For the reading test, it says that I have 65 minutes to answer all 52 questions, but for the writing and language test, I have 35 minutes to answer all 44 questions, as a person who struggles with that topic, how can I make sure that I can answer ALL 44 questions, right or wrong, in that amount of time?

For anybody coming upon this question, the 44 questions for writing are much faster than the reading ones. They are mostly grammar so u dont need to read in-depth regarding a passage

This question is for those who wrote the real sat exam:Are khan academys questions harder than the real sat?

Khanacademy questions are actually variants of previous questions, also if you try the practice tests, you will see they are linked to other practice tests you can find online as they are from previous years

Hey everybody.I did a full full test today and I scored 1070(500 in reading & writing,570 in math).It's the first full test that I have done and I haven't studied for Sat at all. I'D like to score 1500 and above ,how do I improve my skills in these areas?Kindly help!

Go back to the questions you answered wrong and try to really understand why you got that question wrong. Also try to figure out why you thought the right answer was wrong. If you work on your strong and your weak areas equally, you will not make as much progress as you want to. Focus on getting your weak areas stronger, then I would take another practice test. The SAT test is like a boat and your weak areas are like holes in the boat. You need to plug in the holes to prevent the boat from sinking. And remember, the College Board only has a limited number of practice tests, so use them wisely!

When is the best time to take the SAT? I'm planning on taking my test in my junior year (11th grade).

Many students take the SAT (and the ACT!) in the spring of their junior year and again (if they feel that it's necessary) in the fall of their senior year. I'd recommend taking it for the first time once you've finished Algebra 2. Make sure to take the PSAT in October! Some people take the SAT and ACT as early as the fall of their sophomore year, often to have scores to put on summer program applications or to have a lot of time to improve their score. This isn't always truly necessary, though! Talk to your counselor to figure out the best time for you to take the SAT.

is there still an experimental section in the new SAT ?

Are you talking about the last section of the test that is randomly chosen for anyone? (It is a random section at the end of the second math portion and it is different for everyone whether it is reading, writing, or math). If this is what you are asking about, yes, they had that on the test when I took it last month. I had reading on mine, luckily that is the portion of the test that is easiest and that I score the highest on.

Would you recommend doing the optional essay?

Since this was 10 months ago, I'm not sure you still need the info, but this year, they are planning on removing the essay, so I wouldn't recommend it.

What kind of math will I need to be most familiar with?

Algebra 1, High school geometry, Algebra 2, and a little bit of stuff from High school statistics.

if i find an unknown word in the paragraph, how can I guess it precisely ?

The best way to guess the meaning of a word is to look at the context of the word. Is the word a verb? noun? adjective? How is it used? Are the words "but" or "and" by it? These will help you guess what the meaning of the word is.

In the practice test there is a fifth option of 'guessing'. Is this option available in the real sat also?

Hey Prachi! No, there is no guessing option on the real SAT test that I know of. You can guess, but you have to pick one of the answers (A B C or D). Does that answer your question?

SAT content and format (article)

Main content

SAT

Unit 1: Lesson 1

SAT content and format

Google Classroom

An overview of the SAT

The SAT tests skills that you are learning in high school—skills you're likely to need in college and beyond.

Here's an overview of the content areas and question formats you can expect to see on the SAT:

Evidence-based reading and writing

Words in context

You will be tested on words that appear frequently in high-school-level and college-level texts.

Range of sources

You'll be asked to analyze, synthesize, and interpret data from a range of sources, including tables, charts, and graphs, as well as multi-paragraph passages in the following areas:

Literature and literary nonfiction
The humanities
Science
History and social studies
Work and career

Command of evidence

For every passage or pair of passages you’ll see during the Reading Test, at least one question will ask you to identify which part of the text best supports the answer to the previous question. In other instances, you’ll be asked to find the best answer to a question by pulling together information conveyed in words and graphics.

The Writing and Language Test also focuses on command of evidence. It will ask you to analyze a series of sentences or paragraphs and decide if they make sense. Other questions will ask you to interpret graphics and to edit a part of the accompanying passage so that it clearly and accurately communicates the information in the graphics.

