SAT
The SAT is a 3 hour 50 minute exam (including an optional essay which takes 50 minutes), consisting of five sections: Reading, Writing, Math (with calculator), Math (no calculator), and Essay (optional).
| SAT Test Section | # of Questions and Types | Content | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| EVIDENCE-BASED READING & WRITING | Reading 52 standard multiple-choice Writing 44 standard multiple-choice | Relevant words in context (Reading, Writing) Command of evidence (Reading, Writing) Expression of ideas (Writing) Standard English conventions (Writing) | 100 minutes Reading One 65-minute section Writing One 35-minute section |
| MATHEMATICS | 45 standard multiple-choice 13 student-produced response | The heart of algebra Passport to advanced math Problem solving & data analysis | 80 minutes One 25-minute section (no calculator) One 55-minute section (calculator allowed) |
| ESSAY (OPTIONAL) | 1 evidence-based essay | Analyzing a source | 50 minutes One 50-minute essay |
The SAT is a paper-based test administered at schools and sites around the country on select dates throughout the year. Students are allowed to take the test as many times as they want; most universities will only look at the highest score or the super-score (a combination of the highest sections). However, since the scoring format changed in 2016, schools may tweak their policies accordingly. For more accurate information, please contact individual universities to confirm their score acceptance policy.
SAT SCORING
College Board does not deduct any points for an incorrect question. The SAT scoring model has become more complex, providing a more detailed analysis and breakdown of students’ scores. Area scores, each scored out of 800, are combined to create a composite score for a maximum possible score of 1600.