How the SAT is built
| Section | Questions & timing | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 · Reading and Writing | 54 questions · 64 min (2 × 32) · 200–800 | Short passages of 25–150 words, each with one question. Texts come from literature, history, social studies, the humanities and science, and some include a table or graph. Every question is multiple choice with four options. |
| Break | 10 minutes | Between the sections. You can’t go back to Reading and Writing once Math starts. |
| 2 · Math | 44 questions · 70 min (2 × 35) · 200–800 | About 75% multiple choice and 25% student-produced response, where you type the answer. A calculator is allowed on every question, and the Desmos graphing calculator is built in. About 30% of questions use a real-world context. |
Module 1 decides Module 2
Module 1 mixes easy, medium and hard questions. Do well and you get a harder Module 2, which unlocks the top of the score range. Inside a module you can skip, flag and return to any question.
A few questions don’t count
Each section includes a small number of pretest questions that College Board is trying out. They don’t affect your score, and you can’t tell which ones they are, so give every question your best effort.
The Reading and Writing section
Two 32-minute modules of 27 questions each. Every question has its own short passage, so you never have to hold a long text in your head for ten questions. Questions come in a set order: Craft and Structure, Information and Ideas, Standard English Conventions, then Expression of Ideas, with the easier questions first in each group.
- 27
- questions per module
- ~71 sec
- per question
- 25–150
- words per passage
- 0
- points lost for a wrong answer
The four domains, in plain English
Craft and Structure
Be ready to: choose the most precise word (Words in Context), name what a sentence does in a passage, and predict how one author would respond to another (Cross-Text Connections).
Information and Ideas
Be ready to: find a text’s main idea, choose the quote or data that best supports a claim (Command of Evidence), and finish a passage with its most logical conclusion (Inferences).
Standard English Conventions
Be ready to: join and separate clauses with the right punctuation (Boundaries), make subjects and verbs agree, and choose the right tense, pronoun and possessive (Form, Structure, and Sense).
Expression of Ideas
Be ready to: use only the notes that accomplish a stated goal (Rhetorical Synthesis), and choose the transition that shows the right logical link.
Conventions and Expression of Ideas are almost half the section and follow learnable rules, so they are the fastest points to raise.
Strategies that work
- Answer from the text, not from what you know. The right choice is always supported by the passage, even if another choice is a true fact.
- Predict before you look. On words-in-context questions, say your own word for the blank, then match it to a choice.
- Read the goal first on “notes” questions. Rhetorical synthesis asks you to meet a stated goal; pick the choice that does exactly that.
- Bank the grammar. Once you know the rules, Conventions questions take 30–45 seconds. Spend the time you save on inferences.
- Use the Bluebook tools. Highlight, cross out choices and flag questions to revisit before the module ends.
- Watch for extreme words. “Always”, “proves” and “entirely” are rarely supported by a 100-word passage.
- Two minutes is the limit. If a question passes two minutes, pick your best guess, flag it and move on.
- Read tables carefully. For quantitative evidence, check the exact row, column and units the claim refers to.
Grammar rules cheat sheet
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| A semicolon works like a period | It joins two complete sentences: The lab closed early; the samples were already frozen. |
| A colon follows a complete sentence | It introduces a list, an explanation or an example: She had one goal: finishing the race. |
| Comma + FANBOYS joins sentences | for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. A comma alone between two sentences is a comma splice. |
| Extra information gets a matching pair | Two commas or two dashes around a non-essential phrase, never one of each. |
| Skip the phrase to find the subject | The list of supplies is long. The subject is “list”, not “supplies”. |
| No comma between subject and verb | The scientists who ran the study found… (no comma before “found”). |
| Possessives and contractions | its = belonging to it; it’s = it is; the researchers’ data = belonging to several researchers. |
| Modifiers touch what they describe | Walking home, Maya saw a fox, not Walking home, a fox was seen by Maya. |
Transitions to know. Contrast: however, nevertheless, by contrast, still. Result: therefore, thus, consequently. Addition: moreover, furthermore, in addition. Example: for example, for instance. Similarity: similarly, likewise. Time: meanwhile, subsequently, finally.
Tip: Hard questions in Module 1 matter most. Getting them right is what sends you to the harder Module 2.
The Math section
Two 35-minute modules of 22 questions each. You can use a calculator on every question, and the Desmos graphing calculator is built into Bluebook. Questions get harder as a module goes on, but early questions count the same, so don’t rush them.
- 22
- questions per module
- ~95 sec
- per question
- ~25%
- student-produced responses
- 100%
- of questions allow a calculator
The four domains, in plain English
Algebra
Be ready to: write an equation from a word problem, explain slope and intercept in context, and tell when a system has no solution or infinitely many.
Advanced Math
Be ready to: factor and complete the square, use the vertex and discriminant, model exponential growth and decay, and shift or stretch graphs.
Problem-Solving & Data Analysis
Be ready to: find percent change, read scatterplots and lines of best fit, compare mean and median with outliers, and use a two-way table.
