The SAT® comprises 2 sections:
- Reading and Writing (RW)
- Math
The first section you'll encounter is the Reading and Writing section, which has 2 modules. Similarly, the Math section also has 2 modules, and you can use an approved or built-in calculator throughout both modules.
If you are taking the test on SAT School Day, you may be required to take the optional SAT essay test in addition to the main SAT. Check with your school to learn more.
SAT Reading & Writing Section Syllabus
The Reading and Writing section assesses your college readiness in literacy, including comprehension, vocabulary, and your ability to interpret implicit meanings in the text. It is organized into 4 key domains:
- Craft and Structure: Measures your ability to comprehend, analyze, and reason through texts and understand the use of high-utility vocabulary and rhetorical strategies.
- Information and Ideas: Assesses your ability to interpret and evaluate information from texts, tables, bar graphs, and line graphs.
- Standard English Conventions: Tests your understanding of sentence structure, usage, and punctuation according to Standard English rules.
- Expression of Ideas: Evaluates how effectively you can revise texts to improve clarity and meet rhetorical goals.
What Is on the SAT Reading & Writing Section?
The SAT Reading and Writing section includes 54 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), each associated with a brief text, sentence, or graphic. Most questions are based on short, independent passages with 1 question each. Unlike the old format with long texts and multiple questions, each passage here may feature grammatical issues such as poor punctuation, incorrect word choice, or weak organization.
You'll need to:
- Fix grammar and structure
- Strengthen arguments
- Add relevant content
No prior subject knowledge is required, but careful reading is essential. You must understand word usage in context and be familiar with basic English grammar.
Skills required to perform well on the SAT RW section:
- Identify main ideas and supporting details
- Cite textual evidence
- Interpret and evaluate information
- Make inferences and determine purpose
- Define vocabulary through context
- Analyze data from graphics
Top SAT Reading and Writing Concepts to Prepare For
There are 7 important concepts to focus on:
- Nouns
- Pronouns
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Verbs
- Comparisons
- Modifiers
- Parallel Structure
Check out our SAT study guide to learn more about grammar and parts of speech that may be tested in the Reading and Writing section.
Each module also contains 2 unmarked pretest questions used to collect data — these aren't warm-ups, so treat every question with equal importance.
SAT Math Section Syllabus
The Math section includes MCQs and student-produced response (SPR) questions. It evaluates your understanding and application of key math concepts, including algebra, advanced math, problem-solving & data analysis, and geometry & trigonometry.
What Is on the SAT Math Section?
You will be asked to create, use, interpret, or solve algebraic or mathematical equations and problems for every topic. Before diving into each domain, consider taking a SAT self-assessment practice test to identify which math areas need the most attention. Let's have a look at the SAT Math Test topics below:
- Algebra: Analyze, solve, and create linear equations and systems.
- Advanced Math: Handle quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, and nonlinear equations.
- Problem-Solving and Data Analysis: Apply quantitative reasoning with ratios, rates, proportions, and interpret one- and two-variable data.
- Geometry and Trigonometry: Solve problems on volume, area, angles, triangles, circles, and basic trigonometric relationships
These topics are assessed across 33 MCQs and 11 SPR questions. Like the RW section, each module has 2 unmarked pretest questions that could appear anywhere — treat each question seriously.
Top SAT Math Concepts to Prepare For
Important math concepts include:
- Linear equations and systems (Algebra)
- Word problems, nonlinear equations, exponential expressions (Advanced Math)
- Charts, graphs, data interpretation (Problem-Solving and Data Analysis)
- Geometry, trigonometry, and complex numbers
Key skills you'll need:
- Apply formulas strategically and flexibly
- Break down and reorganize problems
- Understand and work through mathematical operations and relationships
- Analyze real-world problems and solve them efficiently
We recommend practicing with a SAT practice test to ensure you're familiar with test questions and formats.
SAT School Day: SAT Essay
If you're taking the SAT as part of the SAT School Day program, you may be required or given the option to complete an additional section — the SAT Essay. Delivered digitally via the Bluebook App, this essay is scored separately from your main SAT test.
You'll have 50 minutes to read a passage, identify the author's argument, and explain how it's constructed using supporting evidence. You'll be evaluated on comprehension, structure, and analysis.
While the SAT Essay isn't required at most schools, it could strengthen your college application, especially if you're applying to writing-intensive programs. Always check the admission policies of your target schools before opting out.
How to Use the SAT Syllabus
Now that you know the topics, concepts, and what to expect on each test section, you can create an effective and targeted study schedule. Want help with creating a dedicated study schedule for your SAT? Check out our article on How To Prepare for the SAT.
Knowing just the syllabus is not enough! Taking practice tests and having a dedicated study schedule are your keys to SAT success. UWorld's SAT Prep Course has thousands of practice problems to help you prepare confidently for the high-stakes exam. Use our performance tracking tools to see which topics and question types need the most work and prepare smarter!
References
- The Digital SAT® Suite of Assessments Specifications Overview. (2022). satsuite.collegeboard.org. Retrieved April 10, 2025 from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/digital-sat-test-spec-overview.pdf
- What's on the SAT. (n.d.). collegeboard.org. Retrieved April 10, 2025 from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/whats-on-the-test
- Assessment Framework for the Digital SAT Suite. (n.d.). collegeboard.org. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/assessment-framework-for-digital-sat-suite.pdf
- Spring 2024 SAT School Day Student Guide. (Fall, 2024). collegeboard.org. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/sat-school-day-student-guide.pdf
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