SAT Pattern 2025: Check Section-wise SAT Format and Structure

Irrespective of the version of SAT exam, the difficulty level is more or less the same. So Digital SAT is not harder or less challenging than the previous SAT exam format. The new SAT online exam has definitely seen positive changes becasue of which it is being considered easier than previous SAT version. Some of the reasons are:

• Timing has reduced for SAT Digital by 46 minutes.
• There are no different Reading and Writing tests, it is a combined section.
• Use of calculators is permitted for all Maths questions.
• Since SAT has gone digital, SAT online exam is now comouter adaptive, which was impossible previously on pen-paper format.

Thus, these are some of the key takeaways which make SAT Digital slightly easier than previous version of the SAT exam. 

The overall number of questions on SAT are 98 questions. The questions are divided section wise and they are as follows:

• SAT Section 1 - Reading & Writing has 54 questions
  • Module 1 has 27 questions and Module 2 also has 27 questions
• SAT Section 2 - Mathematics has 44 questions
  • Module 1 has 22 questions and Module 2 also has 22 questions

All these questions are timed and each module has a set time limit, section 1 is for 64 minutes and section 2 is for 70 minutes. 

Applicants have to answer the questions in the order of the SAT exam sections - Reading & Writing followed by Math sections. Applicants will get a mix of easy, medium and difficult questions on each section. The questions on each section will progress based on difficulty of the exam. This is because SAT is a computer adaptive test and questions will come up based on this formula. 

The level of ease of the new SAT pattern solely depends on the applicant's preparation for the exam. The new SAT exam pattern has its pros like its shorter in duration, its now digital, the time for answering questions on SAT is 68% higher than on ACT, the reading and writing section is now one section and calculators can be used for all math questions on SAT. The ease is definitely for giving the exam but the syllabus and prep tips remain constant.

The changes in SAT pattern come officially from College Board, which administers the exam officially across the globe at its partner centres. SAT exam pattern changes are usually not very frequent, hence if there is any change that comes up, there will be an official notification for the same. For now the proposed SAT pattern is final and there is no intimation for any changes. 

No, on the digital SAT, everyone gets a different question. Based on answers to questions, the difficulty or ease of the upcoming questions is adjusted. Thus, the question tested for one test taker will be different for the other test taker. Similar or patterned questions may be asked but not the same content questions.  

Everyone got the same questions on SAT exam when the exam was a pencil-paper based test. 

An applicant's total score is between 400 and 1600. The total SAT score is the sum of the two section scores: Reading & Writing, and Maths. Both of these sections can accommodate a possible score range of 200 – 800. The Reading & Writing score is composed of the Reading Test plus the Language Test, and each which collectively contributes to a sectional SAT score. The SAT Math section score is made up of the Math questions' answers only. Thus, no SAT section score can go beyond 800 because the questions are marked in a pre-defined manner. Thus, applicants can score overall on 1600 scale.  

In SAT Digital exam, the test-takers get points for every correct answer whereas there are no points taken for incorrect answers. So, you should attempt maximum questions in SAT. Since there is no negative marking for incorrect answers or for leaving questions unanswered in their final SAT score report, the students should take benefit of the situation and answer all questions. The time of SAT has reduced hence, caution must be exercised while answering the SAT exam questions.

SAT exam's scoring pattern is slightly new and each section on SAT is scored equally that is, between 200-800. Where 400 is the minimum score on SAT and the highest is 1600. SAT sections are scored separately but the score report will have an overall analysis along with the sectional-score analysis for applicants and colleges to assess SAT exam performance. 

Yes, SAT exam pattern differs from ACT exam pattern in a big way. Check out below how SAT pattern differs from ACT pattern:

• ACT consistes of four sections, while SAT consists of only two sections.
• There is no optional essay section in SAT exam, it has been discontinued. Students can still opt for the optional writing section on ACT.
• SAT is scored on a range of 400-1600 while ACT is scored on 1-36 score range.
• ACT has a separate Science section, whereas SAT doesn't test Science subject separately but in its reading section. 

No, subject tests are no longer functional hence, there are no subject-related tests on SAT anymore. But yes, there are subject specific sections like English and Mathematics which are tested on the SAT exam. The SAT exam pattern doesn't directly have Science subject topics, but its tested in the reading and writing section of the SAT.