Geometry & Trigonometry
Be ready to: use similar triangles and the Pythagorean theorem, apply SOH-CAH-TOA and radians, and find arc length, sector area and a circle’s equation.
Algebra and Advanced Math are 70% of the section. Fluency with linear equations, systems, quadratics and function notation moves your score faster than anything else.
Strategies that work
- Read the last line twice. Are they asking for x, or for 2x + 1? Many wrong choices are right answers to a different question.
- Plug in or back-solve. When algebra gets messy, test the answer choices or pick easy numbers for variables.
- Know the reference sheet by heart. It’s there on test day, but opening it costs time.
- Check units in word problems. Convert minutes to hours, or percents to decimals, before you calculate.
- Let Desmos do the algebra: graph both sides of an equation and click the intersection, click a parabola’s vertex or x-intercepts, add a slider for an unknown constant like k, or run y₁ ~ mx₁ + b on a table for a line of best fit.
Formulas to know cold
| Idea | Formula | When it shows up |
|---|---|---|
| Slope | m = (y₂ − y₁) / (x₂ − x₁) | Lines through two points; rate of change in context |
| Vertex of a parabola | x = −b / (2a) | Maximum or minimum of a quadratic |
| Discriminant | b² − 4ac: >0 two, =0 one, <0 no real solutions | “How many solutions?” and “for what value of k?” |
| Sum and product of roots | sum = −b/a, product = c/a | Quadratics you’d rather not solve |
| Exponential model | y = a(1 ± r)ᵗ | Growth or decay by a percent each period |
| Percent change | (new − old) / old × 100 | Prices, populations, data tables |
| Circle | (x − h)² + (y − k)² = r² | Complete the square to find center and radius |
| Arcs and sectors | arc = (θ/360)·2πr, sector = (θ/360)·πr² | Circle questions in degrees; π radians = 180° |
| Complementary angles | sin x° = cos(90 − x)° | Trig questions that look impossible at first |
Typing your answer
Up to 5 characters for a positive answer, 6 for a negative one. Fractions or decimals are both fine, but not mixed numbers: type 7/2 or 3.5, not 3 1/2. Round or cut long decimals at the fourth digit (2/3 can be .6666 or .6667). No units, %, $ or commas.
Tip: Many system and quadratic questions take 15 seconds in Desmos and two minutes by hand.
10 traps that cost points
Answering the wrong question
You solve for x, but the question asked for x + 3 or 2x. Reread the last line before you choose.
True but off-target choices
On Reading and Writing, a choice can be accurate and still not answer the question or meet the goal.
Bringing in outside knowledge
If the passage doesn’t support it, it’s wrong, even if it’s a real fact you learned in class.
Comma splices
Two complete sentences need a period, semicolon, or comma + FANBOYS. A comma alone is never enough.
Extreme answer choices
“Always”, “proves” and “entirely” are rarely backed up by a short passage. Prefer measured claims.
Ignoring units
Minutes vs hours, percent vs decimal, feet vs inches. Convert before you calculate.
Rushing Module 1
Module 1 decides how high you can score. Accuracy there matters more than finishing early.
Typing an invalid answer
Mixed numbers like 3 1/2 can be misread. Enter 7/2 or 3.5, and leave off units and % signs.
Skipping Desmos
Many system and quadratic questions take 15 seconds in Desmos and two minutes by hand.
Leaving blanks
There’s no penalty for wrong answers. Guess, flag the question, and return if time allows.
Your 12-week study roadmap
A steady plan beats cramming. Three or four focused sessions a week is enough for most students, as long as every session ends with reviewing mistakes.
- Week 1
Baseline test
Take a full practice test in Bluebook under real timing. Log every miss by domain and skill in a mistake journal.
- Weeks 2–4
Grammar and Algebra
Learn the conventions rules and the linear-equation toolkit. Do 20 Question Bank questions a day.
- Weeks 5–7
Advanced Math and evidence
Quadratics, exponentials, Information and Ideas. Learn the Desmos moves. One timed module each weekend.
- Week 8
Second full test
Compare each domain with Week 1. Re-aim the next four weeks at what’s still weakest.
- Weeks 9–10
Push the ceiling
Filter the Question Bank to hard questions in Craft and Structure, data analysis, geometry and trig.
- Weeks 11–12
Full tests and review
Two more full tests on Saturday mornings. Review every miss, then go light in the last two days.
The final four weeks
| When | Focus | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 4 weeks out | Full practice test, then review every miss by domain | Name your three weakest skills |
| 3 weeks out | Drill those three skills; one timed module per section | 80% or better on those skills |
| 2 weeks out | Full practice test at the time of day you’ll test | Finish every module on time |
| Final week | Light review of grammar rules and formulas; complete exam setup in Bluebook | Rest the night before |
Keep a mistake journal: for every miss, write the domain, why you missed it (didn’t know it, misread, ran out of time) and the rule that would have saved you. Reread it before each full test.
