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SAT Exam Syllabus

SAT Exam Syllabus 2024

 

The SAT is neither a test of academic excellence, nor a test of intelligence, nor a test of aptitude. It only tests you on some Math and English topics that are covered in high school. To achieve a high score, it is critical to analyse each section and its question types in order to comprehend the content and skills required for the SAT exam syllabus.

The SAT is a computer-based test developed to assess the verbal and mathematical skills of the students aspiring to study abroad, especially in the USA.

Moreover, the SAT is considered easier than JEE mains in terms of SAT syllabus, stress level, and acceptance rate, and has a larger number of candidates giving the exam globally.

 

Highlights of SAT Exam 2024

Exam Name SAT Exam
Conducted By College Board for International Candidates
Exam Type For Bachelors
Sections 2 (Reading and Writing, and Math)
Number of Questions 98 Questions
Duration 134 Minutes
Score Range 400- 1600
Language English
Mode of Exam Computer-based
Negative Marking No but multi-stage adaptive

 

SAT Test Syllabus

The three areas of the SAT Exam subjects—Critical Reading, Writing, and Math—assess a student’s readiness for admission to colleges abroad.

 

SAT Verbal Syllabus (Reading and Writing)

The Reading and Writing section of the SAT measures a student’s career and college readiness. This section assesses a student’s ability to use evidence, a strong indicator of college readiness and success, in the key areas of language, comprehension, and rhetoric.

The Reading and Writing section consists of multiple-choice questions that require them to read text, understand it, and apply that information and understanding in answering the questions. It also required the students to analyze the craft and structure of texts, revise the text to enhance the rhetorical expressions, and edit texts to have them adhere to the standard English conventions.

The section contains two equal-length modules of 32 minutes and 25 questions each. In addition, it also includes two pre-test or experimental questions. Each module is separately timed, and students can move backward and forward among questions in a given module before time runs out.

The Reading aspect of the SAT Reading and Writing tests how well you ‘interpret, synthesize, and use evidence from a wide range of sources. In addition to questions about the texts, it will also have questions that require you to interpret accompanying tables, charts, and graphs.

What matters is how carefully you analyze the texts and answer the questions based on what you have read. Consistent timed practice with reliable material and taking full-length tests are ways in which you can improve your scores. Just reading and comprehending do not get your points.

The SAT does not ask questions that require you to know obscure and uncommon words. Vocabulary in Context questions will ask about words from the passage. These are often common, familiar words used in unusual ways or with their secondary, less common meanings. You need to develop habits and skills to use clues from the context to figure out what the words mean.

However, improving your vocabulary should be part of your SAT preparation as this will help you understand the passages better and answer the questions more easily.

The Writing aspect of the SAT Reading and Writing, as outlined in the SAT English syllabus, covers four major skills areas: Command of Evidence, Words in Context, Expression of Ideas, and Standard English Conventions. These questions test your knowledge of grammar and punctuation and the effective use of language.

Fortunately, SAT tests you on just a handful of common grammar rules. By mastering those rules and having a systematic approach you can ace these questions with ease. Definitions of rules are not tested; what is tested is the correction and identification of errors.

Some grammar concepts and rules that you will need to know are subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, parallelism, and modifiers. Quite a few questions will test your knowledge of punctuation and the linking of phrases and clauses.

For a detailed overview of the SAT content, you can refer to the sat exam syllabus pdf available on official and educational websites.

 

Quick Overview Of The SAT Reading and Writing Test Syllabus

  New SAT Reading and Writing
Timing 64 minutes, evenly divided between 2 stages.
Passage Format 54 passages and Question sets

One short reading passage (25-150 words) per question.

