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Home / SAT Exam / SAT Test Sections

SAT Sections: Know What’s on the Test in 2025

Last Updated on Jun 17, 2025

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The SAT is a standardized test used for college admissions throughout the world. As of March 2024, the SAT has transitioned entirely to a Digital Format, offering a more streamlined and adaptive testing experience. The total test duration is 2 hours and 14 minutes, making it significantly shorter than the previous version. The SAT Exam consists of two main sections:

  • Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW): 64 minutes
  • Math: 70 minutes

One of the key advantages of the Digital SAT Examination is that it provides approximately 68% more time per question compared to the ACT Examination, allowing for a less rushed testing experience. The test is also adaptive, meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts based on the test-taker's performance. Read on to explore how many questions are on the SAT, how is each SAT test section scored, what is adaptive testing, and a detailed breakdown of each sat section.

How Many Sections Are on the SAT?

There are two sections in the Digital SAT Examination i.e. Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Maths. The Digital SAT is among the most prominent college entrance tests in the United States of America comprising these two major sections. Each section is divided into 2 equal length modules and there is a 10-minute break between the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math Sections. The first module of each section contains a broad mix of Easy, Medium, and Hard Questions. The second module of questions will be either more difficult or less difficult based on how students perform on the first module. 

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) Section

  • EBRW Section is divided into two 32-minute modules, with a combined duration of 64 minutes and 54 multiple-choice questions. 
  • EBRW Section uses passages or pairs of texts to assess a variety of language and comprehension skills. One key area is Craft and Structure, where students study methodologies and organizational choices made by authors. 
  • The other crucial area is Information and Ideas which tests the reader to understand major ideas and details in the book, whereas the Expression of Ideas area calculates the effectiveness and clarity of writing.
  • Standard English Conventions focuses on Grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure helping students refine their command of written English.

Math Section

  • The purpose of Math Section is to evaluate critical math abilities in a variety of subject areas.
  • The two 35-minute sections that make up the Digital SAT's Mathematics component comprise 70 minutes and forty-four questions. 
  • It covers Algebra I and II with an emphasis on functions, equations, and inequalities—all of which are crucial for resolving issues in the real world.
  • Measures of spatial reasoning and knowledge are also applied to geometry topics, such as coordinate geometry, angles, and shape attributes. 
  • The section also covers some trigonometry, touching on the fundamental trigonometric functions and their graphs, which lays the groundwork for more complex mathematical ideas.
SAT Adaptive Testing Flow – EBRW & Math
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW)
Module 1 (Easy + Medium + Hard)
 
Module 2 (Difficulty Based on Module 1 Performance)
Math Section
Module 1 (Easy + Medium + Hard)
 
Module 2 (Difficulty Based on Module 1 Performance)

How Many Questions Are on the SAT?

There are total 98 questions in the digital SAT divided between the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section having two modules of 27 questions each and the Math section having two modules of 22 questions each. Sections are organized in a particular way to measure college readiness through reasoning, problem-solving, and an understanding of core concepts in those areas. The test follows a module-based adaptive format, where performance in the first module of each section determines the difficulty of the second. This approach ensures a more personalized assessment experience.

Note: The SAT Essay has been discontinued for most students. It is no longer part of the Digital SAT. A few states may still offer it as part of SAT School Day programs, but this is increasingly rare. Students should check with their schools or state policies to confirm if the essay is applicable. Here's an official list of all states that require the optional essay with their SAT School Day administrations:

  • Delaware
  • Oklahoma
  • Illinois
  • New Hampshire
  • Michigan
  • Colorado

How is Each SAT Test Section Scored? 

The SAT scoring algorithm has evolved to become adaptive, offering a more detailed breakdown of student scores. A table is used to convert raw scores into scale scores (ranging from 200 to 800 for each section).

According to the College Board SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report for the SAT exam 2024 shows that there are around 8% students (149,505) who scored between 700-800 in the EBRW Section and 9% students (175,440) who scored between 700-800 in the Math Section. This means only 7% students (142,239) scored the highest on SAT. 

  • Out of these 7% females and 8% males scored between 700-800 in the SAT EBRW section. 
  • Apart from this, 7% females and 11% males scored between 700-800 (35-40) in the SAT Math section.
  • The Average SAT Score for ERW Section is 519 and for the Math Section is 505 for the Class of 2024.

SAT Score Distribution (700–800)

100% 75% 50% 25% 0%
EBRW: 8% (149,505 students)
Math: 9% (175,440 students)
Overall: 7% (142,239 students)
EBRW
Math
Overall

Adaptive SAT Testing 

Perhaps the biggest difference is that the new digital format of the SAT is adaptive. What does that mean? The better you do, the harder the second module in that portion gets. Consequently, each portion is divided. 

  • Put simply, it indicates that the questions you see will be determined by your test-taking performance. 
  • Assume that one does well in the first Reading and Writing module. On your second module, one would find more challenging problems rather than an equal distribution of easy, medium, and hard difficult questions. 
  • However, if one does appallingly on the first Math subject, then the majority of questions in your second math module would be easier.

Some aspirants also think that the level of difficult questions in the math section depends on your performance in the reading and writing part. But this is not true! The two sections are handled extremely differently! Your performance on the first module in a section determines only the second module in that part.

SAT Section

Content on Module 1

Content on Module 2

Section 1: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW)

Students are given a broad mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. 

Students are given a targeted mix of questions of varying difficulties based on their performance in Module 1.

Section 2: Math Section

Students are given a broad mix of easy, medium, and hard questions.

Students are given a targeted mix of questions of varying difficulties based on their performance in Module 1.

Conclusion

Thus, Each section measures the important skills in comprehension, grammar, algebra, and geometry, thus preparing you for what's on the other side. The SAT is scored on a total scale of 400-1600 points; hence, it covers you in major respects with one inclusive rating. Whether test scores are reported for your targeted schools, the schools have gone test-optional, or just to build a stronger college application and augment more favorable academic opportunities, performing well on the exam really depends on preparing for both sections to achieve the score you want.

Latest SAT Exam Updates

Last updated on Jun 17, 2025

-> The next SAT 2025 Exam is going to be held on June 7, 2025. The Regular Registration Deadline for the same has ended on May 22, 2025 and the late registration deadline ended May 27, 2025. 

-> According to the SAT Exam Schedule, the next fall semester SAT after the June exam is on August 23, 2025.

-> Top US Universities use SAT Scores to measure a student’s preparedness for college-level studies in a consistent and standardized way.

-> The candidates can attempt the SAT Practice Tests by Testbook that offers a suite of solutions for high schoolers who want to improve their SAT score above 1400.

SAT Sections FAQs

The Reading and Writing and Math parts make up the two main components of the SAT. Your final result is derived from both portions, each of which is assigned a value between 200 and 800.

There are total 98 questions in the digital SAT divided between the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section having two modules of 27 questions each and the Math section having two modules of 22 questions each. 

A variety of subjects are covered in the SAT Math portion, such as Geometry, Algebra I and II, some trigonometry, and Problem Solving & Data Analysis. Over the course of two 35-minute lessons, there are 44 questions.

You can utilize the on-screen calculator provided by the Digital SAT for every question in the Math section.