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The SAT is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. It’s designed to assess your readiness for college-level work. The test is now fully digital and consists of two main sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect in each section.
This section combines what used to be two separate sections on the old paper-based SAT. It tests your comprehension, analysis, and editing skills.
• Format: Two modules, each with 27 questions.
• Time: 32 minutes per module (64 minutes total).
• Passage Length: The passages are short, ranging from 25 to 150 words, and each is followed by a single question.
• Content: The passages cover a wide range of subjects, including literature, history/social studies, science, and humanities. You’ll also encounter poetry.
• Skills Tested:
• Information and Ideas: Finding the main idea, locating specific details, and making inferences.
• Craft and Structure: Analyzing the author’s purpose, text structure, and point of view.
• Expression of Ideas: Improving transitions and synthesizing information.
• Standard English Conventions: Grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.
The Math section tests your ability to solve problems in algebra, advanced math, problem-solving and data analysis, and geometry and trigonometry.
• Format: Two modules, each with 22 questions.
• Time: 35 minutes per module (70 minutes total).
• Calculator Policy: You can use a calculator on the entire Math section. The digital SAT has a built-in Desmos calculator, but you can also bring your own approved calculator.
• Content:
• Algebra (about 35%): Linear equations and inequalities, systems of equations.
• Advanced Math (about 35%): Quadratic equations, exponential functions, and other nonlinear functions.
• Problem-Solving and Data Analysis (about 15%): Ratios, percentages, and data interpretation from tables and graphs.
• Geometry and Trigonometry (about 15%): Area, volume, circles, triangles, and basic trigonometry.
• It’s Adaptive: The digital SAT is a multi-stage adaptive test. Your performance on the first module of each section determines the difficulty of the second module.
• It’s Shorter: The digital SAT is about an hour shorter than the old paper-based test.
• You Can Use a Calculator on All Math: No more separate no-calculator and calculator sections.
• Short Passages: The Reading and Writing section has short passages with one question each, which is a big change from the long passages on the old test.
Understanding the format and content of the SAT is the first step to a great score. At Preppinbee, our platform is designed to help you master the skills you need for every part of the test. Good luck!
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