For students and parents

The SAT, explained

Format, content, scoring, dates, fees, test day, and what colleges expect — in one place. Updated October 8, 2026.

The Digital SAT at a glance

The SAT is a college admissions test made by the College Board. Since 2024 it is fully digital in the United States and worldwide, shorter than the old paper test, and adaptive.

2 h 14 min

Total testing time, plus a 10-minute break

Questions: 54 Reading & Writing, 44 Math

400–1600

Total score (two sections, 200–800 each)

Digital

Taken on a laptop or tablet in the Bluebook app

Adaptive

Module 1 performance sets Module 2 difficulty

No penalty

Wrong answers don't cost points — never leave a blank

Format and timing

Two sections, each split into two timed modules. You can't return to a module once it's submitted.

Section	Modules	Questions	Time	Notes
Reading and Writing	2 modules	27 per module (54 total)	32 min per module (64 min)	Short passages of 25–150 words, one question each. Literature, history/social studies, humanities, and science.
Break	—	—	10 min	Between the two sections.
Math	2 modules	22 per module (44 total)	35 min per module (70 min)	Mostly multiple choice, some student-produced (typed-in) answers. About 30% are set in real-world or science contexts.

How the adaptive design works

Each section has two modules. Module 1 contains a broad mix of easy, medium, and hard questions.
Based on how you do in Module 1, Module 2 is either harder or easier. The harder Module 2 is the path to the highest scores.
Within a module you can move back and forth, flag questions, and change answers until time runs out.
A small number of questions in each module are unscored 'pretest' questions used to try out future items. You can't tell which ones they are — treat every question as if it counts.

What's tested

Every question maps to one of eight content domains. Approximate shares and question counts are below; each domain is taught skill-by-skill in our Learn library.

Reading and Writing 54 questions

Information and Ideas≈26% · 12–14 questions

Central ideas and details; command of evidence (textual and quantitative — tables and graphs); inferences.

Craft and Structure≈28% · 13–15 questions

Words in context; text structure and purpose; cross-text connections (two short passages).

Expression of Ideas≈20% · 8–12 questions

Rhetorical synthesis (using notes to meet a goal); transitions.

Standard English Conventions≈26% · 11–15 questions

Boundaries (punctuation, sentence structure); form, structure, and sense (agreement, tense, pronouns, modifiers).

Math 44 questions

Algebra≈35% · 13–15 questions

Linear equations in one and two variables, linear functions, systems of linear equations, linear inequalities.

Advanced Math≈35% · 13–15 questions

Equivalent expressions; nonlinear equations and systems; nonlinear functions (quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical).

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis≈15% · 5–7 questions

Ratios, rates, proportions, units; percentages; one- and two-variable data; probability; sampling, margin of error, and study design.

Geometry and Trigonometry≈15% · 5–7 questions

Area and volume; lines, angles, triangles; right triangles and trigonometry; circles.

Tools you get on test day

Built-in Desmos graphing calculator

Available for the entire Math section. You may also bring an approved handheld calculator as a backup.

Reference sheet

Common math formulas (areas, volumes, special right triangles, and more) are available on screen.

Annotation and flagging

Highlight text, leave notes, eliminate answer choices, and flag questions to revisit.

Countdown clock

Shown on screen; you can hide it, and you'll get a warning when 5 minutes remain.

How scoring works

Each section is scored on a 200–800 scale, and the two add up to a 400–1600 total.
Scores reflect how many questions you answer correctly and how difficult those questions are — that's why the adaptive Module 2 matters.
There is no penalty for wrong answers, so always answer every question.
Your score report shows section and total scores, percentiles, and how you performed in each content domain.
College Board's college and career readiness benchmarks are 480 for Reading and Writing and 530 for Math.
College Board releases most scores 2–4 weeks after test day (often about two weeks for weekend tests). Colleges receive them afterward.

Approximate total-score percentiles

1600	99+th
1550	≈99+th
1500	≈98th
1400	≈94th
1300	≈87th
1200	≈74th
1050	≈50th

For the class of 2025, College Board reported average scores of 521 in Reading and Writing and 508 in Math (about 1029 total). Percentiles are approximate; see your official score report for exact figures.

2026–27 test dates, deadlines and fees

Weekend test dates for the 2026–27 school year. Deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. ET. Verified October 8, 2026.

