So, you’re getting ready to take the SAT™: the standardized test many colleges use for admissions. Understanding the exam’s structure is a crucial first step in your prep journey. This article breaks down the format so you know exactly what to expect on test day. For more information, check out our SAT Overview: Everything You Need to Know.
Contents
Overall Structure
The test has two main sections:
- Reading and Writing
- Math
These sections are designed to assess skills you’ve developed in high school, skills that are also important for college success. The total testing time is 2 hours and 14 minutes, not including breaks.
Reading and Writing Section (64 minutes)
This section is all about reading passages and answering questions about them, as well as improving written text. Let’s delve deeper:
Reading Module (32 minutes, 27 questions)
- You’ll encounter a variety of passages, including ones from literature, history, science, and social studies.
- Some passages will be accompanied by informational graphics, like charts or tables, that you’ll need to interpret.
- Questions will test your ability to:
- Understand the main idea
- Analyze the author’s purpose and tone
- Find evidence that supports a claim
- Figure out the meaning of words in context
- This module may take some time to get used to, so it’s best to do an SAT practice test or two to familiarize yourself.
Want more details on this? Head over to SAT Reading Section: Content, Format & Preparation.
Writing and Language Module (32 minutes, 27 questions)
- You will be given texts with underlined portions and asked to improve them.
- Questions will assess your ability to:
- Improve sentence structure and clarity
- Correct errors in grammar and punctuation
- Make sure the writing is stylistically consistent
- Be sure to brush up on SAT Grammar and SAT Punctuation.
For a comprehensive look at this module, check out SAT Writing & Language Section: Overview & Skills Tested.
Math Section (70 minutes)
This section evaluates your mathematical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. There are two modules: one where you can use a calculator and one where you can’t.
Math with Calculator Module (35 minutes, 22 questions)
- This section has a mix of multiple-choice and student-produced response questions (grid-ins).
- You’ll tackle problems related to:
- Algebra
- Problem-solving and data analysis
- Advanced math topics (e.g., trigonometry, complex numbers)
- Most questions on this module will be word problems.
- Having a solid understanding of SAT Math Formulas is essential.
- For tips on using a calculator effectively, see SAT Math Calculator Section: Strategies & Tips.
Math No-Calculator Module (35 minutes, 22 questions)
- You’ll face questions similar to the calculator section but without the aid of a calculator.
- The focus here is on:
- Linear equations and systems
- Functions
- Manipulating algebraic expressions
- Since it is difficult to do mental calculations of complex problems, they will often require different approaches than the Calculator Module.
- SAT Math No-Calculator Section: Strategies & Tips can provide strategies for approaching this portion.
For a broader overview of the Math section, visit SAT Math Section: Overview & Topics Covered.
Timing Breakdown
Here’s a simple summary of the timing:
- Reading and Writing: 64 minutes
- Reading: 32 minutes
- Writing and Language: 32 minutes
- Math: 70 minutes
- With Calculator: 35 minutes
- Without Calculator: 35 minutes
Breaks
There are short breaks between each module. These breaks are a great time to stretch, have a snack, or use the restroom. Keep in mind, you cannot work on previous modules or skip ahead.
What’s Next?
Now that you have a grasp of the test format, you can start developing a targeted study plan. Here are some resources to help you:
By understanding the test format and utilizing available resources, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the exam and achieve your target score. Good luck!