The Math that matters most

The Math Test focuses in depth on three essential areas of math: Problem Solving and Data Analysis, Heart of Algebra, and Passport to Advanced Math.

Questions from the Problem Solving and Data Analysis area will require you to use ratios, percentages, and proportional reasoning to solve problems in science, social science, and career contexts.
Questions from the Heart of Algebra area focus on the mastery of linear equations and systems, which help students develop key powers of abstraction.
The Passport to Advanced Math questions focus on more complex equations and the manipulation they require.

Problems grounded in real-world contexts

Throughout the SAT—in the Math Test, the Reading Test, and the Writing and Language Test—you will be asked questions grounded in the real world, directly related to work performed in college and career.

Analysis in science and analysis in history/social studies

You will be asked to apply your knowledge in reading, writing, language, and math to answer questions in science and history/social studies contexts. Questions will require you to read and understand texts and to synthesize information presented through texts and graphics.

Founding documents and great global conversations

These reading passages focus on major founding political documents and the great global conversations they inspire.

Essay analyzing a source

The optional essay will no longer be part of weekend SATs.

However, the following states will be administering the SAT with Essay in the 2021-2022 academic year as part of their spring state-wide assessment system:

Colorado
Delaware
Illinois
Michigan
New Hampshire
Oklahoma

To find out more, check out our article The SAT Essay: Overview

Section Breakdown

Here are the main components of the SAT:

Reading Test – 65 minutes, 52 questions

Writing and Language Test – 35 minutes, 44 questions

Math Test – two sections:
1) No calculator – 25 minutes, 20 questions
2) Calculator permitted – 55 minutes, 38 questions

If you live in Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, New Hampshire, or Oklahoma, and you are taking the SAT on a school day, you may be required to write the essay (50 minutes).

Scoring

The SAT is scored on a 400 to 1600 scale. You will also receive subscore reporting for every test—math, reading, and writing and language—plus additional subscores to provide added insight into your test performance.

The optional essay doesn't contribute to this score.

No penalty for guessing

No points are deducted for wrong answers, so don't leave anything blank!

For details about what each section of the SAT contains, check out more articles and videos in Tips and Strategies

Attributions

This article was adapted from “Test Specifications for the Redesigned SAT” from The College Board.

Sort by:

Want to join the conversation?

Taylor Berry
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to Taylor Berry's post “For the reading test, it ...”
For the reading test, it says that I have 65 minutes to answer all 52 questions, but for the writing and language test, I have 35 minutes to answer all 44 questions, as a person who struggles with that topic, how can I make sure that I can answer ALL 44 questions, right or wrong, in that amount of time?
(143 votes)
Answer
- mlee4962
  Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to mlee4962's post “For anybody coming upon t...”
  For anybody coming upon this question, the 44 questions for writing are much faster than the reading ones. They are mostly grammar so u dont need to read in-depth regarding a passage
  (27 votes)
Utkarsh Bhagat
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to Utkarsh Bhagat's post “This question is for thos...”
This question is for those who wrote the real sat exam:Are khan academys questions harder than the real sat?
(74 votes)
Answer
- Patrick
  Posted 2 years ago. Direct link to Patrick's post “Khanacademy questions are...”
  Khanacademy questions are actually variants of previous questions, also if you try the practice tests, you will see they are linked to other practice tests you can find online as they are from previous years
  (45 votes)
Ash
Posted 6 years ago. Direct link to Ash's post “When is the best time to ...”
When is the best time to take the SAT? I'm planning on taking my test in my junior year (11th grade).
(19 votes)
Answer
- Sarah
  Posted 6 years ago. Direct link to Sarah's post “Many students take the SA...”
  Many students take the SAT (and the ACT!) in the spring of their junior year and again (if they feel that it's necessary) in the fall of their senior year. I'd recommend taking it for the first time once you've finished Algebra 2. Make sure to take the PSAT in October!
  