Test date	Register by	Late / changes by
Oct 3, 2026	Sept 18, 2026	Sept 22, 2026
Nov 7, 2026	Oct 23, 2026	Oct 27, 2026
Dec 5, 2026	Nov 20, 2026	Nov 24, 2026
Mar 6, 2027	Feb 19, 2027	Feb 23, 2027
May 1, 2027	Apr 16, 2027	Apr 20, 2027
Jun 5, 2027	May 21, 2027	May 25, 2027

Fees

SAT registration (U.S.)	$68
International regional fee	+$43
Late registration	$38
Test center change / cancellation	$34
Score reports	4 free if sent within 9 days of the test; then $15 each

Eligible lower-income students in the U.S. can get fee waivers covering two SAT registrations, unlimited score reports, and waived application fees at many colleges. Ask your school counselor.

Many students take the SAT free during the school day (SAT School Day). Fall 2026 window: Oct 1–30, 2026. Spring 2027 window: Mar 1–Apr 30, 2027. Schools register their students for these.

Sending scores, superscoring and retakes

Superscoring

Many colleges combine your best Reading and Writing score and best Math score from different test dates. A second or third attempt can only help at these schools.

Score Choice

You can usually choose which test dates to send, unless a college requires all scores. Check each college's policy.

Sending scores

Pick up to four colleges for free when you register or within 9 days after the test. Colleges receive scores online after you do.

Retakes

There's no limit on how many times you can take the SAT. Many students take it two or three times, starting in the spring of junior year.

Test day checklist

Download Bluebook on the device you'll use and complete exam setup in the days before the test — this creates your admission ticket.
Bring: a fully charged device and charger, your admission ticket, acceptable photo ID, pencils or pens for scratch work, and an approved calculator if you want a backup.
Arrive early (doors typically open around 7:45 a.m. for weekend tests; check your ticket).
Phones and smartwatches must be turned off and stored. Snacks and water are allowed during the break.
If you need extra time or other accommodations, apply through College Board's Services for Students with Disabilities well in advance — approval can take about seven weeks.

The PSAT family

The PSAT tests cover the same skills on a slightly easier scale — great low-stakes practice.

PSAT 8/9

Grades 8–9 · score range 240–1440

Baseline for younger students.

PSAT 10

Grade 10 (spring) · score range 320–1520

Practice that mirrors the SAT.

PSAT/NMSQT

Grades 10–11 (fall) · score range 320–1520

For juniors, it's the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Do colleges require the SAT?

Since 2024, a growing number of selective colleges have reinstated test requirements, while many others remain test-optional and a few are test-blind. Policies change every year — always check each college's admissions website.

Test-required: Examples reported as requiring SAT or ACT scores for recent admissions cycles include MIT, Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, Cornell, Penn, Stanford, Caltech, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, and public systems such as Florida's and Georgia's.

Test-optional: Many colleges remain test-optional — a strong score can still help, especially for merit scholarships and competitive programs.

Test-blind: Some schools, such as the University of California system, do not consider SAT scores in admissions.

A typical timeline

Grade 9–10
Build strong reading, writing, and algebra foundations in school. Take the PSAT 8/9 or PSAT 10 for a baseline.
Fall of grade 11
Take the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit qualifier). Use the results to choose your focus areas.
Winter–spring of grade 11
Start a structured plan (8–12 weeks). Take your first SAT in March, May, or June.
Summer before grade 12
Review your score report, target weak domains, and practise with full-length tests.
Fall of grade 12
Retake in August, October, or November if needed — in time for early application deadlines.

For parents: how to help

Help set a realistic target based on the colleges your student is considering (look up each college's middle-50% SAT range).
Agree on a weekly schedule rather than last-minute cramming — consistency beats intensity.
Ask about the plan, not just the score: which skills are improving, and what's next this week?
Make sure registration deadlines, the Bluebook setup, and test-day logistics are handled early.
Keep perspective: scores are one part of an application, and many colleges superscore multiple attempts.

Frequently asked questions

Is there still an essay?

No. The optional SAT essay was discontinued in 2021 (except in a few state-run school-day programs).

Is the digital SAT harder than the paper version?

It's shorter (about 2 hours 14 minutes versus 3 hours) with shorter reading passages and a calculator allowed on all math questions. The adaptive format means Module 1 accuracy matters a lot.

What's a good score?

It depends on the colleges on your list. Compare your score with each college's middle-50% range. Nationally, about 1050 is around the 50th percentile and 1500 is around the 98th.

How many times should I take the SAT?

Most students take it two or three times. With superscoring, retakes can raise your reported score.

SAT or ACT?

Colleges accept both equally. Take a practice test of each if you're unsure which suits you.

Can I use a calculator on every math question?

Yes. Desmos is built into Bluebook for the whole Math section, and you may bring an approved calculator.

Official resources

The College Board is the source of truth for registration, dates, fees, scores, and policies.

Summarized in our own words from College Board's public information; last verified October 8, 2026. Details change — confirm on the official pages. SAT® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this product.