beginning of content:
Get an overview of how the SAT differs from the one students took before March 2016. The first table compares the major features. The second table compares the number of items and testing times in each part.
Major Features Compared
Category | Old SAT | New SAT |
---|---|---|
Total Testing Time |
3 hours and 45 minutes | 3 hours (plus 50 minutes for the Essay [optional]) |
Components |
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Important Features |
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Essay |
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Score Reporting |
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Subscore Reporting | None | Subscores for every test, providing added insight for students, parents, admission officers, educators, and counselors |
Test Length and Timing Compared
Old SAT | New SAT | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Component | Time Allotted (min.) |
Number of Questions/ Tasks |
Component | Time Allotted (min.) |
Number of Questions/ Tasks |
Critical Reading | 70 | 67 | Reading | 65 | 52 |
Writing | 60 | 49 | Writing and Language | 35 | 44 |
Essay | 25 | 1 | Essay (optional) | 50 | 1 |
Mathematics | 70 | 54 | Math | 80 | 58 |
Total | 225 | 171 | Total | 180 (230 with Essay) | 154 (155 with Essay) |