SAT Exam Pattern: Syllabus, Section Wise, Questions, Practice Test; www.collegeboard.org

SAT Exam Pattern Highlights

The below table provides an idea about the SAT test pattern. Candidates will get to know about the duration, number of questions, score range, and more.

SAT Exam Pattern

The SAT question paper pattern is based on two main sections – evidence-based reading and writing, and mathematics. There is an optional essay section which is opted by candidates sometimes.

The SAT exam pattern of SAT EBRW consists of reading and writing sections.

SAT Reading Test

• 52 multiple choice questions in 5 passages to be attempted in 65 minutes
• One literary passage from American or International work of fiction like short stories or novels
• One passage or a pair of passages from U.S. founding documents or Great Global Conversation on topics like freedom, justice, and human dignity
• A selection of passages on economics, psychology, sociology, etc.
• Two passages from the work of science
• Students are required to read the passage and answer the question by telling a story or making an argument or explaining a study or experiment

Types of Questions

SAT EBRW questions are divided into five categories:

• Command and evidence: A total of 10 SAT reading questions comprise command of evidence questions. These questions test the interpretation of data presented in graphics, analysis of evidence, producing a link between text and graphics, and also understanding the author’s use of evidence.
• Information and Ideas – This question type focuses on searching for direct or implied information, finding passages that describe the information, analyzing main themes, identification of summarization, and also analyzing links between ideas.
• Rhetoric – Questions asking about the meaning, style, or tone conveyed by the author. The word choice questions are focused more on effect than definition. Text structure questions can be solved with structural strategies like cause and effect or problem-solution techniques.
• Synthesis – Questions asking to draw conclusions and make connections between two passages or between passages and informational graphs like tables, graphs, and charts, accompany some passages
• Words in context – In the SAT question pattern, words in context question focuses on the advanced vocabulary. According to College Board, the focus should be on ‘high-utility academic words and phrases’.

SAT Writing and Language Test

• SAT language and writing test consists of 44 multiple choice questions in 4 passages to be attempted in 35 minutes
• Requires students to revise and edit passages
• Topics explored are career, science, humanities, history, and social science
• Passage writing modes are narrative, argumentative, and informative/explanatory
• At least one passage on each of the above writing modes is present

Types of Questions

SAT questions of writing and language are as follows:

• Expression of Idea – Improve the structure, organization, and how the idea is being articulated in the passage as well as the overall effectiveness of language. The organization is a part of the expression of ideas. Here where candidates will be asked to place a particular part of the passage in the correct place. This requires picking up clues from the passage. Development questions focus on strengthening the passage by addition or eliminating of information. Lastly, effective language use focuses on a correct, accurate, and concise text.
• Standard English Conventions – The SAT writing and language test focuses on the usage of Standard English conventions like agreement, conjugation, and word choice. The second point is a sentence structure that focuses on the identification of independent and dependent clauses, usage of transitions, and conjunctions.

SAT Mathematics

• SAT Math comprises of two sub-parts – math with calculator and math without a calculator
• 58 questions to be attempted in 80 minutes
• 80% of questions are multiple-choice while 20% are grid ins
• Math with calculator has 30 multiple choice questions and 8 grid-in questions
• Grid in questions require students to enter the derived answers in the grids provided in the bubble sheet as shown below:

• Math without calculator has 15 multiple choice questions and 5 grid-in questions
• A set of formula and references are provided at the beginning of the test
• The section is given specific attention for students going for science, technology, engineering, or math
• Questions are framed in real-life settings on topics from science, social science, and career contexts.

Type of Questions

Math sections of SAT paper pattern comprise of questions categories into three different areas of math:

• Heart of Algebra – create, manipulate and solve algebraic equations like linear equations and systems
• Problem Solving and Data Analysis – interpret graphs and table and solve problems in real-world situations using ratios, percentages and proportional reasoning
• Passport to Advanced Math – Work on, manipulate and solve complex mathematical equations and function

Majorly comprised of questions from the above topics, the sections also have questions from additional topics in math which includes –

• Area and Volume
• Coordinate Geometry
• Basic Trigonometry

SAT Essay

• The essay is optional but is required by most colleges to get a deeper insight into a student’s personality and his/her thought process
• You must pay charges additional to the basic SAT registration fee to take the Essay section
• Students are required to write an essay on the topic given based on a passage within 50 minutes
• Students must consider and explain how the author evidence, reasoning and styling elements to make the passage convincing in their essays
• Three separate scores on a range of 2-8 is given
• The essay sections helps students assess their skills in –
  • Reading – how well a student could comprehend the passage
  • Analysis – how well a student analyzed the author’s argument in the passage
  • Writing – how well a student could structure his/her response

Types of Questions

The passage for essay in every SAT may vary, however, all the passages consist of the following points:

• Written for a broad audience
• Argue a point
• Express subtle views on complex subjects
• Use logical reasoning and evidence to support claims
• Examine ideas, debates, or trends in the arts and sciences, or civic, cultural, or political life
• Always taken from published works