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 2. Expression of Ideas |
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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. |
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