The SAT is a marathon, not a sprint. Managing your time effectively is just as important as knowing the content. Here are some proven strategies to help you master the clock on test day.

Contents

General Time Management Strategies

1. There’s No Penalty for Guessing: Your score is based on the number of questions you answer correctly. An unanswered question is the same as a wrong answer. Never leave a question blank!
2. Don’t Get Stuck: If a question is too difficult, make your best educated guess, circle it in your test booklet, and move on. You can come back to it later if you have time. It’s better to answer several easier questions than to spend five minutes on one hard one.
3. Keep an Eye on the Clock: Be aware of how much time you have left in each section. Check the clock after every passage in the Reading section and after every 10-15 questions in the Math and Writing sections.

Section-Specific Pacing Guide

Reading Section

• Total Time: 65 minutes for 52 questions (about 1 minute 15 seconds per question).
• Strategy: You have 5 passages to get through. A good strategy is to allocate 13 minutes per passage, which includes reading the passage and answering its 10-11 questions.

Writing and Language Section

• Total Time: 35 minutes for 44 questions (about 48 seconds per question).
• Strategy: This is the most time-pressured section. The key is to know your grammar rules cold so you can answer questions quickly. Aim to spend about 8-9 minutes per passage.

Math No-Calculator Section

• Total Time: 25 minutes for 20 questions (1 minute 15 seconds per question).
• Strategy: Questions generally increase in difficulty. Work through the first 15 multiple-choice questions steadily, then tackle the 5 grid-in questions.

Math Calculator Section

• Total Time: 55 minutes for 38 questions (about 1 minute 26 seconds per question).
• Strategy: The same principle of increasing difficulty applies. Don’t overuse your calculator; many questions can be solved faster without it.

Mastering time management comes from practice. The more full-length practice tests you take under timed conditions, the more natural your pacing will become.