The Structure of the Digital SAT: R&W and Math
The Structure of the digital SAT comprises two sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. Students are allotted 64 minutes to finish the Reading and Writing section and 70 minutes to complete the Math section, resulting in a total test duration of 2 hours and 14 minutes.
Every section is subdivided into two modules of equal length, with a 10-minute break separating the Reading and Writing section from the Math section. The first module in each section encompasses a diverse range of easy, medium, and hard questions. Depending on the performance in the first module, the difficulty level of the second module will be adjusted, becoming either more challenging or less difficult.
The Structure of the Digital SAT: R&W and Math
The examination components are categorized as follows:
| Component | Time Allotted (minutes) | Number of Questions/Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 64 (two 32-minute modules) | 54 |
| Math | 70 (two 35-minute modules) | 44 |
| Total | 134 | 98 |
The majority of the questions are presented in a multiple-choice format; however, certain math questions require you to enter the answer instead of selecting it.
Prepare for the SAT Exam with Simulation Practice
On all questions, there's no penalty for guessing: if you're not sure of the answer, it's better to guess than leave the response blank.
The Reading and Writing Section Structure
The section on Reading and Writing introduces concise reading passages (or pairs of passages), each followed by a single multiple-choice question. These questions align with one of four content domains: Craft and Structure, Information and Ideas, Standard English Conventions, and Expression of Ideas. For effective time management, questions assessing comparable skills and knowledge are clustered together and organized in ascending order of difficulty.
The test is divided into 2 modules, each of which includes questions from all four different domains.
What the Reading and Writing Passages Are Like
The passages in the Reading and Writing section range from 25 to 150 words. Passages represent the subject areas of literature, history/social studies, the humanities, and science.
What the Reading and Writing Questions Are Like
The questions on the Reading and Writing section fall into four content domains:
- Information and Ideas: Measures comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills and knowledge and the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, and integrate information and ideas from texts and informational graphics (tables, bar graphs, and line graphs).
- Craft and Structure: Measures the comprehension, vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, and reasoning skills and knowledge needed to understand and use high-utility words and phrases in context, evaluate texts rhetorically, and make connections between topically related texts.
- Expression of Ideas: Measures the ability to revise texts to improve the effectiveness of written expression and to meet specific rhetorical goals.
- Standard English Conventions: Measures the ability to edit text to conform to core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.
The Math Section Structure
Similar to the Reading and Writing section, the Math section consists of two modules. Throughout this section, you will respond to both multiple-choice and student-produced response questions, assessing your fluency, understanding, and application of essential math concepts, skills, and practices.
Around 30% of the Math questions are contextual, requiring you to integrate math skills into science, social studies, or real-world scenarios. These context-based ("word") questions demand an understanding of the context to determine the correct answer.
Types of Math Tested:
| Type of Math | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Algebra | 13–15 |
| Advanced Math | 13–15 |
| Problem-Solving and Data Analysis | 5–7 |
| Geometry and Trigonometry | 5–7 |
The math questions are categorized into four groups, and each test module includes questions from all four categories. Within each module, questions are organized in ascending order of difficulty, providing you with the optimal chance to showcase your knowledge and abilities.
Algebra: Algebra assesses the capacity to analyze, proficiently solve, and formulate linear equations and inequalities. It also involves the analysis and proficient solution of equations and systems of equations using various methods.
Includes the following types of questions:
- Linear equations in 1 variable.
- Linear equations in 2 variables.
- Linear functions.
- Systems of 2 linear equations in 2 variables.
- Linear inequalities in 1 or 2 variables.
Geometry and Trigonometry: Geometry and Trigonometry measure the ability to solve problems that focus on the following:
- Area and volume formulas.
- Lines, angles, and triangles.
- Right triangles and trigonometry.
- Circles.
Advanced Math: Advanced Math emphasizes the mathematical concepts necessary for continued studies in fields like science or economics and for pursuing careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). This section evaluates proficiency in advanced topics, including understanding absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical, and other nonlinear equations.
Advanced Math includes the following types of questions:
- Equivalent expressions.
- Nonlinear equations in 1 variable.
- Systems of equations in 2 variables.
- Nonlinear functions.
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis: Problem-Solving and Data Analysis evaluates the capacity to apply quantitative reasoning to ratios, rates, and proportional relationships, comprehend and apply unit rates, and analyze and interpret one- and two-variable data. These skills emphasize quantitative literacy and showcase mastery of mathematics relevant to college courses, career training programs, and everyday life.
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis includes the following skills and knowledge testing points:
- Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units.
- Percentages.
- One-variable data: distributions and measures of center and spread.
- Two-variable data: models and scatterplots.
- Probability and conditional probability.
- Inference from sample statistics and margin of error.
- Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments.
