SAT Pattern 2024: Check Section-wise SAT Format and Structure

The SAT Digital exam pattern is divided into two main sections of reading + writing and maths sections. All questions tested on SAT 2024 are MCQ based with 11 SPR type questions. The SAT exam is 2 hours and 14 minutes long with a 10 minute break in between. Both sections are divided into two modules, each of them are of the same duration. There have been a couple of changes which have been marked between old SAT exam and new Digital SAT exam. 

As per the new SAT or SAT digital, the SAT exam pattern has changed slightly. The subject tests have been scrapped, essays are no more a part of the SAT exam for international students. The duration of SAT digital has reduced by almost one hour. The total number of questions have also reduced. Candidates are allowed to bring a basic calculator for answering all Math section questions or use the graphic calculator on Bluebook.

Also, the new SAT exam pattern gives the students the benefit of attempting the exam on their own devices, which is a boon for students. This also boosts the applicant's morale. 

Like every exam, SAT also has a pattern. The SAT exam pattern is divided over two sections - Reading & Writing and Maths. Each section is further divided intow two modules, that are timed differently. Questions are mostly MCA based, but some may be required to be written down by the applicants. Each section of SAT is scored between 200-800, the overall minimum is 400 and highest score is 1600. There is no negative marking. But this a timed test, and a computer adaptive test too. 

Yes, the latest SAT digital exam pattern for 2024 testing is definitely beneficial for international students. There are various benefits - SAT exam duration has reduced, there is no need to carry a calculator because it is available on the Bluebook App, calculators can be used for all maths questions, the SAT syllabus has clubbed two sections into one i.e. reading and writing and the most important part is that the exam has gone digital from pencil-paper test. 

Identify your weak areas and if possible also find the reason then you will be able to work on them better. Starting working on your weak areas and also give practice tests timely, so, you won't lose hold on other areas. Also, keep a time-bound approach to get your targeted score. Also, see if you need to change your strategy or study pattern then do it.

Irrespective of the version of SAT exam, the difficulty level is more or less the same. So Digital SAT is not harder or less challenging than the previous SAT exam format. The new SAT online exam has definitely seen positive changes becasue of which it is being considered easier than previous SAT version. Some of the reasons are:

• Timing has reduced for SAT Digital by 46 minutes.
• There are no different Reading and Writing tests, it is a combined section.
• Use of calculators is permitted for all Maths questions.
• Since SAT has gone digital, SAT online exam is now comouter adaptive, which was impossible previously on pen-paper format.

Thus, these are some of the key takeaways which make SAT Digital slightly easier than previous version of the SAT exam. 

SAT exam's scoring pattern is slightly new and each section on SAT is scored equally that is, between 200-800. Where 400 is the minimum score on SAT and the highest is 1600. SAT sections are scored separately but the score report will have an overall analysis along with the sectional-score analysis for applicants and colleges to assess SAT exam performance. 

The overall number of questions on SAT are 98 questions. The questions are divided section wise and they are as follows:

• SAT Section 1 - Reading & Writing has 54 questions
  • Module 1 has 27 questions and Module 2 also has 27 questions
• SAT Section 2 - Mathematics has 44 questions
  • Module 1 has 22 questions and Module 2 also has 22 questions

All these questions are timed and each module has a set time limit, section 1 is for 64 minutes and section 2 is for 70 minutes. 

The level of ease of the new SAT pattern solely depends on the applicant's preparation for the exam. The new SAT exam pattern has its pros like its shorter in duration, its now digital, the time for answering questions on SAT is 68% higher than on ACT, the reading and writing section is now one section and calculators can be used for all math questions on SAT. The ease is definitely for giving the exam but the syllabus and prep tips remain constant.

No, subject tests are no longer functional hence, there are no subject-related tests on SAT anymore. But yes, there are subject specific sections like English and Mathematics which are tested on the SAT exam. The SAT exam pattern doesn't directly have Science subject topics, but its tested in the reading and writing section of the SAT.

The changes in SAT pattern come officially from College Board, which administers the exam officially across the globe at its partner centres. SAT exam pattern changes are usually not very frequent, hence if there is any change that comes up, there will be an official notification for the same. For now the proposed SAT pattern is final and there is no intimation for any changes. 

There is a big difference between new and old SAT exam pattern. First of all the new SAT exam is called as SAT Digital because it has digitalised and is no more tested offline. Secondly, the SAT Digital exam pattern has changed and it has become even easier for students to attempt the exam. The other rules for registration have remained the same. Check out the difference below between SAT exam and SAT Digital exam.

SAT Exam (Old)

The old SAT pattern consisted of three sections and an optional writing section as well. The exam duration on the old SAT pattern was longer, around 3+ hours and the additional time for the writing section. The old SAT was paper-pencil based and included different reading and writing sections. The math section on old SAT included a calculator section and a non-calculator section.

SAT Digital Exam (New)

While in the new SAT pattern the exam has gone digital and the duration has decreased by an hour plus no optional writing section is available. There are just two sections, reading and writing are now one section, math is the second section. The math section allows students to use calculator for both modules. The questions have become shorter and the students can answer 30% faster than other exams tested on a similar pattern. 

In SAT Digital exam, the test-takers get points for every correct answer whereas there are no points taken for incorrect answers. So, you should attempt maximum questions in SAT. Since there is no negative marking for incorrect answers or for leaving questions unanswered in their final SAT score report, the students should take benefit of the situation and answer all questions. The time of SAT has reduced hence, caution must be exercised while answering the SAT exam questions.

An applicant's total score is between 400 and 1600. The total SAT score is the sum of the two section scores: Reading & Writing, and Maths. Both of these sections can accommodate a possible score range of 200 – 800. The Reading & Writing score is composed of the Reading Test plus the Language Test, and each which collectively contributes to a sectional SAT score. The SAT Math section score is made up of the Math questions' answers only. Thus, no SAT section score can go beyond 800 because the questions are marked in a pre-defined manner. Thus, applicants can score overall on 1600 scale.  

Yes, SAT exam pattern differs from ACT exam pattern in a big way. Check out below how SAT pattern differs from ACT pattern:

• ACT consistes of four sections, while SAT consists of only two sections.
• There is no optional essay section in SAT exam, it has been discontinued. Students can still opt for the optional writing section on ACT.
• SAT is scored on a range of 400-1600 while ACT is scored on 1-36 score range.
• ACT has a separate Science section, whereas SAT doesn't test Science subject separately but in its reading section. 

In the earlier version candidates lose marks for every wrong answer, whereas, as per the latest SAT digital exam pattern 2024, there is no negative marking. So, you should try to answer as many questions as you can. There will be no penalty for marking wrong answers or for guessing answers. Thus, the new SAT exam pattern has this benefit of no negative marking or penalising students for not attempting a question. This policy was not there before also and hence, College Board continues to take its policies further by not making any major changes in the already existing rules. 

SAT includes a various set of questions from very easy to very difficult. Easy questions are usually answered correctly by 90% of the students while hard questions are answered correctly by less than 30 % of students. To know whether SAT is difficult or not one must learn the SAT exam pattern. So, if you like reading and more into words then the Reading section will be smooth for you. Similarly, you need to understand the complete pattern and see whether it is difficult for you or not. Whichever section of SAT is difficult for the applicants, they can go ahead and prepare for it first. 

Check about: New SAT Format: Difference Between Old and New SAT Format