Manhattan Review SAT Prep – SAT Sections

Overview and Format

The 2025 SAT is, broadly speaking, an evaluation of verbal skills and of mathematical ability, but it is important for students to understand how the test is structured. The macro-level organizational scheme of the SAT includes what the College Board refers to as "sections" and "tests." The SAT is divided into two large sections that are called " Reading and Writing" and "Math." Each of these sections is scored from 200 to 800, for a total score of 400-1600. Students have 64 minutes to answer 54 Reading and Writing questions and 70 minutes to complete 44 Math questions. The entire SAT contains 98 questions and takes 2 hours and 14 minutes to complete, not including one 10-minute break.

The SAT is a computer adaptive test, which means the questions you receive as you proceed through the exam depend on the questions you answer correctly. Due to its computer adaptive nature, each section is broken into two modules. If a student performs well on their first Reading and Writing or Math module, they will receive more challenging questions on their second module. If, however, they struggle on their first module, they will receive less challenging questions on their second module. Test-takers are given 32 minutes for each Reading and Writing module (for a total of 64 minutes) and 35 minutes for each Math module (for a total of 70 minutes). Each Reading and Writing module contains 27 questions (for a total of 54 questions) and each Math module contains 22 questions (for a total of 44 questions). 

SAT Reading and Writing Test

The SAT Reading and Writing Test consists of short reading passages or passage pairs that are followed by a single multiple-choice question. Questions on this section represent one of four content domains:

1. Craft and Structure
2. Information and Ideas
3. Standard English Conventions
4. Expression of Ideas

Craft and Structure questions measure the comprehension, vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, reasoning skills, and knowledge needed to understand and utilize high-utility words and phrases in context, as well as evaluate texts rhetorically and establish connections between texts related by topic.

Information and Ideas questions measure comprehension, analysis, and reasoning knowledge and skills, as well as the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, and integrate information and ideas from texts, tables, bar graphs, and line graphs.

Standard English Convention questions measure the ability to edit text to ensure it conforms to core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.

Expression of Ideas questions measure the ability to revise texts to improve the effectiveness of written expression and meet specific rhetorical goals.

According to the College Board, in order to assist students with managing their time, questions that assess similar skills and knowledge are grouped together and arranged in order from easiest to hardest. Reading passages range from 25 to 150 words and represent a wide variety of subject areas, including literature, history, social studies, the humanities, and science.

SAT Math Test

The SAT Math Test consists of questions that focus on the areas of math deemed to play the largest role in college and career success, which can be divided into four categories:

1. Algebra
2. Advanced Math
3. Problem-Solving and Data Analysis
4. Geometry and Trigonometry

Algebra questions measure the ability to analyze, fluently solve, and create linear equations and inequalities, as well as analyze and fluently solve equations and systems of equations using multiple techniques. Types of questions include linear equations in one variable, linear equations in two variables, linear functions, systems of two linear equations in two variables, and linear equations in one or two variables. There are typically 13-15 Algebra-focused questions on the SAT.

Advanced Math questions measure skills and knowledge necessary for progression to more advanced math courses, including demonstrating an understanding of absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical, and other nonlinear equations. Types of questions include equivalent expressions, nonlinear equations in one variable, systems of equations in two variables, and nonlinear functions. There are typically 13-15 Advanced Math-focused questions on the SAT.

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis questions measure the ability to apply quantitative reasoning about ratios, rates, and proportional relationships; understand and apply unit rate; and analyze and interpret both one- and two-variable data. Types of questions include percentages, one-variable data (distributions and measures of center and spread), two-variable data (models and scatterplots), probability and conditional probability, inference from sample statistics and margin of error, and evaluating statistical claims (observational studies and experiments). There are typically 5-7 Problem-Solving and Data Analysis-focused questions on the SAT.

Geometry and Trigonometry questions include area and volume formulas, lines, angles, triangles, right triangles, trigonometry, and circles. There are typically 5-7 Geometry and Trigonometry questions on the SAT.

According to the College Board, approximately 30% of all Math questions are presented “in context.” Also known as “word problems,” these questions require test-takers to consider a science, social studies, or real-world scenario and apply math skills to determine the correct answer. 

An onscreen calculator is provided for use on the entire Math section, or students may bring their own approved calculator.

Summary of Section Changes on the 2025 SAT

The latest round of revisions to the SAT have been rather extensive, and we will examine them in detail below. Changes went into effect in 2023 for international students and 2024 for students in the United States. 

• Format of the exam: The SAT is now completely digital, as the paper and pencil version of the exam was done away with.
• Taking the exam: The SAT can be taken on a personal Windows or Mac laptop or tablet, as well as a school-managed Chromebook. If a student does not have access to a personal laptop or tablet, they may request to borrow one from the College Board for use on the day of their exam.
• Length of the exam: The SAT takes 2 hours and 14 minutes to complete, not including one 10-minute break. This is approximately 45 minutes shorter than the previous version of the exam.
• Number of sections: The SAT has two sections—Reading and Writing, and Math.
• Computer adaptive: With the SAT being a digital exam, it is also a computer adaptive exam, which means the questions you receive are determined by your performance on previous questions. Each section is divided into two modules, and how you perform on the first module determines the difficulty level of the questions you receive in the second module.
• Calculator: Students may now use a calculator on the entire Math section and may bring their own approved device or use the provided onscreen calculator.
• Faster score reporting: Those who take the SAT now receive their scores in two weeks or less after taking the exam, while students who took the previous version did not receive scores for three to six weeks.

The College Board shared several reasons behind the changes, with the most important being the desire to provide a more streamlined and efficient testing experience while also reducing cognitive fatigue and allowing students to perform at their best across the entire exam. The College Board also reports that feedback from students and educators weighed heavily on the implemented revisions, with both test-takers and academic professionals preferring a digital SAT to a paper and pencil exam.

Conclusion

The SAT continues to remain an important part of graduating high school and attending college, and students are advised to thoroughly understand the content and format of the exam before beginning their test preparation. Guidebooks, group courses, and private tutoring programs are all established and effective ways of preparing for this challenging exam, although given the recent revisions, some study guides may be outdated and should therefore be carefully considered before using. With the introduction of computer adaptive testing, students can now demonstrate their abilities and knowledge across fewer questions, resulting in a shorter test time that reduces the mental fatigue associated with taking an exam while allowing test-takers to perform at their very best.