Editing SAT (section)

==Structure<!-- The structure described in the subsections below is inaccurate as of the introduction of the Digital SAT worldwide in 2024. -->==
{{Update|part=section|date=May 2025|reason=New digital SAT format}}
The current digitally-administered SAT has two main sections: [[Reading (process)|Reading]] and [[Writing]], and [[Mathematics|Math]]. Each of these sections is further broken down into two equal-length "modules". (Until the summer of 2021, the test taker was also optionally able to write an essay as part of an additional test section. The essay was dropped after June 2021, except in a few states and school districts.<ref name=SorensenUSNews>{{Cite web |last=Sorensen |first=Tiffany |title=The Optional SAT Essay: What to Know |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-admissions-playbook/articles/what-to-know-about-the-optional-sat-essay |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |access-date=October 2, 2023 |website=[[U.S. News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126053717/https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-admissions-playbook/articles/what-to-know-about-the-optional-sat-essay |url-status=live }}</ref>) The total time for the scored portion of the SAT is two hours and 14 minutes.<ref name="HowStructured" />

A score for each section is reported on a scale of 200 to 800, and each section score is a multiple of ten. A total score for the SAT is calculated by adding the two section scores, resulting in total scores that range from 400 to 1600. In addition to the two section scores, several subsection "performance" scores (example subsections: "Craft and Structure" in Reading and Writing, and "Algebra" in Math) are also reported for each section. There is no penalty or negative marking for guessing on the SAT: scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly.<ref>{{cite web |title=SAT Weekend Understanding Scores |url=https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/sat-understanding-scores.pdf |website=College Board |access-date=May 7, 2025 |archive-date=March 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250323031659/https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/sat-understanding-scores.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=What Is Digital SAT Adaptive Testing? |url=https://blog.collegeboard.org/what-digital-sat-adaptive-testing |website=College Board |access-date=May 7, 2025 |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124102837/https://blog.collegeboard.org/what-digital-sat-adaptive-testing |url-status=live }}</ref>

The essay, if taken as part of an SAT School Day administration, is scored separately from the two section scores.<ref>{{cite web |title=SAT School Day Essay |url=https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat-school-day/taking-the-test/essay |website=College Board |access-date=May 7, 2025 |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124192124/https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat-school-day/taking-the-test/essay |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="sat-educ-guide">{{cite web |title=The SAT and SAT Subject Tests Educator Guide |url=https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/sat-educator-guide.pdf |publisher=College Board |access-date=July 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018203516/https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/sat-educator-guide.pdf |archive-date=October 18, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Two people score each essay by each awarding 1 to 4 points in each of three categories: Reading, Analysis, and Writing.<ref>{{cite web |title=SAT Essay |url=https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/essay |website=CollegeBoard |date=December 3, 2014 |access-date=March 25, 2021 |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418044249/https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/essay |url-status=live }}</ref> These two scores from the different examiners are then combined to give a total score from 2 to 8 points per category. Though sometimes people quote their essay score out of 24, the College Board themselves do not combine the different categories to give one essay score, instead giving a score for each category.

The optional essay was last featured nationally in the June 2021 administration.<ref name="College Board-2021" /><ref name="Hartocollis-2021" /> College Board said it discontinued the essay section because "there are other ways for students to demonstrate their mastery of essay writing," including the test's reading and writing portion.<ref name="College Board-2021" /><ref name="Hartocollis-2021" /> It also acknowledged that the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] had played a role in the change, accelerating 'a process already underway'.<ref name="Hartocollis-2021" />

