Pearson | PTE
Register now for PTE & Unlock 20% OFF : Use promo code: 'C360SPL20'. Valid till 30th NOV'24! Trusted by 3,500+ universities globally
SAT Exam Pattern 2025 - SAT Paper Pattern & Marking Scheme
Edited By Prabhjyot Kaur | Updated on Oct 21, 2024 04:17 PM IST | #SAT
SAT Pattern 2025: The Digital SAT exam is designed into two sections as per the new SAT 2025 pattern which are Reading and Writing (RW) and Math. The Reading and Writing section is completely MCQ-based whereas Math section of the SAT pattern is 75% MCQ questions and 25% of the questions are based on student-produced responses. The overall SAT exam duration is reduced and calculators are allowed for solving Math section of the exam as per the new pattern of SAT 2025. Students must be well aware with the SAT syllabus and pattern to do preparation study efficiently and score good scores. SAT scores plays a crucial role while applying for undergraduate colleges abroad, especially in US.
SAT: Sample Papers | Preparation Tips | Guide
This Story also Contains
The SAT exam pattern contains 98 questions that are mostly MCQ-based. The total SAT score 2025 in the SAT exam is between 400 to 1600 scale. Fortunately, there is no negative marking in the SAT exam paper pattern, so candidates can attempt all the questions without the fear of losing marks. Read this complete article to learn about the new SAT test pattern for the year 2025, its syllabus and scoring, etc.
Latest SAT Update: From 2024 onwards, the SAT is available only in Digital format for international students other than US candidates.
SAT Exam Pattern 2025: Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
No. of sections | 2 |
Exam Duration | 2 hours 14 min |
Number of questions in 2025 SAT Exam | 98 Questions |
SAT 2025 Total Score | 400-1600 |
Mode of examination | Online at Test Centre |
What is The Format of The SAT Exam Pattern?
The new Digital SAT exam pattern has a shorter test duration of 2 hours 14 minutes with a 10-minute break. This SAT paper pattern 2025 utilizes the multistage adaptive testing exam, where the same skills are accurately measured with a shorter test.
On average, for the given 98 questions, the candidate gets 1 minute 30 seconds to attempt one single question. The candidates can move backwards or forward while answering the questions in one particular section. Once the time runs out for 1st section, then automatically the second module gets started.
Digital SAT Exam Pattern Overview 2025
Sections | Duration | Number of Questions/Tasks | Score Scale |
Reading and Writing (RW section) | 64 minutes | 54 (50 operational questions, 4 pre-test questions) | 200-800 (in 10-point intervals) |
Break (10 minutes) | |||
Maths | 70 minutes | 44 (40 operational questions, 4 pre-test questions) | 200-800 (in 10-point intervals) |
Total | 144 minutes | 98 | 400-1600 |
You can download the SAT exam pattern pdf of the College Board to get a better understanding of the overall exam format and structure.
Adaptive Testing Format of SAT Pattern 2025
As the SAT test is adaptive, the difficulty level of questions changes to medium, easy, hard, etc., depending on the performance of the candidate.
How Does Adaptive Testing Work in SAT?
Each section consists of 2 modules.
Module 1: Consists of a mix of easy, hard and difficult questions
Module 2: Consists of a mix of varying difficulty-based questions depending on the candidate's performance in module 1.
Detailed SAT Paper Pattern Section Wise
The outline of the SAT syllabus and question types of the two maths and reading & writing sections are mentioned below. Candidates can check this SAT pattern and find out.
SAT Test Pattern for Maths
The SAT test syllabus for the Maths section includes areas like
Algebra
Advanced Math
Problem-solving and Data Analysis
Geometry and Trigonometry
SAT Question/Sample papers
Candidates can download SAT Question/Sample papers from here.
Free DownloadMaths Section SAT Pattern 2025 Outline
Areas in Maths | Number of Questions |
Algebra | 13–15 |
Geometry and Trigonometry | 5-7 |
Advanced Math | 13–15 |
Problem-solving and Data Analysis | 5-7 |
Question Types in SAT Maths Section: The SAT exam pattern for the maths section consists of question types in the following ratios.
75% MCQ
25% Student-produced response (SPR) questions.
