How Many Questions Are On The SAT?

Students think that the SAT is quite lengthy, and it lasts for ages. However, practically, the exam’s duration is three hours, and in these three hours, you deal with a variety of questions. 

The three hours include a ten-minute break and one 5-minute break. Note that the allocated time for the optional Essay is 50 minutes, which indicates that altogether the SAT takes almost four hours.

The SAT comprises a 65-minute reading test with 52 multiple-choice questions. The other part features writing and language test with 35-minute duration, and these sections consist of 44 MCQs.

Read More: How to Write the SAT Essay?

The duration for Math Test is 80-minutes, and it comprises 58 questions. Among the Math questions, 45 are MCQs, and the remaining 13 are Non-MCQs, and students need to solve them through the appropriate method.

Time management is the key to taking the SAT exam. If you manage time properly, you will be able to get a high score. Do not think that the time is not enough for the SAT exam. You need to practice in a way that you complete the exam within the given time.

Without the optional SAT Essay section, the SAT comprises three parts: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math.

Optional SAT Essay

Purpose of the optional SAT essay is to evaluate your reading, analytical and writing skills. The section ranges from minimum 2 points to a maximum of 8 points. The scores of the SAT essay count separately from the total SAT score, which starts from 400 and goes up to the maximum 1600.

Read More: When Do SAT Scores Come Out?

Several colleges do not require the SAT essay. Therefore, students need to keep this thing in view before appearing for the SAT exam. The students who possess outstanding reading and analytical skills, they go for the SAT essay.

Time Management for the SAT

Ideally, you should have an idea as to how much time to spend on each question. This is an essential part of the test strategy. If you divide the allocated time by the number of questions, you have 1 minute and 10 seconds for each question. Remember, some questions in the SAT are not straightforward and require more time.

Plan Carefully

If you plan your test carefully, you can complete your Test on-time even by spending slightly more time on the complex questions. Try to spend less than average time on the question that you think is less complicated and you can quickly answer them.

Once you complete a relatively easy question, then approach the hard ones that may require additional time. As you have already responded to the less complicated questions, you will deal with the complex questions with confidence.

Read More: How to Get SAT Scores?

You have to be good at categorizing the questions based on their difficulty level because you are dealing with several questions. You cannot afford to spend much time on each question. Some students make a mistake by spending too much time at the start of the complex question.

When they do so, they do not have enough time for the following questions. Also, spending extra time early on mounts pressure. When students realize they are running short of time for the remaining questions, they make mistakes in answering relatively more comfortable questions in a rush. Under such circumstances, students are left with the option of guessing the answers.

It is not an ideal scenario. You cannot rely on guesswork. If you are lucky, you may get a few answers right. But, you cannot expect to achieve high scores solely based on guesswork. If you are running out of time, and you realize that still there are many questions that you need to answer, do not panic. Keep calm and do not lose your focus.

Practice As Much As You Can

If you are planning to appear for the SAT exam, you should keep in mind your natural pace. If you think you are not too quick, do not worry and keep practising. Practice will enable you to gain more speed and momentum. When you solve a question, make a note of the time how much it took you to answer the question.

Consider the Checklist

 Keep in view the things that you cannot take with you on the test day. The management does not allow students to use smartwatches in the test centre. For complete details, check the official web page. You should follow the College Board advice about the things that you can bring.

Read More: How to Get SAT Scores?

They also give you information on what to expect on Test Day. For students, the test centre opens at 7:45 am, and officially the test starts between 8:30 and 9:00 am. By 12’0 clock, students complete their tests and come out of the centre. Those who attempt the optional SAT Essay, they are done by 1 pm.

How to Get Ready for the SAT Exam

Apart from time management tactics for the SAT exam, other factors are also important. Remember, lack of sleep won’t help you during the test. Consequently, you may not be able to focus on the questions. You need to reach the test centre with a fresh mind.

Another aspect that may affect your performance is hunger. Some students do not feel like eating anything before appearing for the test, and this is not the right thing to do. You can keep snacks with you so that you could enjoy that during the break.

Read More: How to Prepare for the SAT Test?

You need energy and a certain level of glucose to remain fresh and active throughout the test. You must keep your stress level down. Some students have fear about the trial, which may cause low performance. A handful of students use mediation and practice yoga to calm their nerves.

Final Word

The SAT exam consists of three sections: Reading, Writing and Language and Math. Also, there is an optional section: the SAT Essay. The reading section has 52 MCQs, and the time is 65-minutes.

Writing and Language Part has 44 MCQs, and the duration is 35 minute. The math section has 58 questions in total; 45 are MCQs, and 13 are non-MCQs, the duration is 80 minutes. Duration for the optional SAT essay is 50 minutes; it is the test for reading, writing and analytical skills.