The Breakdown of the SAT Format

Hey guys! I'm starting to prepare for the SAT and I'm confused about the exact format of the test. Could anybody give me a breakdown of the parts of the SAT—like how many sections are there, their individual time limits, stuff like that? Anything would be useful, thanks!

Absolutely, I can certainly give you a breakdown of the current SAT structure. As of Spring 2024, the SAT is fully digital and is divided into two major sections: Reading and Writing, and Math.

The Reading and Writing section consists of two 32-minute modules, each of which you have to complete 27 questions, making a total of 54 questions. You'll thus have approximately 71 seconds per question.

The Math section also has two 35-minute modules, each containing a total of 22 questions. This means you'll be doing 44 questions overall and have roughly 96 seconds per question, or a little over a minute and a half.

To give you a visual idea, here is a brief outline of the format:

1. Reading and Writing Section

- Module 1: 32 minutes (27 questions)

- Module 2: 32 minutes (27 questions)

2. Math Section

- Module 1: 35 minutes (22 questions)

- Module 2: 35 minutes (22 questions)

So, the total duration of the digital SAT is 134 minutes, during which you will need to complete 98 questions.

Furthermore, unlike the old SAT format, the new format does not have a no-calculator section. So, you're allowed to use a calculator on both modules of the math section.

Hope this helps! It's great that you're starting to prep for the SAT—knowing the format should really help with understanding how to organize your time during the exam. Best of luck with your preparation!