New SAT

The New SAT is a standardized test that assesses high school students' readiness for college, focusing on critical reading, writing, and math skills.

SAT Structure and ScoringCritical Reading SkillsMath Concepts and Problem Solving
Evidence-Based Writing and LanguageAdvanced Math: Functions and Problem TypesData Analysis and Interpretation
Applying SAT Skills to Everyday LifeSAT Preparation and Practice ToolsTime Management and Test Day Logistics
Answer Elimination and GuessingPacing and Section ManagementReading the Questions First
SAT Structure and Sc...Critical Reading Ski...Math Concepts and Pr...Evidence-Based Writi...Advanced Math: Funct...Data Analysis and In...Applying SAT Skills ...SAT Preparation and ...Time Management and ...Answer Elimination a...Pacing and Section M...Reading the Question...
Basic Concepts

SAT Structure and Scoring

Understanding the New SAT

The New SAT is divided into two main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math. Each section is designed to evaluate different academic skills necessary for success in college.

What’s Inside Each Section?

  • Evidence-Based Reading: Tests your ability to understand and analyze written passages.
  • Writing and Language: Focuses on grammar, usage, and effective language skills.
  • Math: Covers problem-solving, algebra, data analysis, and some advanced math topics.
  • Optional Essay: Some schools require it, but it’s not always necessary.

How is the SAT Scored?

Each section (Reading & Writing, Math) is scored on a scale of 200–800, making the total score range from 400 to 1600. There's no penalty for wrong answers, so always give your best guess!

Real-World Application

Colleges use your SAT score as part of the admissions process to assess your academic strengths and readiness for college-level work.

Examples

  • A student scores 650 in Math and 700 in Reading & Writing, making a total SAT score of 1350.

  • A test with 52 Reading questions, 44 Writing & Language questions, and 58 Math questions.

In a Nutshell

Learn how the SAT is organized and how your performance is measured.

Key Terms

Section
A part of the SAT focusing on specific skills, like Math or Reading.
Score
The number reflecting your performance in each SAT section.
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Critical Reading Skills