The SAT exam is divided into two main sections: math and evidence-based reading and writing (EBRW). An optional essay is also included. Scores for the EBRW and Math sections ranges from 200 to 800. Although the SAT essay is an optional component of the application process, many colleges do require it. The score range for the SAT Essay section is 2 to 8.
- There are multiple-choice questions in both EBRW sections.
- Math is divided into two sets of questions: one without a calculator and one with a calculator.
- The majority of the mathematics questions are multiple-choice; some are grid-ins, which require students to solve and fill in the answer on the bubble sheet.
- The exam lasts 3 hours and 50 minutes for the SAT with Essay.
- EBRW has a time limit of 100 minutes and Math has a time limit of 80 minutes.
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SAT Exam Pattern Highlights
The table below illustrates the SAT exam pattern. Candidates will learn about the duration, number of questions, score range, and other details.
| Number of sections | 4 (2 EBRW; 2 Math) |
| Duration of exam | 180 minutes ( w/o Essay) |
| Number of questions | 154 |
| Score Range | 400-1600 |
| Language of paper | English |
| Mode of examination | Pencil-paper |
| Negative marking | None |
SAT Exam Pattern 2022
SAT Subject | SAT Exam Syllabus | No. of Questions | SAT Test Pattern |
| Math | This section contains problem-solving, data analysis, algebra, and advanced math questions. | 58 questions | Exam Duration: 80 mins Score: 200-800 |
| Reading | This section includes questions on sentence completion, comprehension of passages from US and international literature, history/social studies, and sciences. | 52 questions | Exam Duration: 65 mins Score Range: 200-800 (Combined with Writing Section) |
| Writing and Language | This section includes questions about expression of ideas, standard English conventions, and Careers, History/Social Studies, Humanities, and Sciences passages. | 44 questions | Exam Duration: 35 mins Score Range: 200-800 (Combined with Reading Section) |
| Total | n/a | 154 questions | Exam Duration: 3 hours Score: 1600 |
SAT Exam Syllabus 2022
The SAT Exam Syllabus includes courses that students have already studied in their school curriculum.SAT Exam Syllabus exam includes:
- Reading section
- Writing
- Mathematics
SAT Exam Syllabbus: Reading
- 52 multiple-choice questions from 5 passages must be answered in 65 minutes.
- One literary passage from a work of fiction, either American or international, such as a short story or a novel.
- There will be one or two passages from the United States' founding documents or the Great Global Conversation on topics such as liberty, justice, and human dignity.
- A collection of passages on economics, psychology, sociology, and other topics.
- Two passages from a scientific work
- Students must read the passage and respond to the question by telling a story, arguing, or explaining a study or experiment.
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Types of Questions Asked
- Command and evidence: Command and evidence questions make up a total of ten SAT reading questions.
- This question type focuses on searching for direct or implied information, finding passages that describe the information, analyzing main themes, identifying summarization, and analyzing links between ideas.
- Rhetorical: These type of questions entails questions about the author's meaning, style, or tone. The word choice questions are more concerned with effect than definition.
- Synthesis: Questions that ask students to draw conclusions and make connections between two passages or between passages and informational graphs such as tables, graphs, and charts.
- Words in context: A word in context question in the SAT question pattern focuses on advanced vocabulary. The emphasis, according to the College Board, should be on "high-utility academic words and phrases."
SAT Exam Syllabus: Writing
- The Writing test is a multiple-choice exam in which you read passages and must identify and correct errors.
- The 35-minute exam consists of four passages and 44 multiple-choice questions.
- Each passage is 400-450 words long and contains 11 multiple-choice questions.
Writing and Language passages can be taken from
- History/Social Studies
- Humanities
- Careers
- Science
Types of questions in the Writing test
- Expression of ideas that includes 24 questions, usually six for each passage
- Questions about organization that focus on the placement of information, ideas, and logical sequence
- Questions about development that are related to main ideas, supporting details, and quantitative data in graphs, charts, and tables
- Language use questions that require you to consider style and tone, improve precision, and eliminate wordiness
SAT Exam Syllabus: Mathematics
SAT Math is divided into two sections: math with calculator and math without a calculator.
- The candidates have to attempt 58 questions in 80 minutes
- This section has 80% multiple-choice questions and 20% grid ins.
- There are 30 multiple-choice questions and 8 grid-in questions in Math with Calculator.
- The SAT Math test is divided into two sections: Calculator and No Calculator. Math Test-Calculator has 38 questions and a time limit of 55 minutes, while Math Test No-Calculator has 20 questions and a time limit of 25 minutes.
The SAT has three Math sections.
- Algebra and functions - 25 minutes
- Geometry Statistics - 20 minutes
- Probability and data analysis - 20 minutes
- The Math Test focuses on various areas of math.
- The heart of algebra focuses on linear equations and systems.
- Problem solving and quantitative data analysis
- Passport to Advanced Math focuses on complex equation manipulation.
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The Math test also includes trigonometry and geometry, and the majority of the questions are multiple-choice, but the candidates must solve the problem in nearly 22 percent of the questions. The Math section is scored on a scale of 200-800.
Math Calculator test | |
| Time allotted | 25 min |
| Total no. of questions | 20 |
| Multiple-choice questions | 15 |
| Grid-in questions | 5 |
| Math No-Calculator test | |
| Time allotted | 55 min |
| Total no. of questions | 38 |
| Multiple-choice questions | 30 |
| Grid-in questions | 8 |
Types of questions asked in the Math test
The Math test is divided broadly into four categories.
Categories | Number of questions |
| Heart of Algebra | 19 |
| Problem Solving and Data Analysis | 17 |
| Passport to Advanced Math | 16 |
| Additional Topics in Math | 6 |
SAT Exam Syllabus: Essay
The essay section is optional, but most colleges require it to gain a better understanding of a student's personality and thought process.
- To take the Essay section the candidate has to pay extra additional fees into the basic SAT registration fee.
- Students have 50 minutes to write an essay on the given topic based on a passage.
- In their essays, students must consider and explain how the author used evidence, reasoning, and styling elements to make the passage convincing.
- Three separate scores on a scale of 2-8 are provided.
Types of Questions
The passage for the essay in each SAT may differ, but all passages include the following points:
- Written for a wide range of readers
- Argue a point
- Subtle opinions on complex issues
- To support claims, use logical reasoning and evidence.
- Investigate ideas, debates, or trends in the arts and sciences, as well as civic, cultural, and political life.
- Always based on previously published works