Study Hall Blog

What’s on the Digital SAT? A Quick Guide

Written by

Chandler Waggoner

in

 

 

The digital SAT has two sections: Reading & Writing and Math.
Here’s what your teen is up against.

 

Reading & Writing: 54 questions in 64 minutes

Short, single-paragraph passages with one question each. Module 1 is the same for everyone. Module 2 adapts based on Module 1 performance.

Domain % of Test Questions What It Tests
Information & Ideas ~26% 12–14 Main ideas, evidence, inferences
Craft & Structure ~28% 13–15 Vocabulary in context, text purpose, tone
Expression of Ideas ~20% 8–12 Transitions and rhetorical synthesis
Standard English Conventions ~26% 11–15 Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure

 

Vocabulary and grammar make up nearly 40% of the Reading & Writing section. Both are trainable with daily practice.

Math: 44 questions in 70 minutes

95 seconds per question — about 40% more time per question than the ACT. A built-in Desmos graphing calculator is available for all questions.

Domain % of Test Questions Topics Covered
Algebra 35% 13–15 Linear equations, inequalities, systems
Advanced Math 35% 13–15 Quadratic, exponential, polynomial functions
Problem Solving & Data 15% 5–7 Ratios, percentages, probability, statistics
Geometry & Trig 15% 5–7 Angles, triangles, circles, area, volume

Approximately 70% of SAT Math comes from algebra and advanced math. The reference sheet only covers geometry formulas — algebra, statistics, and trig formulas must be memorized.

How the test is scored

Each section is scored 200–800. Total score range: 400–1600. There is no penalty for wrong answers — always answer every question.

The test is adaptive by module: Module 1 performance determines whether your teen gets a harder or easier Module 2. If you don’t perform well on Module 1, and are given Module 2 Easy, your score is capped at around 1300.

 

Try a full-length adaptive practice test at collegecopilot.me.

 

More posts