SAT Exam Format & Syllabus
Everything you need to know about the SAT structure, sections, question types, and topics tested.
At a Glance
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How Digital Adaptive Testing Works
Module 1 — Standard
All test-takers receive the same set of questions covering a mix of easy, medium, and hard items. Your performance here determines the difficulty of Module 2.
Module 2 — Adaptive
Based on Module 1 performance, you receive either a harder or easier Module 2. A harder Module 2 allows access to higher score bands.
Section Breakdown
Detailed breakdown of each section, including timing, question count, and module structure
Reading & Writing
54 questions · 64 minutes
Module 1
StandardModule 2
AdaptiveQuestion Type Distribution
| Question Type | Module 1 | Module 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Words in Context | 4 | 4 |
| Text Structure & Purpose | 4 | 4 |
| Cross-Text Connections | 2 | 2 |
| Central Ideas & Details | 3 | 3 |
| Command of Evidence (Textual) | 3 | 3 |
| Command of Evidence (Quantitative) | 2 | 2 |
| Inferences | 3 | 3 |
| Rhetorical Synthesis | 2 | 2 |
| Transitions | 2 | 2 |
| Boundaries | 1 | 1 |
| Form, Structure & Sense | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 27 | 27 |
Mathematics
44 questions · 70 minutes
Module 1
StandardModule 2
AdaptiveQuestion Type Distribution
| Question Type | Module 1 | Module 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra | 7 | 7 |
| Advanced Math | 7 | 7 |
| Problem-Solving & Data Analysis | 5 | 5 |
| Geometry & Trigonometry | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 22 | 22 |
Complete Syllabus
All topics and skills tested on the SAT
Reading & Writing
Information and Ideas
- Central Ideas and Details — Main idea, Supporting details
- Inferences — Logical inference
- Command of Evidence (Textual) — Evidence supporting a claim, Evidence that weakens a claim, Evidence that illustrates a literary generalization
- Command of Evidence (Quantitative) — Reading data to complete a statement, Data that supports a hypothesis, Data that weakens a hypothesis
Craft and Structure
- Words in Context — Vocabulary in context, Word completion (most logical and precise word)
- Text Structure and Purpose — Function of an underlined sentence, Overall purpose / structure of the text
- Cross-Text Connections — Authors disagree, Authors agree, Synthesis
Expression of Ideas
- Rhetorical Synthesis — Using notes to accomplish a goal
- Transitions — Logical transitions between sentences and paragraphs
Standard English Conventions
- Boundaries — Sentence boundaries, punctuation
- Form, Structure, and Sense — Grammatical form and structure
Mathematics
Algebra
- Linear equations in one variable
- Linear functions
- Systems of two linear equations in two variables
- Linear inequalities in one or two variables
Advanced Math
- Equivalent expressions
- Nonlinear equations in one variable
- Systems of equations
- Nonlinear functions
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis
- Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units
- Percentages
- One-variable data: distributions and measures of center and spread
- Two-variable data: models and scatterplots
- Probability and conditional probability
- Inference from sample statistics and margin of error
- Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments
Geometry and Trigonometry
- Area and volume
- Lines, angles, and triangles
- Right triangles and trigonometry
- Circles
Scoring
How the SAT is scored
Reading & Writing
200–800
Score range
Mathematics
200–800
Score range
Total Score
400–1600
Combined score range
Adaptive scoring: Your Module 1 performance determines the difficulty of Module 2. A harder Module 2 offers access to higher score bands. There is no penalty for wrong answers — your raw score is simply the number of correct answers.
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