SAT Exam Pattern 2024 – Check the Updated Exam Pattern Here! View Duration, Marking Scheme, and More
5.3M Views
Share
Introduction
The SAT test, an important part of study-abroad applications, assesses various skills like critical thinking and math. The SAT exam pattern has sections for reading, writing, and math, and you can choose to write an essay too. Each section has timed parts. You get 32 minutes for reading and writing and 35 minutes for math each time. Understanding how the test works and how it’s scored is really important.
You can get a total score between the score range of 400 to 1600, and each section adds up to this score. There’s no negative marking for getting answers wrong, so you can guess if you’re not sure. Some people find the SAT exam challenging, but studying and getting used to the format can help you do better. Understanding the SAT exam pattern equips you with all the information you need to get ready for the SAT and feel more confident on test day.
Important Links
SAT Paper Structure
Before knowing the SAT exam pattern, you must be aware of the SAT exam structure. The SAT has a composite score that ranges from 400 to 1600. This score combines the Reading and Writing section (200-800) and the Math section (200-800). The entire test, including breaks, lasts for 2 hours and 14 minutes.
| Subjects | Reading and Writing | Maths |
| Test Design | Two-stage adaptive, two-timed modules | Two-stage adaptive, two timed modules |
| Questions per Module | 1st: 25 operational + 2 pretests 2nd: 25 operational + 2 pretest | 1st: 20 operational + 2 pretest 2nd: 20 operational + 2 pretest |
| Time per Module | 1st: 32 minutes 2nd: 32 minutes | 1st: 35 minutes 2nd: 35 minutes |
| Total Questions | 54 questions | 44 questions |
| Total Time | 64 minutes | 70 minutes |
| Average Time/Question | 1.19 minutes | 1.59 minutes |
SAT Exam Pattern Highlights
Now, we will have a look at the main SAT exam pattern for the students. The SAT exam consists of three sections – Reading Section, Writing and Language, and Maths section. There is also an optional essay section. More details regarding the SAT exam pattern have been listed below:
| Section | Duration | Number of Questions | Score Scale |
| Reading and Writing | 64 mins | 54 (50 operational + 4 pre-test) | 200-800 |
| Math | 70 mins | 44 (40 operational + 4 pre-test) | 200-800 |
| Total Exam Duration | 144 mins | - | - |
| Total Questions | 98 | - | - |
| Overall Score Range | - | - | 400-1600 |
SAT Exam Pattern – Order of the Sections
Each section of the SAT has two equal-length modules. The Reading and Writing sections each last 32 minutes, and the Math section each last 35 minutes. Each section of the SAT exam pattern is timed separately, and students can go back and forth among questions within a section until the time is up.
When the time for the first section ends, the test platform automatically moves students to the second section. After finishing the Reading and Writing section, students get a 10-minute break before starting the Math section. Each section also includes a few unscored questions that help with test development, but these questions are not marked.
SAT Exam Pattern – Marking Scheme
Having a clear understanding of the marking pattern is an important segment of the SAT exam pattern. The table below represents the SAT exam marking pattern for the students along with the score range.
| Section | Total Questions | Scoring | Score Range |
| Reading | 52 | +1 per correct | 200-800 (combined) |
| Writing & Language | 44 | +1 per correct | 200-800 (combined) |
| Math | 58 | +1 per correct | 200-800 |
Please note that the total score range for the SAT exam is between 400-1600. Also, there is no negative marking for incorrect or skipped answers. This was the scoring pattern of the SAT exam pattern. The SAT essay has been discontinued by the College Board.