Here the SPR is like fill-in-the-blanks, where the candidate needs to enter the response for the given question. This maths section measures the fluency, and understanding application abilities of maths skills and concepts which are most essential. The sample question types of the Math can be checked in the SAT sample exam papers.
Calculator Usage: The calculator is allowed during the maths section. Candidates can wisely decide which questions require a calculator and which don't, to use the time efficiently.
SAT Paper Pattern 2025 for Reading and Writing Section
The reading and writing section in the SAT exam pattern consists of short reading passages ranging from 25 to 250 words followed by a single MCQ. The RW section is divided into two (2) modules. Each module has 25 operational questions and 2 pre-test questions. The SAT exam syllabus 2025 consists of passages from subject areas like literature, history/social studies, the humanities, and science.
2025 SAT Test Pattern: Reading and Writing Section
Domain Content | Number of Questions | Distribution |
Craft and Structure | 13-15 | 28% |
Information and Ideas | 12-14 | 26% |
Standard English Conventions | 11-15 | 26% |
Expression of Ideas | 8-12 | 20% |
Question Types in SAT Reading and Writing Section: The SAT pattern of the reading and writing section consists of questions in the form of MCQs that fall under four (4) domains, as mentioned below.
Craft and Structure: This section checks the comprehension, vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, and reasoning skills of the test takers. It also accesses the knowledge needed to understand and use high-utility words and phrases in context, evaluate texts rhetorically, and make connections between topically related texts.
Information and Ideas: This section checks the comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills and knowledge and the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, and integrate information from texts and informational graphics such as tables, bar graphs, and more.
Standard English Conventions: This section measures the ability to edit text and understand the core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.
Expression of Ideas: This section checks the ability to revise texts and improve their effectiveness of written expression and to meet specific rhetorical goals.
Digital SAT Exam Syllabus 2025
As the details of the digital SAT paper pattern are already discussed, here is the detailed SAT syllabus information.
SAT 2025 Syllabus for Mathematics
Algebra: The algebra measures include question types like linear equations in 1 or 2 variables, linear functions, linear inequalities in 10 2 variables, etc.
Advanced Math: The Advanced maths syllabus for SAT focuses on the maths concepts that the candidate will pursue in their further study like science, economics, engineering, technology, etc. It includes question types like equivalent expressions, nonlinear functions and variables, and systems of equations in two (2) variables.
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis: Concepts and questions related to these points like ratios, percentages, 1 or 2 variable data, probability, and evaluating statistical claims are asked.
Geometry and Trigonometry: Topics related to is related to Area and volume formulas, Lines, angles, triangles, right triangles, trigonometry, circles, etc.
SAT Reading and Writing Section Syllabus 2025
Domain Content | Skills/Knowledge Testing Points |
Craft and Structure |
|
Standard English Conventions |
|
Information and Ideas |
|
Expression of Ideas |
|
For all the students it is to clarify that there is no separate SAT exam syllabus for engineering or arts or commerce. The SAT exam syllabus is the same for all SAT accepting collges.
How is the 2025 Digital SAT Exam Scored?
The questions in the SAT exam are scored as either right or wrong. There is no negative marking in the test. So students can attempt every question. The total SAT score ranges from 400 to 1600. So, what is the lowest SAT score? the lowest possible SAT score is 400 and the highest is 1600 marks. The SAT scores are a sum of the scores in each section.
Math Section: 200 - 800 point scale
Reading and Writing Section: 200 - 800 point scale.
How To Prepare For SAT 2025?
Once you are totally aware of the SAT exam pattern and syllabus, start the preparation for the SAT. Candidates can take the help of best exam preparation books and practice tests as resources.
Here are some of the SAT preparation tips that guide your SAT preparation.
- Use the College Board SAT preparation material: These resources provide the appropriate SAT exam portion and give subject knowledge and concepts required for preparation.
- SAT Practice Test: Practising a decent number of practice tests helps the candidate to get comfortable with the SAT pattern and format.
- Keep a Target Score: Check the minimum required SAT qualifying scores of the universities and set a target score ahead of it. Now, plan the preparation and ways to achieve the required target score.
SAT Preparation Books 2025
Here is the list of the best SAT preparation materials. These books include all the concepts of the SAT exam pattern and syllabus and provide sample questions for practice. Check them below.
