SAT Exam Pattern 2022 – Marks Distribution, Sections, Preparation

SAT Exam Pattern
Share

Are you the one struggling with finding out what types of questions are asked in the SAT Exam?

As an applicant, you might already be familiar with the concepts and topics of the exam but it is the time you refer to the exam pattern so as to understand it in a more detailed manner. To help you with this, we cover crucial information and insights to help you get on the right track by making you prepared to score better in your SAT Exam.

SAT Exam Pattern & Preparation

SAT is a qualifier and measurer of your academic ability which can help you get into colleges abroad. Here is the table to help you get information about SAT Exam Pattern.

SAT Exam Duration3 Hours
Total Section2 Sections (Evidence Based Reading Writing & Maths)
Total Questions154
Mode of SAT ExamPaper-based
Medium of InstructionEnglish
Negative MarkingNo
Score Range400-1600

In 2021 and 2022, the College Board has also removed the mandate to opt for the essay & subject test which is a great step to ease out your burden of studying extra.

Key Points for SAT Exam Pattern

  • The evidence-Based Reading/Writing Section has Multiple Choice based Questions.
  • Maths section is divided into two subsections which consist of – calculator and non-calculator. In the calculator section, you are allowed the use of a calculator during the examination.
  • Time limit for the whole exam is 180 mins in total and will be divided as –
    • Evidence-Based Reading/Writing (EBRW) section is 100 minutes
    • Math in 80 minutes
  • The language of SAT is English while the mode of giving the exam is offline.
  • As an applicant, you can take practice tests on the official college board website to understand marking scheme and exam pattern.

SAT Marks Distribution

Here is the table through which you can understand the distribution of marks between varied SAT sections.

Marks Distribution between different SAT Sections

CategorySection
Evidence-based Reading and Writing800
Mathematics800
Total1600

Now since you have understood a bit about the exam pattern, you can also check how to prepare for SAT and all the important dates of SAT exam.

SAT Reasoning Test Exam Pattern

The SAT exam format in reasoning paper consists mostly of objective-type questions. It covers 154 questions in total covering different sections which have to be finished in the time duration of approximately 3 hours in total. Here is the detailed SAT Reasoning Test Exam Pattern to help you understand different sections:

SAT Reading Section

The SAT Exam reading section comes under a reasoning test which consists of 52 Questions that need to be completed within the time frame of 65 mins. The Reading Section checks your understanding and skills related to how well you can read and understand topics. It covers passages from different varied subjects like career, history, science, social studies, etc.

  1. Career: It consists of passages related to various career paths to test the acumen on how well you understand it.
  2. History and Social Studies: It can cover a wide range of topics around economics, law, geography, etc.
  3. Science: The passages under the science section contain topics related to chemistry, physics, earth science, etc.
  4. Humanities: The passages in Humanities are based on topics from philosophy, law, arts, religion, literature, etc.

SAT Writing and Language Section

The SAT Writing and Language Test checks for your ability and approach to improve existing passages given as a question where you have to choose the right answer through MCQ improving the flow of information and grammar. It consists of three different types of passages which are as follows:

  1. Narrative Non-Fiction Passage: These questions are based on stories which you have to read and then answer related questions.
  2. Argumentative Passage: These passages cover strong points of the author to test how well candidates can approach arguments. You can understand how you can support your argumentative approach by understanding the concept of argument walls through the interactive video and quiz provided below:
SAT Exam Pattern
  1. Information or Explanatory: it consists of information based on a particular subject or topic.

SAT Mathematics Section

SAT Mathematics covers strong foundations of mathematical concepts which test you on the basis of reasoning ability, problem-solving, algebra, etc. The math sections contain various questions where you are also allowed to use a calculator. Here is the precise information related to the mathematics section:

  • What is asked in the Maths Algebra section? The Maths section covers all those topics which you might be studying since early years. The heart of algebra consists of equations, expressions, relations between quantities, formulas, etc.
  • What does Geometry cover in the SAT Exam? You might already be familiar with concepts related to circles, squares, rectangles, and other shapes. The questions are more related to finding surface area, Pythagoras theorem, congruence of triangle, etc.
  • What is the Calculator Section and Non Calculator Section? The Calculator and non calculator section both covers questions related to algebra, graph analysis, equations, percentages, quadratic equations, trigonometry etc. There are a mix of questions from which some are MCQ and some are grid-ins where you will be required to solve the question and write it. The Calculator Section offers a 55 minutes (38 Questions) time limit whereas the Non-Calculator section has the time limit of 25 minutes (20 Questions).

SAT Subject Test Exam Pattern

The SAT Exam for the Subject Test has however discontinued in 2021-22. If you are appearing for the SAT on Dec 2021 or 2022 exam dates, you need not worry about the SAT Subject Test as it has now been discontinued by the College Board. Still in order to give you some basic information, here is the pattern which was usually followed in the SAT Subject Test.

  • Time duration of per subject section: 60 minutes.
  • You can choose varied subjects like- Maths, English, Science, Languages, etc.
  • No. of the questions may range between 60-100.

FAQs related to SAT Exam Pattern

Here are various Frequently Asked Questions related to the SAT Exam which can help you if you are appearing for exams in 2021-2022. These questions will answer all your doubts and basic confusions related to the SAT Exam Pattern.

What is the pattern of the SAT Exam?

