Compare SAT Specifications

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

**Comparison of the Major Features: Old SAT and New SAT**
Category	Old SAT	New SAT
Total Testing Time	3 hours and 45 minutes	3 hours (plus 50 minutes for the Essay [optional])
Components	Critical Reading Writing Mathematics Essay	Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Reading Test Writing and Language Test Math Essay (optional)
Important Features	Emphasis on general reasoning skills Emphasis on vocabulary, often in limited contexts Complex scoring (a point for a correct answer and a deduction for an incorrect answer; blank responses have no impact on scores)	Focus on the knowledge, skills, and understandings that research has identified as most important for college and career readiness and success Greater emphasis on the meaning of words in extended contexts and on how word choice shapes meaning, tone, and impact Rights-only scoring (no penalty for guessing)
Essay	Required and given at the beginning of the SAT 25 minutes to write the essay Tests writing skill; students take a position on a presented issue	Optional and given at the end of the SAT; postsecondary institutions determine whether they will require the Essay for admission 50 minutes to write the essay Tests reading, analysis, and writing skills; students produce a written analysis of a provided source text
Score Reporting	Scale ranging from 600 to 2400 Scale ranging from 200 to 800 for Critical Reading; 200 to 800 for Mathematics; 200 to 800 for Writing Essay results scaled to multiple-choice Writing	Scale ranging from 400 to 1600 Scale ranging from 200 to 800 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing; 200 to 800 for Math; 2 to 8 on each of three dimensions for Essay Essay results reported separately
Subscore Reporting	None	Subscores for every test, providing added insight for students, parents, admission officers, educators, and counselors

Test Length and Timing Compared

**Comparison of Test Length and Timing:** Old SAT and New SAT
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)