SAT Pattern

The redesigned SAT test has given a high priority to content which is more in sync with what the students will encounter in college and their professional lives.

The much feared SAT Vocabulary words have been heavily diluted. Instead of the archaic words, the new SAT is more aligned with terms and language which is frequently used in college courses.

With the Test broadly divided into two major sections, viz., (a) Evidence Based Reading and Writing and (b) Math, the Essay section has now become optional.

Moreover, the Evidence Based Reading and Writing is further sub-divided into (i) Reading Section and (ii) Writing and Language Section.

For more information you can visit the official website( www.collegeboard.org)

The table below encapsulates the current SAT Format

Component Time Allotted Number of Questions Reading 65 minutes /(1 hour 5 minutes) 52 Writing & Language 35 minutes 44 Math 80 minutes / (1 hour 20 minutes) 58 Essay (optional) 50 Minutes 1 Total 3 hours (without Essay)

3 hours 50 minutes (with Essay)

The Reading passages will contain excerpts from either US "founding documents" or a text from the "ongoing Great Global Conversation” which pertains to freedom, justice, and human dignity. SAT has also expanded the scope from which the passages are taken from a broad range of disciplines in science and social studies.

All multiple-choice questions have four answer choices, one of which is correct. The questions of each section of the same type are generally ordered by difficulty. However, an important exception exists: Questions that follow the long and short reading passages are organized chronologically, rather than by difficulty.

The Math section has shifted its focus to three main areas viz., (a) Heart of Algebra, (b) Problem Solving & Data Analysis and (c) Passport to Advanced Math. With two sections devoted to Math, one section allows the usage of calculators. In the other section, calculators are not permitted. As required, all the Geometry questions are preceded by a figure to refer to. All Grid-in questions are required to be marked in the special grid-in area of the answer sheet

The Essay section has undergone the maximum change. Gone are the days of receiving an open-ended prompt. The new avatar of SAT expects its test-takers to read a passage before analyzing it in the form of an essay. As mentioned earlier, Essay has become an optional portion of the exam, though highly recommended.

Please note that almost all undergraduate programmes in the US require applicants to furnish the SAT score while some may require scores on SAT Subject tests or a separate Essay score too.