What subjects are there in the SAT syllabus?
Do I need to prepare for it differently?
Is the essay section of the SAT compulsory?
Instead of finding answers to these questions from your friends or distant relatives, why not go through this article which will answer all your questions related to the SAT exam syllabus 2022!
Planning your study schedule for the SAT depends a lot on the syllabus you will cover for the exam. These questions and many others leave students in the shadows of doubt, shifting their focus from preparing for the SATs to grabbing information in bits and pieces about the SAT syllabus from multiple sources.
As studying abroad becomes easier for students in India, the number of students opting for the SAT exam has increased manifold. This makes it important for you to be fully aware of the SAT exam syllabus, the exam pattern and all the related FAQs regarding SAT exam syllabus 2022. Read the article to find all relevant information about the SAT exam to start your preparation in full swing!
P.S: Find an out-of-syllabus tip at the end of the article to give your SAT preparation a boost.
SAT Exam Syllabus 2022 – All You Need to Know
SAT exam dates for 2022 are out! So far, they are scheduled for the months of March and May. As the dates near, it is vital for you to get a clear idea about the SAT exam syllabus of 2022 well in advance so that you can plan your studies accordingly.
Essentially the SAT exam syllabus has 3 parts:
- Reading section.
- Writing section.
- Mathematics section.
Now, let’s take a look at the detailed structure of the SAT exam syllabus for each of these SAT sections.
SAT Exam Syllabus for Reading Section
The reading section of the SAT exam syllabus tests your reading and comprehension skills. Just like most of you would have appeared for comprehension reading tests in your school examinations, the SAT reading syllabus is similar to that.
You get comprehension paragraphs and a list of questions to answer based on your reading and understanding of the text provided. You get 10 or 11 questions from a total of 5 comprehension passages.
The main aim of this section is to assess your understanding of written words, interpretation of sentences and association of different phrases in relation to the bigger context.
SAT Exam Syllabus for Writing Section
The writing section syllabus of the SAT exam usually consists of 4 categories each containing 10-11 questions. The objective of this section is to evaluate your skills in areas such as proofreading, grammatical knowledge, vocabulary, rephrasing chunks of texts and sentence construction.
Your editing skills are up for testing in this crucial section of the SAT exam syllabus. The more you read the text carefully and are able to interpret the meaning out of it correctly, the better you will perform the better you will perform the editing.
SAT Exam Syllabus for Math Section
The SAT mathematics section has 2 parts. One is SAT maths level 1 syllabus which comprises algebra, data analysis, problem-solving and advanced math. Please note that you are not allowed to use a calculator in this part of the SAT Maths syllabus.
The SAT Maths level 2 syllabus tests your numerical understanding. It comprises subjects such as numbers and operations, algebraic functions, measurements, etc. However, it is important for you to note that the College Board has discontinued the SAT math level 2 exam.
Read About – SAT Exam Papers
What Does the SAT Exam Paper Pattern 2022 Look Like?
Now that you have become familiar with the SAT exam syllabus of 2022, it is time to check the exam paper pattern that can be expected from the SAT in 2022.
SAT Exam Syllabus Paper Pattern 2022
SAT Syllabus Sections | Skills Tested | Number of Questions Asked | Time Allotted | Score Range |
Reading | reading, analyzing, understanding of the text, grammar, sentence interpretation | 52 | 65 minutes | 200-800 |
Writing | proof reading, editing, grammar, sentence construction, vocabulary | 44 | 35 minutes | 200-800 |
Mathematics | mathematical, analytical, logical reasoning, conceptual learning, problem-solving | 58 | 80 minutes | 200-800 |
Total | – | 154 | 3 hours | 400-1600 |
SAT Exam Syllabus Essay (Discontinued)
Before the new changes were put in effect, the SAT exam syllabus had another section along with the current three sections of reading, writing, and mathematics. This section included essay writing. It was considered as an important part of the overall SAT exam syllabus as it truly reflected your writing and thinking skills.
Even though the essay was made optional in the SAT exam syllabus, the College Board permanently discontinued SAT with Essay exam in January 2021.
In this section, you were provided with a passage consisting of approximately 800 words. After reading the text thoroughly, you had to write a detailed analysis of the text based on your understanding and reasoning of the author’s story.
If you had chosen an SAT essay as part of your SAT exam syllabus, then you were given an additional 50 minutes to read the passage and write the analysis of the text.
What is the SAT Exam?
The Scholastic Assessment Test or the SAT is an entrance test conducted by the College Board to assess your acumen and readiness to pursue higher education in college or university. It is a multiple-choice exam in pen-and-paper format for students who wish to study in foreign universities in the U.S.A, UK and Canada for an undergraduate degree.
