Good day everyone! I'm gearing up to face the SAT and I could use some help understanding how the test works. How many sections are there? What's the time limit? And are there negative marks for incorrect answers?
Hello there! I'm happy to provide some insight into the structure and rules of the SAT. Ever since it transitioned to a fully digital format in Spring 2024, the SAT has been a little different.
The SAT now comprises two main sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. These sections are divided into four modules: 2 for Reading and Writing, and 2 for Math.
Each module for Reading and Writing is 32 minutes, within which you'll answer a total of 54 questions, so you have, on average, about 71 seconds per question. For the Math section, each module is 35 minutes, in which you have to answer 44 questions. This gives you 96 seconds per question, which is slightly over a minute and a half.
The total duration of the SAT is therefore 134 minutes to answer 98 questions in total.
One big advantage you'll have is that there's no longer a no-calculator section on the SAT. You're allowed to use your calculator on both Math modules, which can make those sections a bit more manageable.
And to address your question about penalties for incorrect answers – there are none! The SAT follows a rights-only scoring policy, which means you simply earn points for the questions you get right, and you neither gain nor lose anything for questions you answer incorrectly or leave blank. Thus, even if you're not sure about an answer, it's always best to give it a shot!
I hope this helps and wish you good luck for your prep!
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