The SAT Exam Question Paper Pattern consists of an Evidence-Based Reading Writing Section and maths. Since the Subject Test and Essay Test is now discontinued in 2021-2022, you have to just focus on the Reading, Writing and Language Section, and maths Section.

The number of questions in these sections is –

Reading Section (52),
Writing & Language (44),
Mathematics (58).

The exam cumulatively should be completed within the time frame of 180 minutes covering all these sections.

These all sections cover basic subjects which you might have already come across in 10th,11th, or 12th grade.

What is the duration of the SAT Exam?

The duration of the SAT Exam is 180 Minutes (Approximately around 3 Hours exclusive of breaks). In the case of disabled students, the extra time and additional breaks are applicable only as per approval beforehand by the College Board.

What is the SAT Exam in India?

SAT Exam in India is given by students of high school (Class 10-12) to apply for university abroad. The Indian students are among the highest number of students worldwide who want to seek admission in international colleges and universities abroad.

The SAT Exam pattern can be seen as an entrance test to qualify candidates for getting shortlisted into colleges/universities.

How to apply for the SAT Exam?

It is very easy to apply for the SAT Exam pattern as you just need to register online right before the specified due dates which are mentioned on the College Board website.

www.collegeboard.org is the only official website that offers you registration for the SAT Exam.

Is the SAT Exam tough?

No exam is tough as it all depends on your personal capabilities and abilities to do well in the exam. As a piece of expert advice, you should prepare well in advance to increase your chances of getting a good score. 

The SAT Exam Pattern is quite simple and based on subjects that students usually study in grades 10-12. There are no extra criteria or requirements to read a subject out of your school curriculum. It just requires the right timing and practice to make you capable of solving questions within the dedicated time.

Does the SAT Exam have negative markings?

The best part about the SAT Exam is that it does not contain negative markings. In this case, the students who are attempting to answer will not be marked negative in case of a wrong answer.

Who can give the SAT Exam?

There are no as such defined stringent criteria on who can give the SAT Exam. If you are appearing for the SAT, you should be above 13 years of age and passed the 8th standard. There is no maximum limit on the highest age. 

Generally, The students who are currently in their 11 or 12 grades appear for SAT Exam pattern as they can avail themselves of multiple chances to improve their scores.

What is the SAT Exam syllabus?

The SAT Exam Syllabus consists of general subjects like Maths, Language, Reading, Writing, etc.

How much does the SAT Exam cost?

The cost of the SAT Exam is Rs.7,700 ($104 approx.) for Indian candidates. This is a cumulative fee inclusive of sat exam registration and regional fee. 

How many times SAT Exams are conducted in a year?

In India, the SAT Exam is conducted 5 times a year where candidates appearing for it do have to choose any of the dates mentioned in the yearly calendar of SAT Examination which is released by the College Board.

When is the SAT Exam given?

The SAT Exam is widely conducted several times in a particular year. You can choose to opt for SAT Exam 2022 in March, May, and June.

Can I take the SAT Exam after the 12th standard?

Yes, you can appear for the SAT Exam after completing class 12. Since this is an exam for getting into international colleges and universities, it will help you after 12th to directly apply for admissions in universities abroad once the results get declared.

How many types of SAT Exams are there?

In 2021, you only need to sit for the SET Reasoning Test as SAT Subject Tests and Essay Tests have now been discontinued. 

Can I cancel my SAT Exam?

You can just cancel your SAT Exam by choosing not to appear for it on the day of the exam. It will not impact anything as you will not be marked for any show. You can again fill the form and appear for it on any other date.

There is also the option of Canceling Scores if you think that your SAT Exam didn’t go well. In order to cancel the scores, you can do the formalities at the test center itself.

SAT Exam is for what purpose?

The SAT Exam is for the purpose of getting admissions into colleges and universities in countries such as the US, UK, Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, etc. You can use SAT Score to get shortlisted at one of the prestigious colleges.

There are also many universities that require candidates to have SAT scores to avail scholarships.

What is SAT Exam eligibility?

You need to be above 13 years of age to be eligible to appear for the SAT Exam. There are no educational background eligibility criteria as students from various disciplines can appear for this test after the 11th or 12th class to apply for admissions in universities abroad. 

What is considered a good score in the SAT Exam?

Any score above 1400 is considered a good score as it can help you to open your doors for admission to universities and colleges. However, you should also note that the colleges do see a student’s portfolio which covers extracurricular activities and internships done.

In order to build your portfolio, you can opt for career discovery and accelerator programs by Clever Harvey which will offer you exposure to work on real-life projects and get you an industry-recognized certification that can add value to your profile.

Recent Blogs

How to become a content writer

How to become a Content Writer – A Complete Guide

Embarking on a journey as a content writer requires passion, persistence, and continuous learning. With the increasing digitalization of businesses, the demand for skilled content writers is on the rise. Dive in, keep writing, and you’ll carve your niche in no time!

Read More
How to become a marine biologist

How to become a Marine Biologist in 2023- Dream Job Guide

Delve deep into the mysteries of the oceans and uncover the secrets of its inhabitants. If the world beneath the waves intrigues you, a career as a marine biologist awaits. Discover the path to explore and study marine organisms and their fascinating world.

Read More
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Introducing Clever Harvey College Catapult - Get in to your Dream College. Guaranteed.
Introducing Clever Harvey College Catapult - Get in to your Dream College.