SAT General test syllabus | A comprehensive guide!

SAT General test syllabus | What is the SAT?

The Scholastic Assessment Test, or SAT, is a standardized test for most US colleges’ admissions. About 3 million high school students in the United States take the SAT each year to get entry into college. Candidates need to be well-versed in the SAT exam content and question paper subjects. The exam is divided into three parts- reading, writing, and math. The new SAT General test syllabus eliminates the SAT subject tests and optional essays, cutting the test time by 50 minutes. There is just a 3-hour time limit on the test currently. Before studying for the test, you must thoroughly grasp the SAT General test syllabus.

SAT exam overview

Conducted by	College Board for International Candidates
Duration	3 Hours
Exam type	For Undergraduates
Language	English
Sections	Reading, Writing, Maths
Number of questions	154
Mode of exam	Pen-paper
Marks range	400-1600
Negative marking	No

Comprehensive SAT General test syllabus

The SAT is a standardized exam used by undergraduate schools to assess your linguistic, numeric, and critical thinking abilities. The exam evaluates your general preparedness and capacity to tackle elementary linguistic and numeric difficulties.

Reading section

There are 52 multiple-choice questions based on five reading passages, and the portion takes up to 65 minutes. Each section in the series or on its own is between 500 and 750 words. You score between 200 and 800 on this test section based on how well you perform in English. In addition, you need to articulate detailed thoughts clearly and correctly in standard English.

You must study and comprehend the ideas, determine the author’s goals, and provide insightful commentary. The informational images, such as tables and charts, are included in the matched passages. Therefore, three different sorts of inquiries (factual, rhetorical, and synthetic) aim to improve your grasp of the passages in the issue.

You will be asked to develop linkages between the concepts in the text or draw inferences from the extra visuals and information in the synthetic questions. In contrast, the factual questions will have a direct or indirect reference from the core concept of the passage. The following is a breakdown of what will be covered during the Reading portion of the SAT exam–

1. One paragraph from a book on social science (such as sociology, psychology, economics, etc.)
2. A couple of lines from the Great Global Conversation or an early American document like the Constitution. Works from worldwide, such as a lecture by Nelson Mandela, are included in the Great Global Conversation. These works explore themes like human dignity, justice, and freedom.
3. A single paragraph from a book.
4. Two readings from the scientific literature that explore seminal ideas and significant scientific advances in the fields of biology, earth science, physics, or chemistry

Writing section

In all, you’ll have 35 minutes to complete the Writing section. The test consists of 44 multiple-choice questions based on one of four texts. This section evaluates your ability to identify and correct problems in the text’s main body. It necessitates an excellent command of the English language, including grammar, spelling, and sentence composition.

You can expect to read narrative, argumentative, instructive, and explanatory texts in this area. Additionally, you are required to spot graphical data, provide evidence for your claims, and supplement irrelevant material to strengthen your case. Each of the four chapters is between 400 and 450 words long, and while some are more difficult than others, all of them need some degree of reading comprehension.

The sections cover various subjects, from the hard sciences to the arts to history and social studies. Each section has a unique structure and function, as indicated below-

1. There is at least one story-like account in the Writing sample. It is used to explain how a scientific experiment was conducted. It is not a quote from a work of fiction, but it may accurately recount a real-life incident.
2. The rest of the readings ask you to provide information, an explanation, or make an argument to persuade the reader.

Mathematics section

This exam segment is 80 minutes long and consists of 58 questions, testing your ability to reason mathematically. The 45 multiple-choice questions in the test have a possible score distribution from 200 to 800. After finishing the problems, you will go on to a set of 13 grid-in questions, requiring you to indicate the correct response by circling a set of numbers.

There are 15 multiple-choice questions and 5 grid-ins on the “no calculator” portion of the SAT Math test, and 30 multiple-choice questions and 8 grid-ins on the “calculator” portion. Ahead of answering this portion, you will have access to formulae for reference.

Key takeaways

• General SAT is by far the most prevalent option and the one that is typically used as the de facto norm for entry into undergraduate programs.
• Reading, Writing, and Math are the three parts of the SAT General test syllabus. The SAT College Board has recently removed the essay writing portion and SAT subject tests.
• The exam will last for three hours (no breaks included). A 10-minute and a 5-minute break are provided during the exam.

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Like this blog? Read next – How to study smart for exams.

FAQ

Q1. What is the curriculum for the SAT exam for engineering students?

Answer- There is no different SAT exam syllabus for individuals studying engineering. Students applying to any course in the USA must take the SAT according to the same general syllabus.

Q2. How should I study for the SAT?

Answer- The easiest way to prepare for the SAT exam is to start early and familiarize yourself with the test format.

Q3. Is the SAT score recognized in India?

Answer- Yes, The SAT score is accepted in India. 35 Indian colleges recognize it for admission to the programs they provide.