What is SAT?

The SAT is a standardized test used primarily for college admissions. It measures whether high school students are ready for higher education by testing key skills in Reading & Writing and Mathematics.

Accepted by over 4000 colleges and universities in the USA and 65+ countries, including the Ivy League and other top global institutions, the SAT plays a critical role in undergraduate admissions decisions.

Digital SAT Structure

Component Time Allotted Number of Questions
Reading & Writing 64 minutes (two modules × 32 minutes) 54 questions (27 questions per module)
Math 70 minutes (two modules × 35 minutes) 44 questions (22 questions per module)
  • There is an optional 10-minute break between the Reading & Writing section and the Math section.
  • Total testing time is 2 hours 24 minutes.
  • The test is adaptive in modules. The second module of each section adjusts in difficulty based on performance in the first module.

Content Covered in SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (ER&W) Section

The Reading and Writing section of the SAT assesses your ability to read, interpret, and edit texts. It tests comprehension, reasoning, rhetorical skills, and command of standard written English. The section is divided into two modules, and each module contains questions from multiple domains.

Content Covers

Questions in this section are organised into four content domains, each appearing across both modules. They are:

  • Information and Ideas: Measures comprehension, analysis, reasoning; ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, and integrate information from texts and informational graphics (tables, bar, and line graphs).
  • Craft and Structure: Focuses on comprehension, vocabulary in context, rhetorical evaluation of texts, making connections among texts, and understanding how structure contributes to meaning.
  • Expression of Ideas: Concerns revising texts for clarity, coherence, and effectiveness; improving the way ideas are expressed to meet given rhetorical goals.
  • Standard English Conventions: Tests correctness in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, usage—i.e., editing to conform to the norms of written English.

Passages and Types

  • Passages range in length typically from 25 to 150 words.
  • They are drawn from subject areas such as literature, history/social studies, humanities, and science.
  • Occasionally, pairs of passages are given when texts are topically related, and some questions may ask to connect ideas between those paired passages.

Question Types & Format

  • All questions in this section are multiple-choice.
  • Questions are grouped by topic, and those grouped questions are arranged in each module from easiest to hardest, to help students manage their time effectively.

Content Covered in SAT Mathematics Section

The Math section of the SAT is designed to assess the math skills most relevant to success in college and in real-world contexts. It is divided into two modules and includes a mixture of multiple-choice and student-produced response (i.e., “grid-in”) questions.

Content Testing Points No. of Questions
Algebra
  • Linear equations in 1 variable
  • Linear equations in 2 variables
  • Linear functions
  • Systems of 2 linear equations in 2 variables
  • Linear inequalities in 1 or 2 variables
13-15
Advanced Math
  • Equivalent expressions
  • Nonlinear equations in 1 variable
  • Systems of equations in 2 variables
  • Nonlinear functions
13-15
Problem Solving and Data Analysis
  • Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units
  • Percentages
  • One-variable data: distributions and measures of center and spread
  • 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
5-7
Geometry and Trigonometry
  • Area and volume formulas
  • Lines, angles, and triangles
  • Right triangles and Trigonometry
  • Circles
5-7

Question Types & Format

  • Multiple-choice questions: You choose one correct answer from the given options.
  • Student-produced responses (“grid-in”): You calculate the answer and enter it yourself (rather than choosing from options).

Context and Application

About 30% of the Math questions are “in context” or “word problems.” These items set up a scenario (from science, social studies, or real-life situations) and require you to apply mathematical reasoning in that context.

Order & Difficulty

  • Questions in each test module are arranged roughly from easiest to hardest.
  • This provides an opportunity early in each module to build confidence and demonstrate your basic skills, and later questions tend to require more complex reasoning.

Why Does the SAT Score Matter for Students’ College Applications?

  • The SAT helps students stand out in competitive admissions, especially for universities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia.
  • It provides a standardized benchmark across diverse school curricula (IB, IGCSE, ICSE, A-Levels, etc.).
  • A strong SAT score can strengthen scholarship applications and boost admissions chances at top universities.
  • SAT Scores are also important for students who are planning for college transfer, depending on the program's competitiveness and academic performance.

SAT Scores

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Upcoming SAT test dates

Subject SAT Test Date Registration Deadline Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation,
and Late Registration**
SAT Test 2025 Nov 08, 2025 Oct 24, 2025 Oct 28, 2025
SAT Test 2025 Dec 06, 2025 Nov 21, 2025 Nov 25, 2025
SAT Test 2026 Mar 14, 2026 Feb 27, 2026 Mar 03, 2026
SAT Test 2026 May 02, 2026 Apr 17, 2026 Apr 21, 2026
SAT Test 2026 Jun 06, 2026 May 22, 2026 May 26, 2026

Frequently asked Questions

How do I register for the SAT?

Register online at collegeboard.org. Choose your test date, center, upload a photo, and pay the fee.

How is the SAT different from the ACT?

Both are U.S. college admissions tests. SAT is shorter and adaptive (Digital SAT), while ACT has a science section. Tutela helps you decide which is better for your child.

How many times can my child take the SAT?

There’s no limit; however, taking more than 4 attempts is not recommended. Most learners take it twice for the best score, and Tutela’s program covers 2 attempts.

What is a good SAT score for top universities?

The global average is 1024. Competitive universities look for scores of 1450 or higher, while Ivy League admissions often require scores of 1500 or higher.

What do SAT scores mean for scholarships?

High SAT scores can unlock merit scholarships at many U.S. and international universities, reducing tuition costs.

How do I send SAT scores to universities?

You can send 4 free score reports if you choose universities during registration. Afterward, additional reports cost extra via the College Board. Tutela helps you select the right colleges.

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