Hey! I'll be taking the SAT soon and I'd like to know how long the test lasts, including any breaks. How much time should I set aside on the test day?
Hey there! The duration of the SAT test, including breaks, is approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. Here's the breakdown for your test day:
1. Reading section: 65 minutes
2. Writing and Language section: 35 minutes
3. Math - No Calculator section: 25 minutes
4. Math - Calculator section: 55 minutes
In addition to these sections, there are breaks in between, which total to about 15 minutes:
- After the Reading section, there's a 10-minute break.
- After the Math - No Calculator section, there's a 5-minute break.
If you're taking the SAT with the optional Essay section, the test will last an additional 50 minutes, making the total test time around 4 hours and 7 minutes. There will be an extra 2-minute break before the Essay section begins.
On test day, you should also account for time spent arriving at the test center, checking-in, and settling into your seat. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early, so in total, allocate around 3 hours and 45 minutes (or 4 hours and 37 minutes with the Essay) for the entire SAT testing experience.
Good luck with your SAT preparation!
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