The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) exam is held to select students from all over the world for admission to the most prestigious universities in the USA, UK, Canada, and other places. Almost 1.7 million candidates appear in the cutthroat competition.
The SAT exam is computer-based and assesses students’ abilities in Math and English. To ease the time pressure on students, the new version of this entrance, the Digital SAT 2024, has increased the timing by 43% per question. This will allow students to answer the problems accurately. The SAT exam pattern is short and has been changed.
The pattern is generally based on the Math and English syllabus students have covered in high school. Even though the syllabus is simple, candidates need to analyze each section and its question types to achieve a high score.
Highlights of SAT Exam 2024
| Exam Name | Scholastic Assessment Test |
| Conducted By | College Board for International Candidates |
| Universities | USA, Canada, UK, Singapore, Netherlands, Australia & New Zealand. |
| Test Type | Entrance exam for admission to Bachelor’s Courses |
| Sections | 2 (Reading and Writing, and Math) |
| Number of Questions | 98 Questions |
| Duration | 134 Minutes |
| Score Range | 400 – 1600 |
| Language | English |
| Mode of Test | Computer-based |
| Negative Marking | No, but multistage adaptive |
SAT Syllabus
The SAT syllabus comprises basic language and quantitative syllabus of high school education level. The test syllabus is categorized into two sections:
- Critical Reading & Writing
- Mathematics
These sections collectively help evaluate the candidate’s overall aptitude and reasoning skills. Previously, the reading and writing sections in the entrance test were considered separate, but now they are included in one section. Apart from this, there is no specific syllabus for the paper. The candidate will find passages in the reading and writing section related to science subjects.
SAT Exam Syllabus 2024 Digital Reading and Writing Section
The reading and writing section tests students’ language abilities and writing skills. This section is for Evidence-based reading that consists of short reading passages between 25 to 250 words after which a single MCQ is asked. This section is divided into two modules, consisting of:
- 25 Operational Problems
- 2 Pre-Test Problems
Read the passage and answer the question by making an argument, telling a story, or explaining the study or an experiment.
This section is MCQ-based. Students have to read the passage, understand its outlook and meaning, and answer it accordingly. Collectively, both sections consist of 64 minutes of time duration, 32 minutes for each module, and 54 questions overall. The digital reading feature gives the students the advantage of switching between the questions back and forth within a single module.
Overview Of The SAT Syllabus: Reading and Writing Section
| Factors | Guidelines |
| Timing | 64 minutes, 32 minutes per module |
| Overall passage | 54 questions with 25 operational questions and 2 pre-test questions on each module |
| Reading Organization | 1. Craft and structure
A. Words in Context B. Text Structure and Purpose C. Cross-Text Connections 2. Information and Ideas A. Central Ideas and Details B. Command of Evidence (Textual or Quantitative) C. Inferences |
| Question Organization | The level of difficulty increases with each question |
| Writing/English Organization | 1. Standard English Conventions A. Boundaries B. Form, Structure, and Sense2. Expression of Ideas A. Rhetorical Synthesis B. Transitions |
SAT Exam Pattern Reading Section
Through the writing section, students’ ability is assessed based on how well they interpret, synthesize, and use evidence for answering various problems related to Literature, History, Social Studies, Humanities, and Science. In addition to questions about the texts, the candidates need to interpret accompanying tables, charts, and graphs.
Here is the general breakdown of areas the reading section covers:
- Craft & Structure (28%): Candidates need to thoroughly go through the passage and carefully analyze the hidden meaning and agenda of the text to answer correctly. Students have to consistently practice and measure their performance while keeping time as the main measuring factor. This will improve their reading skills and performance.
- Information & Ideas (26%): For information-based problems, the candidate needs to analyze the paragraph, extract information, interpret data and graphics, and evaluate arguments.
- Standard English Conventions (26%): This segment evaluates the candidate’s proficiency in understanding the meaning of uncommon and rare words from passages. To crack these language-based questions, candidates need to learn the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context provided.