The SAT exam scores mark a common base of judgment for college administrators, both nationally and internationally, to evaluate you from a fair point of view. Many international universities in the United States of America and Canada check your SAT scores for undergraduate courses as one of the important criteria for admission.
Types of SAT Exams
Earlier, there were 2 types of SAT exams, one general and the other was subject-wise SAT. However, due to recent changes, the College Board has discontinued the subject-wise SAT exam syllabus and continues only with the general SAT exams syllabus.
Nevertheless, here is what the two SAT exam syllabus structure looks like:
SAT General Test
This is the most opted-for SAT exam among candidates in India. The SAT exam syllabus for the general test consists of 3 main subject areas including reading, writing and mathematics.
It tests your ability in terms of understanding of comprehension, writing skills, reading and interpretation of the provided text material along with your mathematical and analytical skills.
SAT Subject-wise Test
Please note that the subject-wise SAT test has been suspended by the College Board.
Instead of taking the general SAT exam, you were also given the opportunity to take up a subject-specific SAT exam in five broad subject categories :
- Mathematics
- Science
- History
- English, and
- Language
Under the umbrella of these five subject categories, you had the option of choosing as many as 20 subjects relevant to your area of study. Colleges and universities used these test scores to evaluate your eligibility to study a particular course.
The Out-of-Syllabus Tip
The SAT syllabus is based on what you have already learned in school over the years. But the questions asked in the SAT tests more than just your knowledge of numbers and grammar. It tests your critical thinking, logical reasoning and analytical skills. Your proficiency in these skills will determine how well you answer the questions in the least time possible.
For example, the evidence-based reading and writing section requires you to read through the passage, analyze the text and interpret the message to provide reasonable answers to the questions.
To perform such an inter-related task, you need to possess good interpretation skills to break the main objective of the passage into different parts.
You cannot excel in such a skill in one day. You require consistent practice to hone your interpretation skills. To help you learn this asset, Callido Learning has created Argument Walls,
a series of practice-interactive videos to develop your interpretation skills based on evidence. Now, you have a platform to not just gain new skills but also practice your critical thinking abilities regularly to ace your SAT exams!
Why wait? Start your assessment !
SAT Exam Syllabus FAQs
What is the full form of the SAT exam?
The SAT stands for Scholastic Assessment Test exam. It was previously known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test.
Does the SAT exam not have physics in its syllabus?
Physics is a part of the syllabus for the SAT Science Subject test exam only. It is not considered a part of the SAT general exam.
Do you have to pass class 12 for the SAT exam?
There is no such age-limit set for taking the SAT exam. However, most students of classes 11 and 12 sit for the SAT exam in India before applying for college.
What are the subjects in the SAT exam?
In the SAT general exam, there are three main subject areas covered in the SAT exam syllabus. These are Reading, Writing and Mathematics.
How much does the SAT exam cost?
Since the SAT is an international exam, its fee varies from one country or region to another. For Indian students, the SAT exam would amount to roughly $100-$104.
This, when converted to the Indian rupee, amounts to Rs. 7,000-8,000 per registration.
Is the SAT exam easy to take?
The SAT is a highly competitive exam for students of all academic levels. If you prepare with a focused study plan, the SATs should seem like an easy exam to take.
How many times can I take the SAT exam?
There is no limit set by the College Board in relation to the number of times you can sit for the SAT exams. However, each time you register for the SATs, you have to pay the registration fee.
When is the next SAT exam in India?
The next set of dates have been scheduled for the SAT exams in India in the year 2022. These are 12th March, 7th May and 4th June 2022.
How to prepare for the SAT exam at home?
The preparation for the SAT exams depends on how well you can manage your time. If you are good at setting your own goals, then you might set up a self-study plan and stick to it for at least 3 months before the date of examination.
Alternatively, you can join online SAT coaching classes to seek guidance and study material for preparing for the SAT.
What is a good score on the SAT exam?
A score of 1200 is generally considered a fairly good score for the SAT examinations. The average score achieved by most students is around 1000. The maximum number any student can score in the SAT exam is a total of 1600.
How long is the SAT exam?
The SATs are quite lengthy, an exam with a duration of 3 hours covering all the three main subject areas of mathematics, reading and writing.
If you are opting for an SAT exam with an essay, then the duration of your test will increase by 50 minutes, making it a total of 3 hours 50 minutes.
Is a passport required for the SAT exam?
All international students, including Indian students, must have a valid passport ID in order to register and sit for the SAT ID.
What are the SAT exam eligibility criteria?
There are no fixed eligibility requirements to take an SAT exam. However, if you are willing to study abroad after 12th for an undergraduate degree you are required to have passed the 12th standard examinations to send in your SAT scores in foreign universities.