SAT Overview

About the SAT

The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test created and administered by the College Board. The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important SAT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school. Overall, the higher you score on the SAT and/or ACT, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you.

When should I take the SAT?

Most high school students take the SAT, the ACT, or both during the spring of their junior year or fall of their senior year. It's important to leave time to re-take the test if you need to raise your score before you apply to college. The SAT exam is offered nationally every year in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. View all upcoming SAT test dates.

What is on the SAT?

There are two  SAT sections: 

• Math

• Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

The SAT also includes an optional Essay section. SAT Essay scores are reported separately from overall test scores. Some colleges may require that you complete the SAT Essay. You can confirm each college's admissions policies on the school website or on our  school profiles.

How long is the SAT?

The SAT is 3 hours long. If you choose to take the SAT with Essay, the test will be 3 hours and 50 minutes.

How is the SAT scored?

Each section of the SAT is scored on a 200 to 800 point scale. Your total SAT score is the sum of your section scores. The highest possible SAT score is 1600. If you take the Essay, you will receive a separate score.

How do I register for the SAT?

SAT registration deadlines fall approximately five weeks before each test date. Register online on the College Board website. The  College Board may require SAT registration by mail under special circumstances.

What is digital SAT

The Digital SAT is an online version of the SAT, a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. The College Board, the organization that administers the SAT, introduced the digital format to modernize the test-taking process and improve the overall experience for students. Here are some key features and aspects of the Digital SAT:

Format and Structure:

1. The Digital SAT is taken on a computer, either at a test center or, in some cases, at home.

2. The test still includes sections on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math.

3. The content and question types remain similar to the paper-based SAT, but with some adjustments to suit the digital format.

4. Test Interface:

5. Students use a digital platform to answer questions, with tools like a built-in calculator for the Math section, annotation features, and a timer.

6. The interface is designed to be user-friendly, with easy navigation between questions and sections. Adaptive Testing:

• The digital version may use a form of adaptive testing, where the difficulty of questions adjusts based on the test-taker's performance. This aims to provide a more precise measurement of a student's abilities.

Security and Fairness:

• The digital format incorporates measures to ensure test security and integrity, including randomizing question order and using remote proctoring for at-home tests.

• The College Board has implemented protocols to maintain fairness and accessibility for all students.

Preparation:

• Students can prepare for the Digital SAT using online resources provided by the College Board, including practice tests and tutorials on how to navigate the digital platform.

• Many traditional SAT prep materials remain relevant, although students might also focus on familiarizing themselves with the digital interface.

Advantages:

• Faster score reporting: The digital format allows for quicker processing and reporting of scores.

• Flexible scheduling: Some testing windows offer more flexibility in scheduling the test.

• Enhanced test experience: The digital tools and features aim to create a smoother and more efficient test-taking experience.

Digital SAT Suite Test Specifications at a Glance

Table 1: Format and delivery details for the digital SAT Suite

Category	Reading and Writing (RW) Section	Math Section
Format	Two-stage adaptive test design: one Reading and Writing section administered via two separately timed modules	Two-stage adaptive test design: one Math section administered via two separately timed modules
Test length (number of operational and pretest questions)	1st module: 25 operational questions and 2 pretest questions 2nd module: 25 operational questions and 2 pretest questions	1st module: 20 operational questions and 2 pretest questions 2nd module: 20 operational questions and 2 pretest questions
Time per stage	1st module: 32 minutes 2nd module: 32 minutes	1st module: 35 minutes 2nd module: 35 minutes
Total number of questions	54 questions	44 questions
Total time allotted	64 minutes	70 minutes
Scores reported	Total score RW and Math section scores
Question type(s) used	Discrete; four-option multiple-choice	Discrete; four-option multiple­ choice (~75%) and student- produced response (SPR) (~25%)
Stimulus topics	Literature, history/social studies, humanities, science	Science, social science, real-world topics
Informational graphics	Yes; tables, bar graphs, line graphs	Yes

Content Specifications

Reading and Writing

The Reading and Writing section of the digital SAT Suite assessments is designed to measure students’ attainment of critical college and career readiness in literacy. The section focuses on key elements of comprehension, rhetoric, and language use that the best available evidence identifies as necessary for college readiness and success. In this section, students answer multiple-choice questions requiring them to read, comprehend, and use information and ideas in texts; analyze the craft and structure of texts; revise texts to improve the rhetorical expression of ideas; and edit texts to conform to core conventions of Standard English.

