SAT Exam Syllabus 2024: Section-Wise SAT Exam Syllabus

The Scholastic Assessment Test or SAT is a standardized test used by most US and Canadian universities for their admissions process. The SAT evaluates an applicant based on their skills in mathematics, evidence-based reading, and writing. One must have a clear understanding of the SAT exam pattern and the SAT exam syllabus before preparing for the test.

More than 1.7 million students take the SAT every year to get admission into universities in the US and Canada, hence they should be acquainted with the SAT test syllabus, SAT question paper formats, and SAT exam subjects. The test has a total of three sections - Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.

All About SAT Exam

Conducted by	College Board
Duration	180 minutes
Exam type	For undergraduate courses
Registration fee	$68 (₹5700 approx)
Language	English
Sections	Three (Reading, Writing, and Maths)
Number of questions	154
Mode of exam	Pen-paper and Digital (for reading and writing)
Score range	400-1600
Negative marking	No

Updates for SAT Syllabus 

According to the latest update on SAT syllabus 2024, the new digital exam pattern is shorter, with a duration of 2 hours and 14 minutes, and a 10-minute break in between. Test takers can now navigate each section freely as the next one starts automatically once the previous one ends.

Type of SAT Exams

It is of two types, the SAT General Exam, and the SAT Subject Exam. The first one is standard for those seeking admission at an American university. 

1. The SAT General Test 

It measures the general readiness of aspirants applying to a college and their ability to solve basic problems in language and mathematics. SAT test syllabus assesses the candidates' written, verbal, and mathematical skills and is generally used by undergraduate colleges for admissions. 

The SAT syllabus for the General Test assesses a candidate on the basis of their general knowledge as well as critical reasoning.

2. The SAT Subject Test (Discontinued now)

It aims to assess students based on their skills in specific subjects that they choose as their specialization. SAT subject test syllabus judges the takers’ proficiency in individual subjects in the streams of science, mathematics, and languages. Colleges use SAT subject tests for admission and course placements. 

The duration of the assessment is 1 hour and students are scored on a scale of 200 to 800. Colleges may also exempt students from certain college requirements like a first-year composition class or foreign language if they have a good SAT Subject Test score. 

Check Out Our: SAT Score Calculator

A Comprehensive Explanation of SAT Exam Syllabus for Indian Students 

1. Reading & Writing

Students have 64 minutes (two 32-minute modules) to complete the Reading and Writing section, and each section is divided into two modules of equal length. The first module would be a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. 

Your performance in the first module will determine the level of difficulty of the second one. You have to answer short passages based on four content domains—Craft and Structure, Information and Ideas, Standard English Conventions, and Expression of Ideas. 

Each of these passages is followed by a single multiple-choice question. To make things easier for you, questions that test similar skills and knowledge are grouped together and arranged from easiest to hardest. 

2. Mathematics

This 70-minute-long section comprises 44 questions to evaluate the candidate’s mathematical reasoning. The score range is between 200 to 800 and has 40 operational questions, 4 pre-test questions. 

The Math section of the digital SAT allows you to use a calculator throughout the test, unlike the previous version where it was divided into a ‘no calculator’ and a ‘calculator’ segment. Throughout this section, you have to answer multiple-choice and student-produced response questions. 

These questions would measure your understanding of, fluency, and ability to apply the essential math concepts, skills, and practices.

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Understanding the SAT Exam Pattern

The syllabus of the SAT exam is divided into two broad categories of evidence-based reading and writing, and mathematics. It is based on the courses students have already studied in schools for years. 

Students will have a better understanding of the SAT exam pattern and SAT exam subjects from the following table:

Sections	Questions	Duration	Score range
Reading & Writing	54 (50 operational questions, 4 pre-test questions)	64 minutes	200-800
Mathematics	44 (40 operational questions, 4 pre-test questions)	70 minutes	200-800
Total		134 minutes	400-1600

Description of SAT Exam Sections

Reading and Writing	The passages that students have to go through in this section range from 25 to 150 words, and they represent the subject areas of humanities, literature, history/social studies, and science.
Mathematics	In this section, candidates are tested on the areas of math that are detrimental to their success in college and career. Mostly, the questions are related to Algebra, Geometry & Trigonometry, Advanced Math, and Problem-solving and Data Analysis.

Types of Questions in SAT Reading and Writing Test

The questions in the SAT Reading and Writing section are based on four categories that are as follows:

1. Information and Ideas

The questions under this category measure comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills. In addition, your ability to identify, evaluate, interpret, and compile information and ideas from informational graphics (tables, bar graphs, and line graphs) and texts is put to test.

2. Craft and Structure

The questions in this section measure vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, comprehension, and reasoning skills. If you possess the knowledge needed to understand and use high-utility words and can put phrases into context, connect topically related texts, and can evaluate texts rhetorically, then you can score well in this section.

3. Expression of Ideas

Your ability to revise texts to improve so as to make the written expressions more effective, and to meet specific rhetorical goals are put to test in this category.

4. Standard English Conventions

The questions require you to edit text in accordance with the core conventions of standard English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.

Types of Questions in SAT Mathematics Test

The types of questions asked are on the basis of SAT exam Maths Syllabus which is divided into four primary categories:

a)Algebra, which focuses on testing the candidate’s mastery of linear equations and systems 

b) Problem-Solving and Data Analysis require them to answer questions with ratios, proportional reasoning, percentages, probability and conditional probability, and data interpretation

c) Advanced Math challenges their capabilities to solve complicated equations and functions of mathematics

d) Geometry and Trigonometry tests your abilities to solve problems related to area and volume formulas, lines, angles, and triangles, and right triangles and trigonometry.

Breakdown of the Number of Questions Asked in Each Type

Type of Math	Number of Questions
Algebra	13-15
Problem Solving and Data Analysis	5-7
Advanced Math	13-15
Geometry and Trigonometry	5-7

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the SAT Exam syllabus for 2024 offers Indian students a structured framework to assess their readiness for college-level education in the United States and Canada. Understanding the detailed exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation, encompassing critical reading, writing, and mathematical reasoning skills. 

Indian students aiming for high scores should focus on familiarizing themselves with the exam's format, practicing with sample questions, and developing test-taking strategies.