SAT

The SAT, officially called the Scholastic Assessment Test, is a widely recognized college entrance exam. It’s designed to assess high school students’ critical thinking and academic abilities, and is often a key part of the admissions process for colleges in the U.S. and beyond.

Format and sections:
The SAT is a paper-based test that takes about three hours to complete (a bit longer if you were to include the now mostly optional essay). It’s divided into three main parts: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math.

• Reading:
  This section has 52 multiple-choice questions you’ll need to answer in 65 minutes. It focuses on reading comprehension, with passages taken from literature, historical documents, social sciences, and natural sciences.

• Writing and Language:
  You’ll get 44 multiple-choice questions to complete in 35 minutes. This part tests your understanding of grammar, punctuation, and how to revise and improve written passages.

• Math:
  The math section is split into two parts—one where you can’t use a calculator (20 questions in 25 minutes) and another where you can (38 questions in 55 minutes). It covers topics like algebra, problem-solving, data analysis, and a bit of advanced math.

Scoring:
Your total SAT score ranges from 400 to 1600, combining two main scores: 200-800 for Math, and 200-800 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (which includes both reading and writing sections).

Note on the Essay:
The SAT Essay was once a common part of the test, but most colleges no longer require it, and the College Board has phased it out in many locations.