Reading and Writing content domains

Questions on the Reading and Writing Section represent one of four content domains:

§ Craft and Structure: Measures the comprehension, vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, and reasoning skills and knowledge needed to understand and use high-utility words and phrases in context, evaluate texts rhetorically, and make connections between topically related texts

§ Information and Ideas: Measures comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills and knowledge and the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, and integrate information and ideas from texts and informational graphics (tables, bar graphs, and line graphs)

§ Standard English Conventions: Measures the ability to edit texts to conform to core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation

§ Expression of Ideas: Measures the ability to revise texts to improve the effectiveness of written expression and to meet specific rhetorical goals

Questions from all four domains appear in each Reading and Writing test module, beginning with Craft and Structure questions and then continuing through Information and Ideas, Standard English Conventions, and Expression of Ideas questions. Questions within the Craft and Structure, Information and Ideas, and Expression of Ideas content domains that test similar skills and knowledge are grouped together to reduce the need for context switching and arranged from easiest to hardest. This makes it easier for students to budget their time and allows each test taker the best opportunity to show what they know and can do. Questions in the Standard English Conventions content domain are arranged from easiest to hardest regardless of which specific convention is being tested. Table 2 provides a breakdown of question distribution by content domain.

Digital SAT Suite of Assessments Reading and Writing Section Content Domains and Question Distribution

Content Domain	Domain Description	Skill/Knowledge Testing Points	Operational Question Distribution
Craft and Structure	Students will use comprehension, vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, and reasoning skills and knowledge to understand and use high-utility words and phrases in context, evaluate texts rhetorically, and make connections between topically related texts.	Words in Context Text Structure and Purpose Cross-Text Connections	-28% / 13-15 questions
Information and Ideas	Students will use comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills and knowledge and the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, and integrate information and ideas from texts and informational graphics.	Central Ideas and Details Command of Evidence § Textual § Quantitative Inferences	-26% / 12-14 questions
Standard English Conventions	Students will use editing skills and knowledge to make text conform to core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.	Boundaries Form, Structure, and Sense	-26% / 11-15 questions
Expression of Ideas	Students will use the ability to revise texts to improve the effectiveness of written expression and to meet specific rhetorical goals.	Rhetorical Synthesis Transitions	-20% / 8-12 questions

Math

The Math section of the digital SAT Suite assessments is designed to measure students’ attainment of critical college and career readiness knowledge and skills in math. The digital SAT Suite Math section focuses on key elements of algebra, advanced math, problem­solving and data analysis, and geometry and trigonometry (except for the PSAT 8/9 which does not test trigonometry) that evidence identifies as necessary for college and career readiness and success. Over the course of the Math section, students answer multiple­choice and student-produced response (SPR) questions that measure their fluency with, understanding of, and ability to apply the math concepts, skills, and practices that are most essential for readiness for entry-level postsecondary work.

Math content domains

Questions on the Math section represent one of four content domains:

§ Algebra: Measures the ability to analyze, fluently solve, and create linear equations and inequalities as well as analyze and fluently solve equations and systems of equations using multiple techniques

§ Advanced Math: Measures skills and knowledge central for progression to more advanced math courses, including demonstrating an understanding of absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical, and other nonlinear equations

§ Problem-Solving and Data Analysis: Measures the ability to apply quantitative reasoning about ratios, rates, and proportional relationships; understand and apply unit rate; and analyze and interpret one- and two-variable data

§ Geometry and Trigonometry (SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10)/Geometry (PSAT 8/9): Measures the ability to solve problems that focus on area and volume; angles, triangles, and trigonometry; and circles (NOTE: PSAT 8/9 doesn’t include trigonometry questions.)

Questions from all four content domains appear in each test module. Across each module, questions are arranged from easiest to hardest, allowing each test taker the best opportunity to demonstrate what they know and can do. Table 3 provides an overview of the question distribution by content domain.

This table below shows information for the SAT. Tables for the PSAT-related assessments are broadly similar and can be found in the full Assessment Framework document.

			Operational
Content	Domain	Skill/Knowledge	Question
Domain	Description	Testing Points	Distribution
		Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units
		Percentages One-variable data: distributions and measures of center
	Students will apply quantitative	and spread
Problem­ Solving and Data Analysis	reasoning about ratios, rates, and proportional relationships; understand and apply unit rate; and analyze and interpret one- and two-variable data.	Two-variable data: models and scatterplots Probability and conditional probability Inference from sample statistics and margin of error Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments	-15% / 5-7 questions
		Area and volume
	Students will solve problems	Lines, angles,	-15% / 5-7 questions
Geometry and Trigonometry	that focus on area and volume; angles, triangles, and	and triangles Right triangles and
		trigonometry; and circles.	trigonometry
		Circles

Scoring

Each of the digital SAT Suite assessments yields three scores: a total score and two section scores. The total score is based on students’ performance on the entire assessment and is the arithmetic sum of the two section scores. Two section scores, one for Reading and Writing and the other for Math, are based on students’ performance on each section.

NOTE: Subscores and cross-test scores will no longer be reported for the digital SAT Suite.

 Digital SAT Suite Total Score and Section Score Scales

Testing Program	Total Score Scale	Section Score Scales
PSAT 8/9	240-1440, in 10-point intervals	120-720, in 10-point intervals
PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10	320-1520, in 10-point intervals	160-760, in 10-point intervals
SAT	400-1600, in 10-point intervals	200-800, in 10-point intervals