=== Reading Test ===
The Reading Test of the SAT contains one section of 52 questions and a time limit of 65 minutes.<ref name="sat-educ-guide" /> All questions are multiple-choice and based on reading passages. Tables, graphs, and charts may accompany some passages, but no math is required to correctly answer the corresponding questions. There are five passages (up to two of which may be a pair of smaller passages) on the Reading Test and ten or eleven questions per passage or passage pair.  SAT Reading passages draw from three main fields: history, social studies, and science. Each SAT Reading Test always includes: one passage from U.S. or world literature; one passage from either a U.S. founding document or a related text; one passage about economics, psychology, sociology, or another social science; and, two science passages. Answers to all of the questions are based only on the content stated in or implied by the passage or passage pair.<ref>{{cite web |title=SAT Reading Test |date=May 12, 2015 |url=https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/reading |publisher=College Board |access-date=August 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816233237/https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/reading |archive-date=August 16, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Reading Test contributes (with the Writing and Language Test) to two subscores, each ranging from 1 to 15 points:<ref name="Score Structure">{{cite web |title=Score Structure |url=https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/about/scores/structure |website=CollegeBoard |date=May 14, 2015 |access-date=March 25, 2021 |archive-date=March 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318193821/https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/about/scores/structure |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Command of Evidence
* Words in Context

=== Writing and Language Test ===

The Writing and Language Test of the SAT is made up of one section with 44 multiple-choice questions and a time limit of 35 minutes.<ref name="sat-educ-guide" /> As with the Reading Test, all questions are based on reading passages which may be accompanied by tables, graphs, and charts. The test taker will be asked to read the passages and suggest corrections or improvements for the contents underlined. Reading passages on this test range in content from topic arguments to nonfiction narratives in a variety of subjects. The skills being evaluated include: increasing the clarity of argument; improving word choice; improving analysis of topics in social studies and science; changing sentence or word structure to increase organizational quality and impact of writing; and, fixing or improving sentence structure, word usage, and punctuation.<ref>{{cite web |title=SAT Writing and Language Test |date=May 12, 2015 |url=https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/writing-language |publisher=College Board |access-date=August 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820033039/https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/writing-language |archive-date=August 20, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Writing and Language Test reports two subscores, each ranging from 1 to 15 points:<ref name="Score Structure"/>
* Expression of Ideas
* Standard English Conventions

=== Mathematics ===
[[File:SAT-Grid-In-Example.svg|thumb|right|An example of an SAT "grid-in" math question and the correctly gridded answer]]
The [[mathematics]] portion of the SAT is divided into two sections: Math Test – No Calculator and Math Test – Calculator. In total, the SAT math test is 80 minutes long and includes 58 questions: 45 [[multiple choice]] questions and 13 grid-in questions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/math|title=SAT Math Test|date=May 12, 2015|publisher=The College Board|access-date=April 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318235212/https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/math|archive-date=March 18, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The multiple choice questions have four possible answers; the grid-in questions are free response and require the test taker to provide an answer.
* The Math Test – No Calculator section has 20 questions (15 multiple choice and 5 grid-in) and lasts 25 minutes.
* The Math Test – Calculator section has 38 questions (30 multiple choice and 8 grid-in) and lasts 55 minutes.

