The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized college admissions test used heavily in the United States. What follows is an overview of the structure, durations of the exam, and some context:
1. Structure of the SAT Exam
The SAT exam has 2 general sections: (1) reading and writing (2) math. Reading and writing combined will take a total of 64 minutes to complete, and the math section will take 70 minutes of exam time total. The full duration of the SAT exam is 2 hours and 14 minutes in total.
For each section, there will be two identical sections called “modules,” and these two sections are an equal distance from each other. You will have a 10-minute break between the reading and writing, and math sections. The original modules will consist of a variety of easy, medium, and hard questions. The first module of the section will consist of some easy, some medium, and some hard questions. Depending on the results of the first module, the second module will consist of either easy or hard questions, depending on your results.
The chart that comes next outlines the section’s duration and number of questions in each section:
| Components | Time Allotted [Minutes] | Number of Questions |
| Reading and Writing | 64 (two 32-minute modules) | 54 |
| Mathematics | 70 (two 35-minute modules) | 44 |
| Total | 134 minutes | 98 |
The majority of the questions are in a multiple-choice format, while a few math questions require you to provide the answer instead of choosing it.
2. Overview Of Digital SAT Sections
The Digital SAT consists of two primary sections:
1. Reading & Writing
2. Mathematics
Here’s a breakdown of each section:
1. Reading and Writing Section
The questions in the Reading and Writing section are grouped into four content areas:
1. Information and Ideas
Assess comprehension, analysis, reasoning abilities, and knowledge; also the ability to find, interpret, evaluate, and combine information and ideas presented in written texts and through a variety of informational graphics (such as tables, bar graphs, and line graphs).
2. Craft and Structure
Monitors students’ understanding, vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, and reasoning skills and knowledge needed to understand and use high-utility words and phrases meaningfully, assess texts rhetorically, and make connections to thematically related texts.
3. Expression of Ideas
Assesses the skill to revise written material to enhance the effectiveness of expression and to achieve specific rhetorical objectives.
4. Standard English Conventions
Evaluates the ability to edit written content for compliance with fundamental conventions of Standard English, including sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.
2. Mathematics
The Math section evaluates a student’s problem-solving and mathematical reasoning skills. The math questions are in 4 different formats, types, or categories. Each test module will have questions from each type. Each module is arranged so that each question is ordered from easiest to hardest. This gives you the best opportunity to show what you know and can do.
1. Algebra
Algebra assesses the ability to evaluate, solve efficiently, and write linear equations and inequalities, as well as to investigate and solve equations and systems of equations efficiently and effectively by multiple means. Algebra includes these types of questions:
- Linear equations with one variable
- Linear equations with two variables
- Linear functions
- Pairs of linear equations with two variables
- Linear inequalities with one or two variables
2. Advanced Math
Advanced Math focuses on the math topics that students need to continue in disciplines such as science or economics and for future employment and career planning in the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and math).
The Advanced Math requirement evaluates the skills and knowledge that students need to succeed in Advanced and College-level math courses; this includes demonstrating an understanding of absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical, and other kinds of nonlinear equations.
Advanced Math encompasses the following question types:
- Equivalent expressions
- Nonlinear equations with one variable
- Systems of equations involving two variables
- Nonlinear functions
3. Problem-Solving and Data Analysis
The skills involved in quantitative reasoning around ratios, rates, proportional relationships, unit rates, and the analysis and interpretation of single and two-variable data are part of Problem-Solving and Data Analysis. This set of skills will emphasize quantitative literacy and the ways of demonstrating knowledge and skills about mathematical concepts that are common across academic coursework, training programs, and experiences one encounters in life.
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis covers the following skill sets and knowledge assessment criteria:
- Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units
- Percentages
- Distributions and measures of center and spread for one-variable data
- Models and scatterplots for two-variable data
- Probability and conditional probability
- Drawing inferences from sample statistics and margin of error
- Assessing statistical claims: observational studies versus experiments
4. Geometry and Trigonometry
Geometry and Trigonometry assess the capability to resolve issues related to these areas:
- Trigonometry in relation to right triangles
- The study of circles
- Formulas for calculating area and volume
- Lines, angles, and the properties of triangles
3. Scoring
Overall Score: The SAT is assessed on a range from 400 to 1600, combining results from the Math section (200–800) and the Reading & Writing section (200–800).