How the SAT Is Scored
Each multiple-choice question is scored by awarding 1 point for each correct answer. No points are deducted for incorrect responses or unanswered questions. Equal weight is given to both challenging and easier questions. The table below illustrates all the scores you can attain on the SAT.
| SAT Score Reported | Details | Score Range |
|---|---|---|
| Total Score | Sum of the 2 section scores | 400 - 1600 |
| Section Scores (2) | Evidence-Based Reading and Writing.- Math | - 200 - 800- 200 - 800 |
Sending SAT Scores
When registering for the SAT, you can choose up to four colleges, universities, or scholarship programs to receive your scores without charge. You have the flexibility to designate your score recipients (i) during the registration process, (ii) at any time until the test date, or (iii) within nine days after completing the test. For these complimentary score reports, only the scores from the specified test date on the registration (or the makeup test, if applicable) will be sent, unless you explicitly request the inclusion of additional existing SAT scores, which may incur a fee. The organizations you choose for the free score sends are shared with your school and district.
Both the scores you receive and the reports sent to colleges and your high school encompass both total and section scores. Section scores undergo conversion to a point scale ranging from 200 to 800. These individual section scores are then combined to formulate a total score, falling within the range of 400 to 1600. In the case of additional score sends, all your accessible scores are included unless you make a specific choice, as further detailed later in this section.
When you request the sending of your scores to the colleges, universities, or scholarship programs of your choice, we transmit your scores along with certain demographic information and other details you provide during the SAT, following the guidelines outlined at sat.org/scores. These institutions may use the information to reach out to you regarding admissions, educational offerings, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities. It's important to note that receiving communication from these organizations does not imply admission or eligibility for a scholarship or financial aid program. To be considered for admission, you must submit an application to the respective college or university, and for scholarship programs, you must fulfill any additional requirements stipulated by the programs to be considered for their opportunities.
In some college and university systems, when you submit your score to one school, other schools within that system may automatically access your score. However, it's crucial to recognize that if you are applying to multiple schools within a college or university system, it is still necessary for you to individually send your SAT scores to each specific school. If you are uncertain whether the particular school you are applying to is part of such a system, it is advisable to reach out to the admission office of that school for clarification.
Online Scores
Your online scores offer an interpretation of your numerical results by presenting a summary of your performance in each section. Access to your online scores is available through your College Board account. In case you encounter difficulties accessing them online, your school has the option to print a copy for you. The online scores include:
- Percentiles that let you see how your results compare with those of other students like you.
- A search tool for careers and college majors, with suggestions based on information you provide in your profile.
Score Choice
If you take the SAT multiple times, you have the option of utilizing Score Choice™. This feature allows you to select and send specific scores to colleges. You can make choices based on the test date for the SAT. However, it's essential to be aware that certain colleges and scholarship programs may mandate the submission of all your scores, irrespective of the Score Choice option.
The online service of Score Choice is voluntary and pertains exclusively to scores that have already been received. It does not apply to the four free score sends you may choose, as those scores are automatically included in the respective score reports. If Score Choice is not utilized, all your SAT scores from the most recent six administrations will be sent. However, if you prefer only your highest scores to be visible from already released scores, you can opt for Score Choice.
Each school or program establishes its individual deadlines and policies regarding the utilization of scores. Relevant information is provided on the score-sending site for each participating organization. It is advisable to verify with the specific school or scholarship program to ensure adherence to its guidelines. It's important to note that we are not accountable for the accuracy of the information or the outcomes of your decisions.
Score Reporting
Your high school and the organizations you designate will automatically receive the score reports:
- Each time you take the SAT, the scores are added to your College Board record. All of your scores are reported to your high school.
- You have the option to request additional score reports, which will be dispatched to your specified colleges and scholarship programs a few weeks after the order is received. It's important to note that once you place an order to send scores, the request cannot be canceled.
- Score Choice lets you choose which released scores are sent.
- If your score is canceled, no score reports for that test date will be sent.
- If you take a makeup test, the score report(s) will include the score from the makeup test.
Benefits of Fee Waivers for Students with Financial Need
Students facing financial obstacles in taking the SAT may qualify for fee waivers from the College Board, covering testing expenses. To determine eligibility and verify it with the College Board, visit sat.org/feewaivers. Assistance in obtaining a fee waiver can also be sought from your school counselor or an authorized community-based organization representative. College Board extends fee waivers to qualified, income-eligible students aiming to take the SAT, covering 100% of registration fees for a single test date and allowing unlimited score sends to colleges, universities, and scholarship programs. Your fee waiver status may be shared with your school and district. Each eligible student can utilize up to 2 waivers for SAT administrations. Additionally, SAT fee waivers provide first-time, domestic applicants with CSS Profile® fee waivers. Further details can be found at: profileonline.collegeboard.org
Furthermore, seniors who utilize a fee waiver to take the SAT will automatically have their application fees waived at participating colleges and universities.
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