Several scores are provided to the test taker for the math test. A subscore (on a scale of 1 to 15) is reported for each of three categories of math content:
* "Heart of Algebra" (linear equations, systems of linear equations, and linear functions)
* "Problem Solving and Data Analysis" (statistics, modeling, and problem-solving skills)
* "Passport to Advanced Math" (non-linear expressions, radicals, exponentials and other topics that form the basis of more advanced math).
A test score for the math test is reported on a scale of 10 to 40, with an increment of 0.5, and a section score (equal to the test score multiplied by 20) is reported on a scale of 200 to 800.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/about/scores/structure|title=Score Structure – SAT Suite of Assessments|date=May 14, 2015|publisher=The College Board|access-date=April 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318193821/https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/about/scores/structure|archive-date=March 18, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/2015-psat-nmsqt-understanding-scores.pdf|title=PSAT/NMSQT Understanding Scores 2015 – SAT Suite of Assessments|publisher=The College Board|access-date=April 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407074230/https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/2015-psat-nmsqt-understanding-scores.pdf|archive-date=April 7, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/study-guide-students|title=SAT Study Guide for Students – SAT Suite of Assessments|date=July 15, 2015|publisher=The College Board|access-date=April 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423043745/https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/study-guide-students|archive-date=April 23, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Calculator use ====
All scientific and most graphing [[calculator]]s, including [[computer algebra system]] (CAS) calculators, are permitted on the SAT Math – Calculator section only. However, with the change to the Digital SAT during 2023 and 2024, a graphing calculator may be used throughout the entire test and is accessible through the test application program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/cb-calculator-policies-mathematics-science.pdf|title=College Board Calculator Policies|access-date=March 20, 2024|archive-date=July 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702065649/https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/cb-calculator-policies-mathematics-science.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> All four-function calculators are allowed as well; however, these devices are not recommended. Mobile phone and smartphone calculators, calculators with typewriter-like ([[QWERTY]]) keyboards, laptops and other portable computers, and calculators capable of accessing the Internet are not permitted.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/taking-the-test/calculator-policy|title=SAT Calculator Policy|date=January 13, 2016|publisher=The College Board|access-date=April 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318233815/https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/taking-the-test/calculator-policy|archive-date=March 18, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/co-acceptable-calculator-list-sat.pdf|title=Acceptable Calculators|access-date=March 20, 2024|archive-date=March 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320231200/https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/co-acceptable-calculator-list-sat.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Research was conducted by the College Board to study the effect of calculator use on SAT I: Reasoning Test math scores. The study found that performance on the math section was [[Association (statistics)|associated]] with the extent of calculator use: those using calculators on about one third to one half of the items averaged higher scores than those using calculators more or less frequently. However, the effect was "more likely to have been the result of able students using calculators differently than less able students rather than calculator use per se."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://research.collegeboard.org/publications/content/2012/05/calculator-use-and-sat-i-math|title=Calculator Use and the SAT I Math|publisher=The College Board|first1=Janice|last1=Scheuneman|first2=Wayne|last2=Camara|access-date=April 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403142301/http://research.collegeboard.org/publications/content/2012/05/calculator-use-and-sat-i-math|archive-date=April 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> There is some evidence that the frequent use of a calculator in school outside of the testing situation has a positive effect on test performance compared to those who do not use calculators in school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ti-researchlibrary.com/Lists/TI%20Education%20Technology%20%20Research%20Library/Attachments/37/RN2%20-%20GC%20on%20important%20tests.pdf|title=Should graphing calculators be allowed on important tests?|publisher=Texas Instruments|access-date=April 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422040211/http://ti-researchlibrary.com/Lists/TI%20Education%20Technology%20%20Research%20Library/Attachments/37/RN2%20-%20GC%20on%20important%20tests.pdf|archive-date=April 22, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Style of questions ===
Most of the questions on the SAT, except for the student-produced responses (SPR) in the math section, are [[multiple choice]]; all multiple-choice questions have four answer choices, one of which is correct. About 25% of the math section is SPR. They instead require the test taker to enter in a number.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Student-Produced Responses – SAT Suite {{!}} College Board |url=https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/whats-on-the-test/math/student-produced |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=satsuite.collegeboard.org |language=en}}</ref>

Not all questions on each section of the SAT are weighted equally, harder questions are weighted less and easier problems are weighted more.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Ins and Outs of the Digital SAT {{!}} Scoir |url=https://www.scoir.com/blog/the-ins-and-outs-of-the-digital-sat |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=www.scoir.com |language=en-us}}</ref> There are experimental problems which are used by College Board to test future test questions. Answering experimental questions, either correctly or incorrectly), does not impact the test score.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Laszlo |first=Sara |date=2025-03-19 |title=Your Guide to the Digital SAT |url=https://testinnovators.com/blog/digital-sat-guide/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Test Innovators |language=en-US}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
 ! Section<ref>{{Cite web |title=How the SAT Is Structured – SAT Suite {{!}} College Board |url=https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/whats-on-the-test/structure |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=satsuite.collegeboard.org |language=en}}</ref>!! Average score 2024 (200–800)<ref name="test takers" /> !! Time (minutes) !! Content
 |-
 | Reading and Writing || 519 || 32 per module
64 in total
| [[Vocabulary]], [[Critique|Critical]] [[Reading (process)|reading]], [[Sentence (linguistics)|sentence]]-level reading, [[Grammar]], [[usage]], and [[diction]]
 |-
 | Math || 505 || 35 per module
70 in total
| [[Number]] and [[Operation (mathematics)|operations]]; [[algebra]] and [[Function (mathematics)|functions]]; [[geometry]]; [[statistics]], [[probability]], and [[data analysis]]
 |}