The SAT  is comprised of two sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math. The Evidence-Based Reading and Writing is comprised of two tests, one focused on Reading and one focused on Writing & Language. The Math section is comprised of a single test with two components - a no-calculator portion and a calculator-allowed portion. The SAT also includes an optional Essay. Some schools may require the Essay, so be sure to ask before you take the SAT.

What's on the SAT:

The SAT contains 4 sections:

  • Reading
  • Writing & Language
  • Math (No Calculator & Calculator Sections)
  • Essay (Optional)

The SAT format includes 154 multiple-choice questions and 1 optional essay.
The chart below provides more insight into what each section of the SAT includes:
Reading
  • 52 multiple–choice questions
  • 65 minutes
  • Passages or pairs of passages (literature, historical documents, social sciences, and natural sciences)
  • Learn more about the  SAT Reading Test
Writing & Language
  • 44 multiple–choice questions
  • 35 minutes
  • Grammar, vocabulary in context, and editing skills
  • Learn more about the  SAT Writing & Language Test
Math
  • 58 multiple–choice questions (broken up into a 20-question No-Calculator section and a 38-question Calculator-allowed section)
  • 80 minutes (25 minutes for the No-Calculator section; 55 minutes for the Calculator-allowed section)
  • Algebra I and II, geometry, and some trigonometry
  • Learn more about the  SAT Math Test
Essay (Optional*)
  • 1 essay
  • 50 minutes
  • Read a passage and explain how the author builds a persuasive argument
  • Learn more about the  SAT Essay

    *We recommend taking the SAT essay because some schools require it.

SEE SAT PREP OPTIONS