Official Digital SAT Study Guide
Barron SAT Study Guide
Kaplan’s Digital SAT Total Prep 2025
Critical Reading: A Complete Guide to SAT Reading by Erics L. Metzer
SAT Prep Black Book by Mike Barret
SAT Math Orange Book Volume I & II
Know more about SAT:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does SAT have negative markings?
There is no negative marking in the SAT exam pattern. So here students can feel free to answer any question and won't lose points for the guessing. The SAT exam encourages the candidates to guess the answer instead of leaving it blank.
2. What is the SAT score of Mark Zuckerberg?
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook scored 1400 on the SAT exam. The maximum possible marks in SAT is 1400. So he scored full marks i.e, 100%marks in SAT exam.
3. How many times SAT exam is conducted in a year?
The SAT exam is conducted seven times a year. Usually conducted in the months of March, May, June, August, October, November and December.
4. What is the fromat of the SAT test?
The Digital SAT exam pattern consists of 2 sections maths, reading & writing. Most of the questions in the SAT exam are MCQs. The reading and writing section consists of total MCQ-type questions while the maths section consists of both the MCQ and Only the maths section consists of a few student-produced responses (similar to fill in the blanks). The exam is of 2 hours and 14 minutes in duration with a 10-minute break.
5. What is the SAT exam syllabus?
The SAT exam syllabus 2024 consists of 2 sections. The reading and writing section focuses on 4 content domains craft and structure, information and ideas, expression of ideas, and standard English conventions. The math section focuses on 4 content domains algebra, advanced maths, problem-solving & data analysis, geometry, and trigonometry.
6. Is the SAT hard for Indian?
The difficulties come from the unpreparedness of the individual. All the candidates attempting the test are familiar with the concepts and topics of the subjects but the unfamiliarity with the questions patterns, and language difficulty can be overcome by preparing well for the exam.
7. What is the difference between Digital SAT and old SAT?
The older SAT would be either computer or paper-based but the new digital SAT is completely computer-based and section-adaptive. Previously the SAT pattern consisted of 3 sections and an additional writing section. The exam duration is long up to 3 hours. However, the new SAT test pattern consists of only 2 sections and the test is of a shorter duration of up to 2 hours 15 minutes.
8. What are the total marks of the SAT exam?
The total SAT score ranges from 400 to 1600. Each section of the SAT is weighed equally scoring 200 to 800. These sectional scores are summed and averaged to get the final SAT score.
Articles
Nov 08, 2024
Oct 28, 2024
Oct 28, 2024
Oct 25, 2024
Certifications By Top Providers
Environmental Ethics, Justice, and World Views
Via Saylor Academy Java Fundamentals
Via Coding Ninjas My SQL Basics
Via Great Learning Python For Beginners
Via PW Skills Python Basics
Via Accenture Gradle for Android and Java
Via Google Udemy
3320 coursesEdx
1944 coursesCoursera
1650 coursesFuturelearn
1073 coursesMindmajix Technologies
678 coursesVskills
553 coursesExplore Top Universities Across Globe
University of Essex, Colchester
Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQUniversity College London, London
Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BTThe University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, Post Code EH8 9YLUniversity of Bristol, Bristol
Beacon House, Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1QUUniversity of Delaware, Newark
Newark, DE 19716University of Nottingham, Nottingham
University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RDPR in UK for International and Indian Students 2024: After Study
6 min ⋆ Jul 30, 2024 12:07 PM ISTUS vs Canada: Which Is Better For Indian Students in 2024?
16 min ⋆ Jun 03, 2024 04:06 AM ISTPR in Australia After Study for International Students: PR Procedure and How to Apply
7 min ⋆ Sep 12, 2024 11:09 AM ISTHow to Prepare for the GMAT Quant Section
10 min ⋆ Sep 13, 2024 11:09 AM ISTGMAT Quantitative Prep: Expert Tips to Master the Math Section
14 min ⋆ Sep 13, 2024 09:09 AM ISTUSMLE Step 1 Exam 2024: Dates, Syllabus, Fees, Pattern, Registration
12 min ⋆ Sep 11, 2024 04:09 AM ISTPopular Courses and Specializations
Popular Degrees
Popular Branches
Questions related to SAT
Have a question related to SAT ?
