New SAT Format 2025 - What You Need to Know

New SAT Format 2025 - What You Need to Know

Piyush KohliUpdated on 11 Feb 2025, 09:38 AM IST

The SAT exam was first introduced in 1926 and has undergone numerous name, test structure, and curriculum changes. The latest SAT exam was developed in 2025 to better align the test with the material that high school students learn in the classroom. From 2025, the SAT exam will be held in digital format only. this means that the SAT is a computer-based examination without any option for the paper-based mode. This will be the new SAT format from 2025.

New SAT Format 2025 - What You Need to Know
Redesign of the SAT exam

For the changes in the SAT exam for 2025, here are the details:

  • SAT exams will be conducted in digital mode only.
  • The digital format will be a computer adaptive bisectional test.
  • In the computer adaptive bisectional test, the questions in the second section will be different for each candidate based on their response in the first section.
  • The reading and writing sections will be combined into one section for the SAT digital exam making the total number os sections in the SAT exam to be 2.
  • The duration of the SAT exam is reduced to 2 hours and 14 minutes.
  • Students will use a laptop or tablet to take the exam.
  • Shorter reading passages covering a wide range of topics will be used.
  • Math problems will be shorter and students will be permitted to utilise calculators in one section of the maths test.
  • Results will be delivered to students sooner. Scorecards will be produced in days rather than weeks.

Know More:

SAT Exam Pattern 2025

The SAT exam pattern consists of two major sections: RW (Reading and Writing) & Math. The optional essay has been discontinued from the new SAT format 2025. The score of these sections is from 200 to 800 points. The scores of SAT are reported in online mode and released in the form of percentile scores that let you compare your scores with the other students.

Major Features: Redesigned SAT

Category

Redesigned SAT features

Total Testing Time

2 hours and 14 minutes

Components

Reading Test

Writing Test

Math

Important Features

Continued emphasis on reasoning alongside a clearer, stronger focus on the knowledge, skills, and understandings most important for college and career readiness and success

Greater emphasis on the meaning of words in extended contexts and on how word choice shapes meaning, tone, and impact

Rights-only scoring (a point for a correct answer but no deduction for an incorrect answer; blank responses have no impact on scores)

Score Reporting

Scale ranging from 400 to 1600

Scale ranging from 200 to 800 for Reading and Writing; 200 to 800 for Math

Subscore Reporting

Subscores for every test, providing added insight for students, parents, admission officers, educators, and counselors

Here is a closer look at the syllabus of the SAT exam

The College Board has planned the SAT exam syllabus in two sections in SAT: Reading & Writing and Math.

Reading and Writing Section Overview

Name of Section

Number of Questions

Time Limit

Reading & Writing

54

64 minutes

Mathematics

44

70 minutes

Total98134

Breakdown of the reading & writing section: applicants will be given 54 MCQ questions to be completed in 64 minutes.

Breakdown of the mathematics section: applicants will be given 33 MCQ questions and 11 SPR-type questions to be completed in 7 minutes.

There will be a 10-minute break given to the applicants in between the two sections.

The Math section of the SAT 2025 syllabus has two subtypes. There is a section in which the candidates will be allowed to use the calculators, while the other section will be a no-calculator portion. The math test focuses on areas like the heart of algebra, problem-solving, and data analysis and passport to advanced math.

List of Scholarships to Study Abroad:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the duration of the SAT format 2025?
A:

The duration of the redesigned SAT exam will be 2 hours and 14 minutes. the option to opt for an optional essay is discontinued.

Q: How many sections are there in the digital SAT exam?
A:

in the new SAT format 2025, there are only 2 sections. These are the Reading & Writing section and Mathematics sections.

Q: What is the score range of the new SAT format?
A:

A good SAT score typically varies depending on the institution and program. However, a score above 1200 out of 1600 is generally considered competitive and can enhance your chances of admission to many colleges and universities. Top-tier institutions often look for scores above 1400. For personalized advice on what constitutes a strong SAT score for your specific academic goals and to receive guidance on improving your application, you can consult Invicta Career Consultancy, which specializes in helping students navigate their study abroad plans and achieve their desired scores, While there are other options available, hence you can pay a visit to their website (icclearning.com) and get consult with them for better guidance. All the best to you.

Q: Will there be SAT in 2025?
A:

The next SAT Test Date is Mar 8, 2025, and the registration Deadline for the same is February 21, 2025, which is extended up to Feb 25, 2025, for Changes, Regular Cancellations, and Late Registration.

Q: Does Harvard require SAT 2025?
A:

Harvard announced in 2024 that the university will reinstitute mandatory submission of SAT scores for applicants, beginning with students applying for fall 2025 admission.

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Questions related to SAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to SAT ?

Hello

Practising regular NMMS MAT and SAT previous years’ papers will help you prepare well. You can also get papers by visiting the official SCERT Website. Then you can search for the link, and after that you can download the papers.

You can click on the link I am attaching below to get access to the papers by just logging in or signing in with your account, and you can download the papers.

CLICK HERE

Hello,

You can get the Maharastra NMMS Question Paper 2018 from the careers360 website. Practising these paers will helps you to understand the exam pattern, to identify the important topics, to improve time management, and overall it enhances your exam preparation.

LINK: https://school.careers360.com/download/sample-papers/nmms-maharashtra-question-paper-2018

Hope it helps!

Hello,
It is not possible to receive automatic notifications for the forms of JEE Mains SAT and MHT CET. You will need to check the official portals of these exams regularly when the year 2027 approaches. The exam authorities release their application forms through official announcements, and you can stay updated by checking their notices or by following reliable educational sources. You can also set reminders to check updates during the usual application periods so you do not miss any important dates
Hope this helps you.

Hello,

You cannot get automatic notifications unless you personally track the exam websites. However, the best way to stay updated for JEE Mains, SAT, and MHT-CET application form dates is to regularly check their official websites and follow reliable education portals. These exams usually announce forms a few months before the exam.

You can also enable notifications on exam alerts apps or official portals so that you will be informed as soon as the forms are released.

Hope this helps you.

Your overall score is good, and SC category cutoffs in Haryana are usually lower than General. NMMS selection depends on meeting the qualifying marks in MAT and SAT plus the state cutoff. Exact cutoffs for 2025-26 are not released yet, but based on previous trends, your chances of qualifying are reasonably good.