Reading Organization Reading questions are presented in the first half of each reading and Writing stage and are organized by domain and then question type:

1. Craft and structure

  A. Words in Context

  B. Text Structure and Purpose

  C. Cross-Text Connections

2. Info and Ideas

   A. Central Ideas and Details

   B. Command of Evidence ( Textual or Quantitative)

   C. Inferences

Question Organization Difficulty increases with each question type
Writing/English Organization Writing questions are presented in the second half of each Reading and writing stage and are organized by domain and then question type:

1. Standard English Conventions
A. Boundaries
B. Form, Structure,and Sense

2. Expression of Ideas
A. Rhetorical Synthesis
B. Transitions

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SAT Math Syllabus

The Math section of the SAT measures a student’s ability to use mathematical knowledge for effective problem-solving in real-world situations. The section is made up of two sections.

The SAT Math section contains two equal-length modules of 35 minutes and 20 questions each. In addition, it also includes two pre-test or experimental questions. Each module is separately timed, and students can move backward and forward among questions in a given module before time runs out.

For most of the SAT exam portion, you need to know 6th to 10th Grade math covering arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics, and basic trigonometry. Some Advanced Math and “Additional Math” concepts will involve Quadratic and Exponential functions and Geometric and Trigonometric concepts. It’s crucial to review the SAT exam math syllabus thoroughly to ensure comprehensive preparation.

The SAT Math does not test Imaginary or complex numbers. Student-Produced Responses can now be negative (and in that case include an extra digit). Also, there are no question sets with common info—every question is now discrete.

Very often on the SAT, a math question is hard not because it tests a hard concept; it is hard because most students get it wrong. Therefore, careful reading and a systematic approach can get you a great score.

The test writers often include a few traps in the question wording or in the answer choices in such a way that if you don’t read carefully, you are likely to fall for those traps. Therefore, knowing the test is more important than just studying academic content. That’s why we at Manya – The Princeton Review believe that the SAT just tests “how good you are at taking the SAT”.

For a comprehensive understanding, you might find it helpful to refer to the SAT Math syllabus PDF for detailed information on the topics covered.

 

Quick Overview of the SAT Math Test Syllabus

  New SAT Math
Timing 70 minutes, evenly divided between 2 stages.
Passage Format 44 Questions: about 33 multiple-choice questions intermixed with 11 student-produced-response questions.

 

One short reading passage (25-150 words) per question.

Reading Organization Math Content

1.       Algebra

2.       Advanced Math

3.       Problem-Solving and Data Analysis

4.       Geometry and Trigonometry

Question Organization Difficulty increases with each stage
Calculator Use An approved calculator or the testing application’s built-in graphing calculator can be used on all math questions.
Science Reading, writing, and math questions as students interpret graphs and data tables.

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The Math Test Focuses on Three Core Areas

Algebra

Linear equations in one variable, Linear equations in two variables, Linear functions, Systems of two linear equations in two variables, Linear inequalities in one or two variables.

 

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 scatter plots, Probability and conditional probability, Inference from sample statistics and margin of error, Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments

 

Advanced Math

Equivalent expressions, Nonlinear equations in one variable and systems of equations in two variables, Nonlinear functions

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FAQ's

How do the digital SAT questions look now?

The questions on the digital SAT are exactly the same as it was for the paper and pencil SAT except for a few changes in the wording and reduction in the length of the passages.

To get a sense of types of the questions that you are likely to face in the digital SAT, check out the sample questions that have been released by the College Board in the link below.

https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/digital-sat-sample-questions.pdf

How is the Digital SAT different from the SAT paper?

In terms of reading and writing the passages are cut and short which is only 1-3 paragraphs with only one question for each paragraph, rather than the offline SAT paper thus this one of the basic differences between Digital SAT and SAT paper.

How will the digital SAT be different from the CURRENT paper and pencil SAT?

While there are many things that stay the same between the digital SAT and the Pencil and paper-based SAT, there are a few major changes that stand out in the new form of the test.