Hello aspirant,
Students who have finished their class 11 and 12 standards from Indian boards and have a recognized diploma are eligible to take the SAT exam. But topic is not a barrier, and you can take the SAT without taking math.
So yes you can give this exam.
Thank you
Hope it helps you
Sajal Trivedi 24 September,2024
Two papers make up the Class 8 NMMS (National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship) exam:
The Mental Ability Test (MAT) measures a person's capacity for critical thought, reasoning, and problem-solving. It covers topics such as pattern recognition, numerical series, classifications, analogies, and more.
The Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT, assesses a candidate's general knowledge as well as their proficiency in science, math, and social studies. It centres on the academic material that students have studied.
While every state may have a unique curriculum and format, both exams usually feature multiple-choice questions (M CQs).
Juee 21 September,2024
Hello aspirant,
The SAT is a standardized test used by many colleges and universities in the United States and other countries to assess a student's readiness for college. Here's a general guide on how to apply for the SAT and whether the IPE (Integrated Program in English) is important:
Process to apply in SAT:
a. Create a College Board Account:
Go to the College Board website (collegeboard.org) and create a free account.
b. Register for the SAT: Once you have an account, you can register for the SAT exam. Select your preferred test date, test center location, and fee payment method. The SAT is typically offered on Saturdays throughout the year.
c. Prepare for the SAT: There are many resources available to help you prepare for the SAT, including practice tests, study guides, and online courses. You can also consider taking a SAT prep course.
d. Take the SAT: On the test day, arrive at the test center early, bring your admission ticket, photo ID, and any necessary supplies (e.g., pencils, calculator).
e. Receive Your Scores:
Your SAT scores will be available online a few weeks after the test date. You can use these scores to apply to colleges and universities.
The IPE (Integrated Program in English) is a program offered by some schools in India that focuses on developing English language skills. While the IPE can be helpful in improving your English proficiency, it is not a requirement for taking the SAT.
The SAT is designed to assess your knowledge of English language arts and mathematics, regardless of your background or educational experience. If you have a strong foundation in English, you should be able to do well on the SAT even without participating in the IPE.
I hope this information helps.
Kanishka kaushikii 22 August,2024
To gain admission to Ivy League colleges besides the SAT and ACT, you can consider taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams and SAT Subject Tests, although the latter have been discontinued by the College Board. AP exams demonstrate mastery of college-level coursework and can strengthen your application. Additionally, if you're an international student, taking English proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS is essential. Some Ivy League schools also accept the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma as a rigorous academic qualification. Achieving high scores in these exams, along with maintaining an exceptional academic record, participating in extracurricular activities, and submitting strong essays and recommendation letters, will enhance your chances of admission. Try selecting a foreign admission consultant for your educational career, consider their track record, client reviews, and success stories.
chandresh iyer 05 August,2024
Yes, there have been changes to the BITSAT 2024 exam dates. The second session, initially scheduled from June 22 to 26, has been revised to June 24 to 28, 2024. For personalized guidance and up-to-date information, you might consider consulting Invicta Career Consultancy, which specializes in assisting students with their study abroad plans, While there are other options available, hence you can pay a visit to their website (icclearning.com) and consult with them for better guidance. All the best to you.
Amrita Koner 01 August,2024
Applications for Admissions are open.
GMAT™ Exam
ApplySelect test center appointment | Scores valid for 5 Years | Multiple Attempts | Round 2 Closing Soon
TOEFL ® Registrations 2024
ApplyAccepted by more than 11,000 universities in over 150 countries worldwide
Pearson | PTE
ApplyRegister now for PTE & Unlock 20% OFF : Use promo code: 'C360SPL20'. Valid till 30th NOV'24! Trusted by 3,500+ universities globally
Study in Canada
ApplyExplore Universities, Courses & Subjects | Work while study
Study in UK
ApplyApply for upcoming intake & plan your journey
Study in USA
ApplyUniversities inviting applications | Get expert guidance
News and Notifications
October 18, 2024 - 03:00 PM IST
February 23, 2024 - 06:39 PM IST
February 07, 2023 - 08:53 PM IST
January 25, 2022 - 08:58 PM IST
July 12, 2024 - 03:28 PM IST
July 27, 2023 - 09:37 PM IST
December 12, 2022 - 05:03 PM IST
Stay up-to date with SAT News
Back to top