How Many Passages are on the SAT Reading Section?

I was wondering, how many passages are there typically in the reading section of the SAT? I want to build a good pacing strategy and knowing the number would be helpful.

The Reading Section of the digital SAT, as of spring 2024, comprises two 32-minute modules that contain a total of 54 questions. While the College Board does not provide specific guidance on the number of passages on the test, traditionally, the section comprises five passages, this could include one historical document (from the U.S. founding documents or the global conversation), one passage from literature, one social science passage, and two science passages.

While there may be minor variations, you should prepare based on this structure. Regarding pacing, you're given an average of about 1 minute and 11 seconds per question, which would approximately come to 12-14 minutes per passage (assuming that each passage has around 10-11 questions). Remember, aiming to spend less time on the passage reading and more on the answering questions is typically a good approach, as most of the information you need to answer the question is usually in the question itself. This being said, it's essential to find a strategy and pace that works most comfortable for your personal test-taking style. Practice is key to refining this, and using resources like the Bluebook™ app can assist in mimicking the test-taking environment.