  Some people take the SAT and ACT as early as the fall of their sophomore year, often to have scores to put on summer program applications or to have a lot of time to improve their score. This isn't always truly necessary, though! Talk to your counselor to figure out the best time for you to take the SAT.
  (54 votes)
Herbert Okuthe
Posted 6 years ago. Direct link to Herbert Okuthe's post “Hey everybody.I did a ful...”
Hey everybody.I did a full full test today and I scored 1070(500 in reading & writing,570 in math).It's the first full test that I have done and I haven't studied for Sat at all. I'D like to score 1500 and above ,how do I improve my skills in these areas?Kindly help!
(27 votes)
Answer
- Pranu
  Posted a year ago. Direct link to Pranu's post “Go back to the questions ...”
  Go back to the questions you answered wrong and try to really understand why you got that question wrong. Also try to figure out why you thought the right answer was wrong. If you work on your strong and your weak areas equally, you will not make as much progress as you want to. Focus on getting your weak areas stronger, then I would take another practice test. The SAT test is like a boat and your weak areas are like holes in the boat. You need to plug in the holes to prevent the boat from sinking. And remember, the College Board only has a limited number of practice tests, so use them wisely!
  (17 votes)
Chiedza Vushe
Posted 7 years ago. Direct link to Chiedza Vushe's post “is there still an experim...”
is there still an experimental section in the new SAT ?
(14 votes)
Answer
- jordanroth001
  Posted 2 years ago. Direct link to jordanroth001's post “Are you talking about the...”
  Are you talking about the last section of the test that is randomly chosen for anyone? (It is a random section at the end of the second math portion and it is different for everyone whether it is reading, writing, or math). If this is what you are asking about, yes, they had that on the test when I took it last month. I had reading on mine, luckily that is the portion of the test that is easiest and that I score the highest on.
  (7 votes)
Prachi Chaubey
Posted 6 years ago. Direct link to Prachi Chaubey's post “In the practice test ther...”
In the practice test there is a fifth option of 'guessing'. Is this option available in the real sat also?
(1 vote)
Answer
- kendra
  Posted 6 years ago. Direct link to kendra's post “Hey Prachi! No, there is ...”
  Hey Prachi!
  No, there is no guessing option on the real SAT test that I know of. You can guess, but you have to pick one of the answers (A B C or D). Does that answer your question?
  (25 votes)
Ashley Pierre
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to Ashley Pierre's post “What would you recommend ...”
What would you recommend as the #1 tip on scoring high on the SAT?
(5 votes)
Answer
- happycontortionist
  Posted 2 months ago. Direct link to happycontortionist's post “Find your weak areas and ...”
  Find your weak areas and study those topics a LOT!I did that and took one of the practice tests and scored a 1230 first try!So, yeah... STUDY, STUDY, STUDY is my answer! Study smart!
  (1 vote)
Aileen
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to Aileen's post “Would you recommend doing...”
Would you recommend doing the optional essay?
(7 votes)
Answer
- Ritika Gurjar
  Posted 2 years ago. Direct link to Ritika Gurjar's post “Since this was 10 months ...”
  Since this was 10 months ago, I'm not sure you still need the info, but this year, they are planning on removing the essay, so I wouldn't recommend it.
  (2 votes)
Kabya Roy
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to Kabya Roy's post “if i find an unknown word...”
if i find an unknown word in the paragraph, how can I guess it precisely ?
(2 votes)
Answer
- kendra
  Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to kendra's post “The best way to guess the...”
  The best way to guess the meaning of a word is to look at the context of the word. Is the word a verb? noun? adjective? How is it used? Are the words "but" or "and" by it? These will help you guess what the meaning of the word is.
  (11 votes)
brinly.tekiele
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to brinly.tekiele's post “What kind of math will I ...”
What kind of math will I need to be most familiar with?
(5 votes)
Answer
- Br Paul
  Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to Br Paul's post “Algebra 1, High school ge...”
  Algebra 1, High school geometry, Algebra 2, and a little bit of stuff from High school statistics.
  (5 votes)