The structure of the SAT has changed quite a bit, so let's take a closer look!
How Is The SAT Structured?
The SAT is composed of two main sections: English and Math.
The SAT is comprised of four individual tests: the first two determine your English section score and the final two determine your Math section score. Both English sections are given first, and the math are given second.
Each section (English and Math) is scored on a scale of 200 to 800.
These two section scores are added together to get your total SAT score, which will be in the range of 400 to 1600.
A Closer Look at What is on the SAT: English
Part 1: The Adaptive Decider
The first English part has 27 questions in 32 minutes, with a new passage for each question.
The Reading Analysis questions come first - including vocabulary, analysis, and structure - and the Proofreading questions come second - including Grammar and some Rhetorical Skills questions - always in that exact order. The questions get progressively harder within each question type, and the harder questions do the most to determine which version of the the English Part 2 you will get.
It will consist of passages from varied sources and subjects. You will encounter literature, history, social studies, natural science, and poetry though you’re not expected to have specific knowledge of all those topics at your fingertips. All information will be provided in the passages.
Some selections will stand alone for you to answer questions about, some passages will be paired for you to compare or contrast, some questions will ask you to interpret graphs or determine vocabulary based on context.
Part 2: The Split Test
Part 2 follows the same exact format and pacing as the first part. However, depending on your performance in Part 1, you will either receive a significantly easier or harder version of the exam in Part 2.
For the harder version, your questions will be split between medium and advanced difficulty questions, and you will have the potential to score up to an 800 for your English score.
If you get the easier version, your questions will be split between easy and medium difficulty, and there will be a cap on your score around the 500 or 600 mark.
A Closer Look: SAT Math Section
Part 1: The Adaptive Decider
The Math sections of the SAT each contain 22 questions to be answered over 35 minutes (That's more than 1.5 minutes per question!), with 75% being multiple choice and 25% being fill-ins.
In this first section, the questions get progressively harder, with the first third being easy, the middle third being medium, and the final third being difficult. The more difficult the questions, the more weight they are given in determining which version you receive in Part 2 of the Math.
For both of the two Math sections, the SAT is examining your skills in algebra, geometry, a bit of trigonometry, and your overall ability to interact with mathematical systems. However, about 70% of the questions are algebra, with the harder ones being around Algebra 2 level.
You will have the assistance of the Desmos graphing calculator and a geometry formulas cheat-sheet available to you throughout the entire test.
Part 2: The Split Section
In this final Math section, the timing and number of questions are the same, but the difficulty changes.
If you receive the easier version, the first 50% are easy and the second 50% are medium level difficulty, with a potential score cap around the 600 mark.
If you receive the harder version, the first 50% or so are medium and the second 50% are harder level difficulty, with the potential to receive a perfect 800.
So far students have reported that there is a noticeable difference in difficulty between the first and second math sections, even for students who are very strong in math, so do not underestimate how hard Part 2 will be!
The Evolution of the SAT
When the SAT was first created, it was named the SAT to stand for “Scholastic Aptitude Test,” then later it was changed to the “Scholastic Achievement Test.”
Originally it was adapted from a military IQ test and used as a means to measure the intellectual skills of college applicants, but it has been adjusted over time. In fact, it's undergone two major redesigns in recent memory - one in 2005 and one in 2016.
Now, College Board still calls it the SAT but those letters no longer stand for anything specific.
The reason this matters to you is that in the years since the SAT's 1926 debut, the College Board has searched for ways to make the test more fair and more standardized, looking as much at how you learn as what you’ve learned.
They want to see how prepared you are to keep learning in college and the real-world beyond it. As such, the entire SAT is designed to be evidence-based, rather than expecting expertise in any one subject.
If you're curious, you can click here to read more about what College Board, the creator of the SAT, has to say about its current state.
What To Do With This Knowledge
Knowing what's on the SAT can help you stay grounded on test day. But, in order to do your best work, you'll also need to understand why the SAT is important.
The SAT is important because it helps you verify your GPA and showcase your current level of knowledge to a prospective college.
Keep in mind that, while your SAT scores are important, they are not the whole story of you. They are one data point. You bring so much more to a prospective college than your test scores.
But your SAT score gives you data to back your case for admission. Therefore, you'll want your SAT score to be as strong as possible.
You might be curious about what colleges are specifically looking for in an SAT score. Obviously you want to aim your arrow to shoot toward the highest possible mark, but even Robin Hood didn’t shoot the bulls-eye every time.
So we may need to adjust our expectations: we can hope for 1600, but what other scores are (literally) acceptable?
As you’re building your college admissions target scores, this article will help you identify evidence-based SAT score goals that tip the odds of admissions in your favor.
You may also want to download this free eBook - The Insider’s Guide to the ACT & SAT - to make sure you’re getting geared up with the best testing tips for success.
Or you may be thinking “enough talk — I want to get right to it!” In which case you can jump straight into a free full-length practice SAT here.