students receive individual attention. The students absorb the key academic concepts necessary for success on the SAT and refine their individual learning styles. At the start and the end of each session, students complete a full diagnostic test with questions typical of the actual SAT exams.

Course Details

The SAT Preparation Course at Oxford Royale Academy includes the following key features:

• Small class size
• 42 instructional contact hours
• Diagnostic tests
• Practice tests and mini-timed sections
• SAT vocabulary
• SAT reading comprehension
• SAT essay writing
• SAT grammar
• SAT math question types

Equal focus is put on the critical reading section, the writing section, and the math section, as well as significant attention paid to the essay section. The necessary knowledge will be provided, with the required math, vocabulary and writing skills being constantly refreshed. An equal part of the focus will be on SAT-specific technique, taught through full practice tests, mini-tests, drills and other exercises.

This course requires no prerequisite knowledge. Students who have taken the exam before, as well as those for whom the exam is totally new will find the course helpful. 

In 2011, our students increased their mock SAT score by an average of 431 points over the course of their two-week study programme, and some students even improved their score by over 79%.

Previous Students

"This course has been very useful. I learned new things and ways to improve my studies. I also improved my SAT score and I hope to get a good grade on the final exam." (Rebecca from Italy)

"The class was amazing. It had great material and good info that made me improve so much. Great class facilities, the beautiful environment and the amazing staff and activities made it a great summer experience. Thank you." (Dominic from Ecuador)

"‘The two weeks I studied here were the greatest of my student life so far." (Nikolaos from Greece)

Oxford Activities & Free Time

A full cultural and recreational programme is provided as a part of the course. Activities include museum tours, the botanic gardens, guest lectures and different summer sports, including the traditional English game of croquet. Students also have an opportunity to visit many of Oxford's most famous colleges and explore the fascinating museums and gardens. 

For "shopaholics" Oxford offers a wealth of charming markets and department stores. In the evenings, the programme offers students international parties, quiz nights, debates and variety performances. 

During the programme there are opportunities for students to take coach excursions where they will explore places of historic and cultural interest as well as enjoy London, Bicester Village shopping centre and evening social events at local country manors.

College Life

The course takes place on the campus of Balliol College, University Of Oxford.  Single rooms on the campus are provided. The rooms are within walking distance of the teaching rooms, dining hall and computer room. Male and female students are separated by corridors and/or staircases. The course includes breakfast and dinner in college dining hall, with packed lunches available during coach excursions. Lunch is not included but Oxford is scattered with cheap and healthy locations to buy lunch. 

Our Staff and Students

Our teachers come from a variety of different backgrounds. Some are teaching or have taught for the University of Oxford and some are well-established specialist tutors. Our experienced and friendly faculty offers our students a diverse range of teaching specialties and skills. Our alumni students have rated the teaching as one of the best aspects of their experiences in Oxford, many scoring their classes a perfect 10. For a full list of ORA 2011 teaching staff please see the PDF attached to the bottom of this page.

In the College itself students are overseen by the Programme Director, who implements the day-to-day running of the programme. The Director is assisted by a team of Counsellors who very often are current members of the University of Oxford.

The Counsellors ensure that students are looked after pastorally, culturally and socially during their programme. Students are able to talk informally and frankly to the Counsellors in order to raise concerns or to discuss university applications.

In terms of the demographics of the attendance of the programme, students come to ORA from all over the world. Studying alongside students from diverse backgrounds and learning more about different experiences, ambitions and cultures is a central part of the ORA experience.

To see more detailed information about the nationalities of our students click here.

Dates, Fees and Location

For more courses in July see also: Cambridge Enterprise Programme

Useful Information

• Note that arrival day is always a Sunday and departure day is always a Saturday.
• On arrival day, students will be able to check into their rooms after 12 midday.
• There is a welcome reception for students, friends and family at 5pm in the College grounds.
• On the departure day students need to check out of their rooms after breakfast at around 10am.
• Please note that Oxford Royale Academy does offer an airport transfer option that you can book separately. Click here for details
• Useful Information

How to Apply

There are two ways to apply:

 1. Apply Online
Click APPLY NOW

 2. Send in a paper application by Post or Fax
Application Form: Click here to go to the application page or use the attachment below.
Address: Oxford Royale Academy, St. Catherine's College, Manor Road, Oxford, OX1 3UJ, UK
Fax Number: +44 (0) 845 280 01 22

Procedure

You may choose to pay either the full course fee upon booking, or pay a deposit of £495 upon booking and pay the remaining balance 60 days before arrival in Oxford. As soon as the application form has been received with payment, a confirmation will be sent out to you along with further welcome pack materials.