5 practice questions
Original questions written by ACT SAT GO in the style of the SAT, pitched hard. The free PDF has 10, with full explanations.
- R&W · Words in Context
Although the committee’s report was praised for its thoroughness, critics noted that its recommendations were largely ______: they restated policies already in place rather than proposing anything new.
- A innovative
- B redundant
- C controversial
- D ambiguous
Show answer
Answer: B. The colon explains the blank: the recommendations “restated policies already in place.” Repeating what already exists is redundant. “Innovative” is the opposite, and nothing suggests controversy or unclear meaning.
- R&W · Boundaries
In 1928, Alexander Fleming noticed that mold had killed the bacteria in one of his culture ______ this accidental observation eventually led to the development of penicillin.
- A dishes,
- B dishes;
- C dishes
- D dishes, and,
Show answer
Answer: B. Both sides are complete sentences, so a semicolon joins them. A is a comma splice, C is a run-on, and D adds an incorrect comma after “and.”
- R&W · Transitions
Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor. ______ they support roughly a quarter of all known marine species.
- A Therefore,
- B Similarly,
- C Nevertheless,
- D For instance,
Show answer
Answer: C. A tiny area supporting a huge share of species is a surprising contrast, and “nevertheless” signals exactly that. “Therefore” would mean the small area caused the diversity.
- Math · Advanced Math
The function f(x) = 2x² − 12x + c, where c is a constant, has a minimum value of 5. What is the value of c?
- A 5
- B 18
- C 23
- D 41
Show answer
Answer: C. The minimum is at the vertex, x = −(−12)/(2·2) = 3. f(3) = 18 − 36 + c = c − 18 = 5, so c = 23.
- Math · Problem-Solving & Data
The price of a jacket is increased by 20%. The new price is then decreased by 25%. The final price is what percent of the original price?
- A 85%
- B 90%
- C 95%
- D 105%
Show answer
Answer: B. Percent changes multiply: 1.20 × 0.75 = 0.90, or 90%. Adding them (+20% − 25% = −5%) gives the trap answer, 95%.
Scores and 2026–27 test dates
Your total score is the sum of the Reading and Writing and Math section scores, each from 200 to 800.
Set your own target from your college list. Look up each college’s middle-50% SAT range (in its Common Data Set, section C9, or admissions page) and aim for the upper half of that range.
Score Choice and superscoring
You choose which test dates to send, though some colleges ask for all scores. Many colleges superscore, combining your best section scores across dates.
Free score reports
Registration includes free score sends to four colleges, usable until 9 days after your test date.
2026–27 SAT weekend test dates
| Test date | Register by | Late registration (fee) | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 7, 2026 | October 23 | October 27 | Seniors’ last early-round option at many colleges |
| December 5, 2026 | November 20 | November 24 | Regular-decision seniors; juniors’ first try |
| March 6, 2027 | February 19 | February 23 | Juniors after winter prep |
| May 1, 2027 | April 16 | April 20 | Juniors; plan around AP exams |
| June 5, 2027 | May 21 | May 25 | Juniors’ retake before summer |
Dates from College Board’s 2026–27 calendar; always confirm on sat.collegeboard.org before you register. Many schools also offer the SAT free on a school day.
Free resources and a test-day checklist
Bluebook practice tests Free
bluebook.collegeboard.orgFull-length adaptive practice tests that look and score like the real SAT. Review answers in My Practice afterward.
Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy Free
khanacademy.org/digital-satFree lessons and practice for every skill, built with College Board. Great for Weeks 2–7.
SAT Suite Question Bank Free
satsuitequestionbank.collegeboard.orgReal-style questions you can filter by domain, skill and difficulty. Use it to drill hard questions.
Desmos graphing calculator Free
desmos.com/calculatorThe same calculator that’s built into Bluebook. Practice until the moves are automatic.
SAT Skills Insight Free
satsuite.collegeboard.orgShows the skills students in each score band usually have, so you can see what the next band needs.
ACT SAT GO free practice tests Free
actsatgo.com/free-testTimed practice tests with a score report, plus a free diagnostic session with a tutor.
Test-day checklist
- Bluebook installed and updated, with exam setup completed in the days before the test
- Admission ticket from Bluebook, printed or saved
- Acceptable photo ID
- Device fully charged, plus a charger or power cord
- Pencils or pens for the scratch paper you’ll be given
- An approved calculator (optional; Desmos is built in)
- Snack and water for the break
- Arrive by 7:45 a.m.; doors usually close at 8:00
- Phone off and put away for the whole test
- A good night’s sleep. No new material the night before.
Testing with accommodations? Apply through your school’s SSD coordinator well before your registration deadline. Approved accommodations carry over to future SAT dates.
Aiming for 1500+? Get a personal SAT plan.
Book a free diagnostic session. We’ll find your weakest skills, review your practice tests and give you a week-by-week plan to test day.