Detailed Breakdown of Writing Section
To ace the writing section, candidates need to focus on the following areas:
- Command of Evidence
- Words in Context
- Expression of Ideas
- Standard English Conventions
The writing-based queries are designed to evaluate the candidate’s knowledge of grammar and punctuation and effective use of the English language.
While grasping the fundamental rules and concepts of basic grammar should be enough for qualifying this section, some concepts and rules hold the most significance:
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Application of Pronouns
- Parallelism and Modifiers
- Punctuation
- Linking of Phrases and Clauses
SAT Syllabus: Math Section
This unit assesses candidates’ problem-solving skills and their ability to quickly understand and solve issues. It includes two timed modules:
- First Module: 20 Operational Questions + 2 Pretest Questions
- Second Module: 20 Operational Questions + 2 Pretest Questions
The total time provided to complete this section is 70 minutes in which students need to complete 44 questions. The candidates are allowed to shuffle between the questions in the modules.
Most of the questions in the Math Unit can be covered by studying and understanding the concepts of 6th to 10th-grade Mathematics. Basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics, and basic trigonometry are mandatory to clear the exam. Candidates need to study Quadratic functions, Exponential functions, geometric functions, and Trigonometric concepts to ace the Advanced Math part.
Candidates need to thoroughly analyze each question before answering it. They must understand the hidden concept behind the question and use it to crack the answer without being pressured by the limited time. Therefore, careful reading and a proper approach can help you through the question.
Some questions’ language might be complicated and twisted to increase the difficulty level to probe students’ attention spans. Conversely, some MCQ options may be placed confusingly on purpose. Being attentive during the Math queries is necessary, or you might make a silly calculation mistake.
Quick Overview of the SAT Math Syllabus
| Factors | Guidelines |
| Timing | 70 minutes, evenly divided between 2 sections. |
| Passage Format | 44 Questions with a passage of 25-150 words for each question. |
| Syllabus Breakdown | 1. Algebra
2. Advanced Math 3. Problem-solving and Data Analysis 4. Geometry and Trigonometry |
| Question Organization | The level of difficulty increases with each question |
| Calculator Use | An approved calculator or built-in graphing calculator is permitted. |
SAT Exam Pattern Mathematics Section
The following table provides an estimated weightage of each concept based on the recent exam trends over the past years. However, remember that the weightage is based on an analysis of the exam pattern so far and is liable to change.
| Main Concepts | Syllabus Breakdown | Weightage | Questions |
| Algebra | 1. Linear equations in two variables
2. Linear equations in one variable 3. Systems of two linear equations in two variables 4. Linear functions
5. Linear inequalities in one or two variables. |
35% | 13-15 |
| Problem Solving and Data Analysis | 1. Ratios, Rates, proportional relationships, Units
2. Percentage
3. One-variable data
4. Two-variable data: models and scatter plots
5. Probability and conditional probability
6. Observational studies and experiments |
15% | 5-7 |
| Advanced Math | 1. Equivalent expressions
2. Nonlinear equations in one variable
3. Systems of equations in two variables
4. Nonlinear functions |
35% | 13-15 |
| Geometry and Trigonometry | 1. Area and volume formulae
2. Lines, angles, and triangles
3. Right triangles and trigonometry
4. Circles |
15% | 5-7 |
SAT Exam Fees
The Scholastic Assessment Test is among India’s most expensive university exams, particularly due to the inclusion of non-US regional fees. Here is the complete breakdown of the registration fee:
| Fee Breakdown | Fee in Dollars | Fee in Rupees (Approx.) |
| Registration Fee | $68 | INR 5,718 |
| Non-US Regional Fee | $43 | INR 3,616 |
| Sales Tax | $19.98 | INR 1,680 |
| TOTAL: | $130.98 | INR 11,016 |
Bottom Line
While the syllabus for the SAT exam is not well defined by the College Board for International Candidates, you can ace the exam by sticking to the high school-level concepts of the English language and Mathematics. By knowing the exam pattern and weightage of the type of questions, not only can you ace the exam but also land the University of your choice.
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