The SAT® is a standardized test created and administered by the College Board®. It is one of several benchmarks that 4-year universities use to assess your potential for admissions or merit-based financial awards. While some colleges have adopted test-optional admissions policies, most institutions still consider SAT scores a valuable measure of academic preparedness.
All high school students are eligible to take the SAT. The College Board does not set an age limit, education requirements, or the number of test attempts, though there may be other SAT eligibility requirements.
When Is the SAT Held?
The SAT is administered nationally 7 times a year on Saturdays in March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. If you are taking the SAT outside of the U.S., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, you might have to take it on different dates. Refer to the complete list of SAT dates and schedule for 2025-26.
When Do You Take the SAT?
Most students take the SAT for the first time in the spring of their junior year. To better prepare, consider taking the PSAT in earlier grades. You can also take the SAT after high school, with no limit on the number of retakes. Many students retake the SAT to improve their scores or create a higher "superscore."
Format of the SAT
Students take the SAT online through the BluebookTM testing app. It consists of 2 sections: Reading and Writing (RW) and Math. The following table summarizes the number of questions and the time allotted for each section on the SAT:
| SAT | ||
|---|---|---|
| Component Test | No. of Questions | Time per Test |
| Reading & Writing (RW) | 54 | 1 hour 4 minutes |
| Math | 44 | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Total | 98 | 2 hours 14 minutes |
The SAT tests you on various skill sets to decide your overall college readiness. Here’s an outline of the topics you’ll be tested on:
1. Reading and Writing (RW)
The RW section will be split into 2 separately timed modules, each consisting of 27 questions to be completed in 32 minutes. This section will test you on:
- Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Rhetorical synthesis
- Text structure and purpose
- Recognizing implicit meanings in the texts
2. Math
The Math section will be split into 2 separately timed modules, each consisting of 22 questions to be completed in 35 minutes. You’ll be allowed to use calculators for both modules. This section will test you on:
- Algebra
- Advanced math
- Problem-solving and data analysis
- Geometry and trigonometry
How Does SAT Scoring Work?
Each section will be scored on a scale of 800, making the total SAT score 1600. In short,
The table below shows the score distribution for the SAT:
| Scoring Section | No. of Questions | Total Raw Score | Scaled Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading & Writing | 54 | 54 | 800 |
| Math | 44 | 44 | 800 |
| Total Scaled Score | 1600 | ||
Learn more about the SAT test format and review our guide to the SAT syllabus.
Why the SAT Matters
While some colleges have adopted a test-optional policy, the SAT can give you a competitive edge. Here's why:
- Helps you stand out in competitive admissions. For highly selective colleges, a strong SAT score can demonstrate your academic excellence and set you apart from other applicants.
- Boosts your chances of receiving college funding. Many merit-based scholarships require or consider SAT scores. A higher score could mean more financial aid opportunities.
- Offers a standardized measure of college readiness. As a standardized international test, the SAT gives colleges a consistent way to assess students, especially helpful when they are unfamiliar with your school or grading system. In a time of widespread grade inflation, it remains one of the best college success predictors, from higher GPAs to on-time graduation.
- Determines your college course placement. Some colleges use SAT scores to determine class placement in math and English, or waive remedial courses.
- Makes up for a low GPA. If your transcript isn’t as strong as you'd like, a good SAT score can help show your potential and academic ability.
- Offers more time per question than other tests. The Digital SAT gives you more time per question compared to the ACT®—and that’s still true even with the ACT’s updated shorter format. The SAT would be ideal if you plan to take a standardized, timed test that doesn’t make you race against time.
- Helps colleges find you. When you register for the SAT and opt into the Student Search Service, your information is shared with colleges, allowing them to reach out to you based on your scores, grades, and academic interests.
Explore our comprehensive SAT study guide for tips on how to prepare effectively and what to focus on.
Is the SAT Hard?
The SAT's difficulty level depends on your strengths, preparation, and mindset. The test evaluates your reading, writing, math, and analytical skills to assess your college readiness.
Here are some common challenges students face:
- Lack of Study Schedule: Balancing SAT prep with schoolwork can be tough. Without a clear plan, it’s easy to fall behind. A dedicated, structured study schedule is essential.
- Time Constraints: Even though the SAT allows more time per question than the ACT, it’s still a timed exam. Strong time management skills are crucial to completing each section effectively.
- Challenging Reading and Writing Section: Many students find this section more difficult than Math. It requires analyzing multiple short passages from various genres and answering questions quickly and accurately.
The SAT is one of the most crucial tests impacting your college journey. Plan, focus, and work hard toward your target score. If you are looking for a premium practice test that offers you detailed answer explanations and SAT-like questions, check out our SAT Prep Course. Our SAT Question Bank also let you know how you did compared to other students preparing for the exam.
References
- The Digital SAT® Suite of Assessments Specifications Overview. (n.d.). satsuite.collegeboard.org. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/digital-sat-test-spec-overview.pdf
- When Should You Take the SAT? (December 18, 2023). collegeboard.org. Retrieved April 14, 2025 from https://blog.collegeboard.org/when-should-you-take-the-sat
- What’s the Difference between the SAT and the PSAT-Related Assessments? (March 13, 2024). collegeboard.org. Retrieved April 14, 2025 from https://blog.collegeboard.org/difference-between-sat-and-psat
- What is Test Optional?. (n.d.). collegeboard.org. Retrieved April 14, 2025 from https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/applying-to-college/tests/8-things-to-know-about-how-colleges-use-admission-tests
- What's on the SAT. (n.d.). collegeboard.org. Retrieved April 14, 2025 from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/whats-on-the-test
- Understanding SAT Scores . (n.d.). collegeboard.org. Retrieved April 14, 2025 from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/scores/understanding-scores
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