SAT Exam Syllabus & Pattern 2024: Section-wise SAT Format

The SAT exam is now available in a shorter and improved version! SAT has been made a 2-hour long test (formerly 3 hours). The new format also comes with major changes in the SAT exam syllabus. Here’s what we know: 
 

The SAT exam syllabus comprises two parts: writing, reading, and Math. These three sections aim to evaluate your unique skills in these areas! 
 

The SAT exam is 2 hours and 14 minutes long and is divided like this: 

Digital SAT Exam Syllabus & Pattern 2024

SAT Exam Syllabus	Duration
Reading and Writing	64-minute section with 54 questions (1 minute 11 seconds per question)
Break (10 minutes)
Math	70-minute section with 44 questions (1 minute 35 seconds per question)

The SAT exam syllabus mainly features MCQs. However, some questions in the Math section may require you to enter the answer rather than select it. 
 

We did mention that the Digital SAT exam is now an adaptive test. Here’s how that works: 

• Both sections of the SAT exam are divided into two modules of equal length. 
• The first module of each section will contain easy, medium and some hard questions. 
• The SAT exam monitors how you do in the first module, and based on that, the questions for the second module are decided. 
• For instance, if you struggle to answer questions in the first round, you will most likely be asked easier questions in the second module. 
• If you aced the first module easily, prepare for some challenging questions in the second module. 
   

The Reading and Writing section of the SAT exam is designed to test the following skills:

Craft and Structure

This measures how well you understand and use important words and phrases, analyse texts, and make connections between related topics. It also assesses your reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills.

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Information and Ideas

This evaluates your ability to understand, analyse, and reason using information from texts and graphics like tables, bar graphs, and line graphs. It assesses how well you can find, explain, judge, and combine information and ideas.

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Standard English Conventions

This evaluates whether you can follow the basic rules of English grammar, usage, and punctuation.

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Expression of Ideas

This assesses how well you can edit and improve written text to make it more impactful.

The Reading and Writing section consists of short passages (25-150 words) followed by one multiple-choice question for each. The featured passages are from literature, history/social studies, humanities and science. 

The questions are arranged in an easy-to-hard order to help you save time and get started.

Math is a big part of university education. The Math section of the SAT exam syllabus is designed to test how well you understand basic math concepts and your ability to apply them in practice and context. 
 

30% of the questions featured in the Math section of the SAT exam syllabus are in-context questions. These questions give you a science, social science, or a real-world scenario to picture and apply the math problem in context.
 

The Math section is split into 4 categories: 

Digital SAT Exam Syllabus & Pattern 2024: Math

Type of Math	Number of Questions
Algebra	13 - 15
Advanced Math	13 - 15
Problem-solving and Data Analysis	5 - 7
Geometry and Trigonometry	5 - 7

Algebra

Algebra focuses on your ability to understand, solve, and create linear equations and inequalities. It also assesses your ability to solve equations and systems of equations using various methods.

Advanced Mathematics

Advanced Math covers the mathematics necessary for continuing studies in areas like science or economics and for careers in STEM fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 
 

It evaluates your grasp of concepts like absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical, and other nonlinear equations, which is essential for progressing to more advanced math courses.
 

Problem-solving and Data Analysis
 

Problem-solving and Data Analysis assesses your skill in applying quantitative reasoning to ratios, rates, and proportional relationships. It also evaluates your understanding and application of unit rates and ability to analyse and interpret one- and two-variable data. 
 

These skills are crucial for proficiency in mathematics in various college courses, career training programs, and everyday situations.

Geometry and Trigonometry

Being one of the fundamental branches of math, Geometry and Trigonometry play a crucial role in fields like Science, Engineering, Architecture, and everyday life.
 

This section will test your understanding of shapes, sizes, and relationships between the sides and angles. You will likely solve problems by measuring distance and finding heights and angles. 
 

Also read: SAT Scores and Results!