CURRENT SAT DIGITAL SAT
Tests a range of high school level math concepts and reading/writing skills Nothing new; some small changes in distribution and naming of concepts
Scored on a scale of 200-800 per section; 400-1600 overall No change; College Board to provide score linking
Total Testing Time ~3 Hours Total Testing Time reduced to ~2 Hours
Time intensive test: 1.17/question (average) More time per question: average 1.37 min/question (+17% more time)
Reading Intensive test: long reading passage (500-750 words) Shorter passages (25-150 words); math word problems also shortened.
Math includes a “no calculator” section Built-in calculator can be used for all math sections
Paper and Pencil Computer based test; range of student of center provided devices
Linear test; familiar correlation between correct answers and scores Adaptive by section; uncertainty around calculation of scores
Question formats unchanged since 2016 Single question, shorter passage reading questions; some other small changes
College Board practice resources: 10 Official released tests Some uncertainty around exact timing and quantity of practice resources
Familiar Timelines International testing, Digital PSAT, more school administration, etc.
Scored on a scale of 200-800 per section; 400-1600 overall No change; College Board to provide score linking

How to start preparation for the 2024 Digital SAT?

To start preparation for the 2024 Digital SAT one can focus on the vocabulary for the reading section, work on strong Grammer and punctuation of writing and language section of SAT.

Which subjects are there in the SAT exam?

The SAT broadly is categorized into the Reading, Writing & Language, and the Math Sections. The Reading section tests the comprehension skills of the students via 5 passages that cover topics from US/World Literature, History/Social Sciences, and Science. The Writing & Language section tests the students’ knowledge of grammar, usage of the English Language, and expression of ideas. All of this is tested through 4 passages covering topics from Humanities, Science, Careers, and History.

The 2 Math sections are divided into Calculator and No Calculator sections and cover topics from Algebra, Problem Solving & Data Analysis, and some Advanced Math involving quadratic equations and functions.

What is the difficulty level of the SAT Exam?

The SAT is a test that gives a mix of difficulty levels in questions. Mostly the questions are distributed equally in the easy, medium, and harder difficulty level questions, but all the same, you win just 1 point for any level of question. So you should focus on getting more questions right rather than the number of questions you work on. Anyways, there is no negative marking. So you have to answer all questions, maybe even guess when there’s no time.

What are the important topics in mathematics for SAT Exam Syllabus 2023?

The important topics in Math include Algebra, which tests on linear equations; Problem Solving & Data Analysis, which includes numbers and operations; and Advanced Math that measures the students’ understanding of complex equations.

What are the common topics for the Reading Test in SAT Syllabus 2023?

The common topics are 1 passage from the classic-contemporary work of US/World Literature, a pair of passages from History/ Social Sciences-usually about the US founding documents or texts from the Great Global Conversation, economics, sociology, etc. And a pair of passages from Science-concepts from earth science, chemistry, physics or biology…

What does the SAT Reading Section evaluate in a student?

The SAT Reading section measures the reading and comprehension skills of a student. The range of reading skills required are tested through questions on

Command of Evidence-the answer to such questions always needs the evidence from the passage or even graphs and charts.

Words in context- these questions test the interpretational skills of a student.

Analysis of History/social science and Science- examining data or hypotheses and drawing conclusions.

What topics are expected in the SAT Writing and Language Test?

There is no topic that you can expect in the Writing & Language section. The 4 passages that you are asked questions from will be based on careers, social sciences, history, humanities, and science. The questions will mostly ask you to fix grammatical errors or improve the organization, ideas, and structure of passages.

What should I study for SAT English?

You do not have any specific course syllabus on the SAT that you can have prior knowledge of. All questions on the Reading and Writing are evidence-based questions. So how you prepare for the SAT would be to know the skills and strategies of working questions correctly in as little time as possible by reading passages and understanding the text.

What type of questions will be asked in the Writing and Language section of the SATs?

There are broadly two types of questions on the Writing & Language section:

The proofreader questions test you on the grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and usage of the English language.

The editor questions ask you to improve the ideas and organization of a passage, make the correct word choice according to the style and tone of a passage, add or delete sentences to improve the passage structure, and even combine sentences in the most effective manner.

Does SAT mock test online helps in SAT preparation?

Giving mock test will definitely help a candidate in his/her exam preparation. Mock test will make a candidate familiar with real test environment.

Is Digital SAT acceptable?

Yes, Digital SAT is acceptable. SAT college admission exam to go digital and shorter, and Calculators to be allowed too.

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