4. Examination Schedule
The SAT is available several times throughout the year, generally in March, May, June, August, September, October, November, and December.
5. Some Important Facts
- Universities use the SAT exam to measure how college-ready students are for postsecondary education.
- The SAT tests students on reading, writing, and mathematics.
- Students may also take the SAT exam a second time or may take it again in order to potentially raise their scores. Many students take it a second or third time to improve their scores. Most colleges will consider only the highest score of any student from all test attempts.
- There is no penalty for a point loss on a wrong answer (a previous version of the SAT originally deducted points from a wrong answer).
6. SAT Section Wise Strategies
To tackle the SAT exam successfully, it’s vital to create strategies tailored to each section. The SAT features two primary segments:
1. Reading & Writing
2. Math
Each segment evaluates different abilities, requiring you to adapt your study approach accordingly.
Here’s a summary of strategies for each segment:
1. Reading & Writing
Recognize the Types of Questions:
- Passage Questions: Typically, these questions will ask you about “meaning” (based on the passage you read), “tone” (the voice of the passage), and/or “organization” (the structure of the passage, such as in a sequence of events and time, or compare and contrast, etc.).
- Contextual Vocabulary: These questions ask you about the meaning of words or phrases given the context (or surrounding text).
- Inference Questions: This view of an inference question will require you to read between the lines, so to speak, to find meaning.
- Standard English: There will be questions that ask you about your knowledge of written English (grammar and usage, within features of Standard English composition, including punctuation, writing sentences, word choice, etc.).
- Rhetorical Skills: Those questions ask you about your knowledge of how to improve a passage, or how to clarify its meaning, etc.
Approach:
- Scan the passage first: Skim the passage to get a sense of the overall point the author is trying to make, but don’t worry about making any memorization at that point.
- Look for keywords in the question: After you read the question, go back to the passage, and find the section with the relevant information to use for your answer.
- Cross out incorrect answers: Cross out the answers that don’t even make sense or are wrong, so that when you are left with just a few choices, your chances are better for a correct guess.
- Time management: Be mindful of your pace when taking a practice test. Don’t take too much time on any one question.
- Know grammar: Make sure you are familiar with the basic rules of grammar, such as subject-verb agreement, parallelism, modifiers, and punctuation.
- Understand the passage: Instead of just simply looking for the “right answer” to a grammar question, think about the overall tone, fluidity, and clarity of the writing.
- Look for redundancy and wordiness: Usually, the best answer choice will be to get rid of unnecessary words.
2. Mathematics
Recognize the Types of Questions:
These questions encompass arithmetic, algebra, and problem-solving and data analysis. In some questions, there are more involved calculations, including geometry, advanced algebra, and data analysis.
- Algebra: You will be solving equations for unknowns, functions with inequalities, and evaluating the relationship between linear equations.
- Arithmetic: Questions will include ratios, percentages, and basic number properties.Word problems: Verbal language to equations/expression panel verification.
Approach:
- Improve mental math skills: You can’t use a calculator, so it is helpful to be quick with basic arithmetic.
- Familiarize yourself with formulas: Make sure you know the important formulas (area, perimeter, slope) so that you do not waste time looking them up.
- Read the question carefully: You can easily misunderstand a question and make mistakes because the wording can be very confusing.
- Do not randomly guess: If you cannot find an answer to a question, try putting in your numbers or eliminating wrong answers.
- Use the calculator efficiently: You don’t have to do ALL calculations with the calculator, so don’t forget you can mentally do some basic calculations or use scrap paper.
- Break down word problems step-by-step: Write your equations step-by-step after figuring out the vague information on your calculator. You can then check your work on the calculator if needed.
- Know your calculator’s functions: Be certain you can graph, solve for “x”, and utilize any calculator functions that are going to save time. Check your answers: Because you can do more calculations in the calculator section, double-check your work to see if your answer is reasonable before continuing..
7. Tips for Effective Preparation
1. Get Acquainted with the Test Format: Getting familiar with the format of each section and timing will help you plan your time effectively on test day.
2. Set Aside Time to Practice: Regular practice with official SAT material will build your comfort with the test and ultimately your score.
3. Review Explanations: After taking a practice exam, review justifications for answers thoroughly to analyze why you got them wrong and to understand why the right answer is right.
