SAT Exam Sections: Everything You Need To Know
The Scholastic Assessment Test or SAT is a standardized test used by most US and Canadian universities for their admissions process. The SAT evaluates an applicant based on their skills in mathematics, evidence-based reading, and writing. One must have a clear understanding of the SAT exam pattern and the SAT exam syllabus before preparing for the test.
More than 1.7 million students take the SAT every year to get admission into universities in the US and Canada, hence they should be acquainted with the SAT syllabus, SAT question paper formats, and SAT exam subjects. The test has a total of three SAT Exam Sections – Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. In this blog, we get an overview of SAT exam sections.
SAT Exam: Overview
| Conducted by | College Board |
| Duration | 180 minutes |
| Exam type | For undergraduate courses |
| Registration fee | $68 (₹5700 approx) |
| Language | English |
| Sections | Three (Reading, Writing, and Maths) |
| Number of questions | 154 |
| Mode of exam | Pen-paper and Digital (for reading and writing) |
| Score range | 400-1600 |
| Negative marking | No |
SAT Exam Sections: Updates for SAT Syllabus
According to the latest update on SAT syllabus 2025, the new digital exam pattern is shorter, with a duration of 2 hours and 14 minutes, and a 10-minute break in between. Test takers can now navigate each section freely as the next one starts automatically once the previous one ends.
SAT Exam Sections: Type of SAT Exams
It is of two types, the SAT General Exam, and the SAT Subject Exam. The first one is standard for those seeking admission at an American university.
1. The SAT General Test
It measures the general readiness of aspirants applying to a college and their ability to solve basic problems in language and mathematics. The SAT syllabus assesses the candidates’ written, verbal, and mathematical skills and is generally used by undergraduate colleges for admissions.
The SAT syllabus for the General Test assesses a candidate on the basis of their general knowledge as well as critical reasoning.
2. The SAT Subject Test (Discontinued now)
It aims to assess students based on their skills in specific subjects that they choose as their specialization. SAT subject test syllabus judges the takers’ proficiency in individual subjects in the streams of science, mathematics, and languages. Colleges use SAT subject tests for admission and course placements.
The duration of the assessment is 1 hour and students are scored on a scale of 200 to 800. Colleges may also exempt students from certain college requirements like a first-year composition class or foreign language if they have a good SAT Subject Test score.
A Comprehensive Explanation of SAT Exam Sections
1. Reading & Writing
Students have 64 minutes (two 32-minute modules) to complete the Reading and Writing section, and each section is divided into two modules of equal length. The first module would be a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions.
Your performance in the first module will determine the level of difficulty of the second one. You have to answer short passages based on four content domains—Craft and Structure, Information and Ideas, Standard English Conventions, and Expression of Ideas.
Each of these passages is followed by a single multiple-choice question. To make things easier for you, questions that test similar skills and knowledge are grouped together and arranged from easiest to hardest.
2. Mathematics
This 70-minute-long section comprises 44 questions to evaluate the candidate’s mathematical reasoning. The score range is between 200 to 800 and has 40 operational questions, 4 pre-test questions.
The Math section of the digital SAT allows you to use a calculator throughout the test, unlike the previous version where it was divided into a ‘no calculator’ and a ‘calculator’ segment. Throughout this section, you have to answer multiple-choice and student-produced response questions.
These questions would measure your understanding of, fluency, and ability to apply the essential math concepts, skills, and practices.
Understanding the SAT Exam Sections
The syllabus of the SAT exam is divided into two broad categories of evidence-based reading and writing, and mathematics. It is based on the courses students have already studied in schools for years.
Students will have a better understanding of the SAT exam section and SAT exam subjects from the following table:
| Sections | Questions | Duration | Score range |
| Reading & Writing | 54 (50 operational questions, 4 pre-test questions) | 64 minutes | 200-800 |
| Mathematics | 44 (40 operational questions, 4 pre-test questions) | 70 minutes | 200-800 |
| Total | 134 minutes | 400-1600 |
Description of SAT Exam Sections
| Reading and Writing | The passages that students have to go through in this section range from 25 to 150 words, and they represent the subject areas of humanities, literature, history/social studies, and science. |
| Mathematics | In this section, candidates are tested on the areas of math that are detrimental to their success in college and career. Mostly, the questions are related to Algebra, Geometry & Trigonometry, Advanced Math, and Problem-solving and Data Analysis. |
Types of Questions in SAT Reading and Writing Test
The questions in the SAT Reading and Writing section are based on four categories that are as follows:
1. Information and Ideas
The questions under this category measure comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills. In addition, your ability to identify, evaluate, interpret, and compile information and ideas from informational graphics (tables, bar graphs, and line graphs) and texts are put to the test.
2. Craft and Structure
The questions in this section measure vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, comprehension, and reasoning skills. If you possess the knowledge needed to understand and use high-utility words and can put phrases into context, connect topically related texts, and evaluate texts rhetorically, then you can score well in this section.
3. Expression of Ideas
Your ability to revise texts to improve to make the written expressions more effective, and to meet specific rhetorical goals are put to the test in this category.
4. Standard English Conventions
The questions require you to edit text according to the core conventions of standard English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.
Types of Questions in SAT Mathematics Test
The types of questions asked are based on the SAT exam Maths Syllabus which is divided into four primary categories:
a)Algebra, which focuses on testing the candidate’s mastery of linear equations and systems
b) Problem-Solving and Data Analysis require them to answer questions with ratios, proportional reasoning, percentages, probability and conditional probability, and data interpretation
c) Advanced Math challenges their capabilities to solve complicated equations and functions of mathematics
d) Geometry and Trigonometry tests your abilities to solve problems related to area and volume formulas, lines, angles, and triangles, and right triangles and trigonometry.
Breakdown of the Number of Questions Asked in Each Types
| Types of Math | Number of Questions |
| Algebra | 13-15 |
| Problem Solving and Data Analysis | 5-7 |
| Advanced Math | 13-15 |
| Geometry and Trigonometry | 5-7 |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the SAT Exam Sections for 2025 offers Indian students a structured framework to assess their readiness for college-level education in the United States and Canada. Understanding the detailed exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation, encompassing critical reading, writing, and mathematical reasoning skills.
Indian students aiming for high scores should focus on familiarizing themselves with the exam’s format, practising with sample questions, and developing test-taking strategies.