The SAT® follows an adaptive modular format with 2 sections: Reading & Writing and Math. The total duration of the test is 2 hours and 14 minutes.
What Types of Questions Are on the SAT?
The SAT Reading and Writing section includes 54 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) paired with a short reading passage. The Math section includes multiple-choice and student-produced response (SPR) questions. You can use the built-in or approved calculator throughout the entire SAT Math section.
How many questions are on the SAT?
The SAT includes 98 questions in total:
- Reading and Writing: 54 questions
- Math: 44 questions
Below is a breakdown by module:
| Reading and Writing (RW) | Math | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Questions | Time | Number of Questions | Time | |
| Module 1 | 27 | 32 mins. | 22 | 35 mins. |
| Module 2 | 27 | 32 mins. | 22 | 35 mins. |
| Total | 54 | 1 hour and 4 mins. | 44 | 1 hour and 10 mins. |
Each section of the SAT will have easy, medium, and hard questions. Based on your performance in the first module, the test app will adjust the difficulty of the second module.
With the structure in place, let's explore each section in detail.
SAT Reading and Writing Section
Reading and Writing is the first section you'll encounter on the SAT. Each module in this section consists of 27 questions — 25 operational and 2 pretest questions, which will not count toward the final score. Treat all questions equally. You'll have 32 minutes to complete this section.
Each multiple-choice question will accompany a passage that is no more than 150 words long. These passages will draw from various styles and sources, including short poems, graphs, charts, tables, and bulleted lists.
The Reading and Writing section will assess your college readiness in English language literacy and content knowledge based on 4 key domains:
- Craft and Structure (13-15 questions): This domain will assess a range of skills, including your understanding of high-utility words, the ability to evaluate texts rhetorically, and the ability to connect texts topically. It will measure your comprehension, vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, and reasoning proficiency.
- Information and Ideas (12-14 questions): This domain will evaluate your comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills, as well as your ability to locate, interpret, analyze, and integrate information from texts and graphics.
- Standard English Conventions (11-15 questions): This domain will assess your editing skills in a way that aligns texts with the core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.
- Expression of Ideas (8-12 questions): This domain measures your ability to improve written expressions to achieve specific rhetorical goals. It assesses how effectively you can enhance a text's impact through thoughtful improvements and refinements.
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SAT Math Section
The Math section is designed to measure your college readiness in mathematical skills. It focuses on key elements of algebra, advanced math, problem-solving & data analysis, and geometry & trigonometry. The total time allotted for this section is 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Per the College Board®, around 75% of the questions in this section will be MCQs, while 25% will consist of SPRs. The following table shows the distribution of MCQs and SPRs in the Math section of the SAT:
| SAT Math Section | ||
|---|---|---|
| Module 1 | Module 2 | |
| No. of Questions | 22 | 22 |
| Time | 35 mins | 35 mins |
| Calculator Usage | Yes | |
- Algebra (13-15 questions): This domain evaluates your proficiency in solving linear equations in 1 and 2 variables, linear functions, systems of 2 linear equations in 2 variables, and linear inequalities in 1 or 2 variables.
- Advanced Math (13-15 questions): This domain assesses your ability to solve equivalent expressions, nonlinear equations in 1 variable, systems of equations in 2 variables, and nonlinear functions.
- Problem-Solving and Data Analysis (5-7 questions): This domain assesses your knowledge of ratios, rates, and proportional relationships, as well as your ability to work with units and percentages. You will also be tested on one-variable data, focusing on distributions and measures of center and spread, and two-variable data, including models and scatterplots. Additionally, the domain covers probability and conditional probability, along with inference from sample statistics, margin of error, and the evaluation of statistical claims in observational studies and experiments.
- Geometry and Trigonometry (5-7 questions): This domain evaluates your proficiency in area, volume, lines, angles, and triangles. It also assesses your knowledge of right triangles, trigonometry, and circles.
Out of these 4 topics, algebra has the highest number of questions on the test and is considered the most important. Each module will include 2 pretest questions, which will not be labeled separately. Treat each question equally.
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How Is Each Section Scored on the SAT?
The SAT exam is scored on a scale of 400-1600. This includes the sum of section scores for Reading & Writing and Math. You can learn more about how the SAT is scored in our SAT scoring guide.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the SAT all multiple-choice?
Most of the SAT questions are multiple-choice. However, the Math section contains some SPR (student-provided response) questions that require students to type in their answers.
Is the essay section required for the SAT?
The essay section has been scrapped for the SAT for almost all test-takers. However, a few schools that participate in the SAT School Day program require the essay section. Check with your guidance counselor about whether it is mandatory at your school.
Is there a penalty for incorrect answers?
There is no penalty for a wrong answer on the SAT test. Final scores are calculated based only on correct answers.
References
- What's on the SAT. (n.d.). collegeboard.org. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/whats-on-the-test
- How Long Does the SAT Take? (February 8, 2024). collegeboard.org. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from https://blog.collegeboard.org/how-long-does-the-sat-take
- Scoring Your Paper SAT Practice Test #1. (2023). collegeboard.org. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/scoring-sat-practice-test-1-digital.pdf
- The Digital SAT® Suite of Assessments Specifications Overview. (2022). collegeboard.org. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/digital-sat-test-spec-overview.pdf
- Digital SAT Sample Questions and Explanations. (n.d.). collegeboard.org. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/digital-sat-sample-questions.pdf
Read More About the SAT
This guide provides all the essential information about the SAT, including the test's significance, eligibility, and effective strategies for achieving a higher score.
SAT Scoring GuideThis comprehensive guide offers a complete breakdown of SAT scoring. Keep reading to learn all about score ranges, section scores, and detailed test score reports.
SAT SyllabusExplore the full SAT syllabus, question types, and topic-wise weightage to help you prep, plan effectively, stay confident, and boost your chances of a high score.
How to Study for the SATReady to study for the SAT? Prepare the right way with this comprehensive resource designed to help you plan your prep, study effectively, and reach your dream score.