4. Create Test-taking Strategies: Develop your test-taking strategies, for example, eliminating choice answers, your pacing so you can answer every question, and learning how to deal with stress.
5. Use Online resources: There are SAT practice questions, apps, and online websites that have SAT practice questions, study guides, and tips. Examples include Utilizing official and The Princeton Review materials is incredibly valuable when preparing for success.
SAT Suite of Assessments
The College Board’s website has the SAT suite, which has the official practice tests, test information, and additional study material. Here is the link:
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat
The Princeton Review’s SAT Practice Tests
The Princeton Review offers downloadable SAT practice tests, including answers with explanations. These materials are designed to help you understand the layout of the test (and the nature of the questions). Here is the link to the material.
https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/sat-practice-tests?
8. What to Do on SAT Exam Day
1. Take plenty of Rest
Before the exam, be sure to get to bed early to ensure an adequate amount of sleep. 7-8 hours is ideal for maintaining your alertness and attention as you take the test.
2. Eat a Balanced and Nutritious Breakfast
Exercise your brain on exam day with a healthy breakfast. Select a breakfast meal that includes protein, whole grains, and fruit (like scrambled eggs whole-grain toast, and a piece of fruit). Steer clear of sugary snacks that may contribute to a crash in your energy levels.
3. Show Up Early
Make sure to arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes early. Arriving early allows you enough time to check in, find your testing room, and get settled, even if you have to wait a bit before your exam.
4. Stay Calm and Confident
Keep in mind that the SAT exam is just one piece of your college application. Stay positive and keep calm while testing. If you reach a question you find particularly difficult, do not dwell on it; go on and come back to it later, if you have the time.
5. Follow the Instructions at the Test Center
Make sure you follow the instructions given by the test proctors. Please stay quiet, do your best to refrain from distractions for others, and keep the other test-takers in mind.
6. Use Your Breaks Wisely
These are the times when you can stretch, grab snacks, and get up to go to the bathroom (if you need to). So use your break to help you “reset” for the next section.
7. Watch Your Time
Keep an eye on the time while you are testing. If you don’t know the answer, just bubble it in and move on for now. If you have time, you can come back to it.
8. Have a Positive Mindset
Finally, consider having a positive mindset going into the test. You have worked hard, you have worked well, and you can do it! Also, keep in mind that it is just a test.
As soon as you can close the test once complete, take a moment to breathe and soak it all in! You did it, and you did the best you could do! In a couple of weeks, your scores will be released, and you will have the option to send those scores to colleges! This is a big step in your educational journey, so celebrate!
This nuts-and-bolts piece of the SAT highlights the key components of the SAT exam and hopefully provides any potential test-taker some helpful insight into what the SAT experience looks like. Whether test-takers choose to take the exam or simply have an exploratory experience, these nuts and bolts can provide test-takers with confidence when preparing for the SAT exam!
How The Princeton Review Singapore Can Help You In Understanding The SAT Examination
The Princeton Review Singapore is a great provider of test preparation for students preparing for the SAT exam, and can be a great asset to students. Here’s how they will support you in understanding the exam format and duration, and provide tips for the SAT:
1. A Strong Understanding of the SAT Exam Format
Princeton Review Singapore offers an extensive course that covers every part of the SAT exam format.
2. Understanding the SAT Exam Duration and Time Management
Time management will be one of the biggest challenges on test day, and Princeton Review Singapore will help students know how to work within their time limits
3. Tips and Strategies for SAT Exam Success
In addition to understanding the exam format and understanding the timing of the exam, Princeton Review Singapore will provide tips and strategies from professional SAT writers to help raise your chances of success.
4. Practice Tests and Instant Feedback
The Princeton Review Singapore has multiple practice SATs to help simulate the real test environment. You will receive thorough feedback on every practice test and performance analysis to highlight your strengths and weaknesses.
Conclusion:
Whether you’re taking the SAT for the first time or you want to improve, The Princeton Review Singapore can be an important resource in your preparation. With their knowledge of the SAT format, they are sure to know some good strategies for time management and the kind of test-taking advice that will promote confidence on the real exam. If you are ready to make a real change in your SAT scores with the help of personal support and organized practice, then The Princeton Review Singapore has the resources and support you need for success.