Section-wise SAT Exam Syllabus 2025: Question Types, Tips & FAQs

Most of the questions in the SAT exam are multiple-choice questions, except a few questions, where you will be required to enter your response separately, without any options. 

It’s important to note that the SAT examination does not follow a negative marking scheme. So, even if you answer a question incorrectly, you will not get negative marks for it. Hence, it is recommended to attempt all the questions, even if you are skeptical about answering them.

How many modules are there in the SAT Digital Exam?

The SAT exam is structured with two sections: Reading & Writing and Math, each having two modules. The first module contains a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. Based on performance, the second module becomes easier or harder, adjusting the difficulty level. The SAT allows 68% more time per question than the ACT. The digital SAT is computer-adaptive, meaning students who perform well in the first module will face tougher questions in the second, potentially leading to a higher score ceiling due to the increased difficulty of questions.

Time Allotment for SAT Exam Modules

How is the Old Syllabus different from the New SAT Syllabus?

SAT Exam English Syllabus

The SAT exam English syllabus evaluates student’s ability to read & comprehend the passages, and organise their ideas, employing effective command of English language skills. The English or ‘Reading & Writing’ section includes questions related to topics like Information and Ideas, Craft and Structure, Expression of Ideas, and Standard English Conventions. 

The SAT English syllabus, including topics and knowledge tested, and number and weightage of questions, are discussed in the table below:

How is the Digital SAT English Section Divided?

The SAT English syllabus includes two modules. Each module is to be completed within 32 minutes, totalling up to 64 minutes. Earlier, the English section evaluated the reading and writing skills separately, however, now the English section of the Digital SAT is termed under one section named Reading and Writing Section. 

A combination of reading and writing questions are asked in Module 1 and 2 of the SAT Reading and Writing section. Module 1 will pose some easy, medium, and difficult questions,  and based on your performance, the difficulty level of questions asked in Module 2 is determined. If you answer a question correctly, Module 2 of the English section, will display questions of a higher difficulty level, and vice versa. 

How to improve SAT reading & writing sections?

SAT Exam Math Syllabus

The Mathematics section of the SAT contains 2 modules, each of which must be completed within 35 minutes each with a total time allotted of 70 minutes. The SAT Math syllabus is discussed in the table below:

How can I practice for the SAT Math section effectively?

Type of Questions in SAT Math Section

• Advanced Math-1:

  This includes topics like-

  • Functions and Graphs: You will need to identify the domain and range of a function, evaluate and solve an equation.

• Advanced Math-2:

  This includes th following topics:

  • Arithmetic Progression: You will be given a series or a sequence of numbers in which each term is obtained by adding, substrating, multiplying, or dividing a fixed constant value.
  • Geometric Progression: It is a sequence of numbers in which each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous term by a constant number called the common ratio.

• Data Analysis-1:

  This is more related to statistics and analysis of a given piece of data or information. You may be asked to calculate the mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation, etc.

• Data Analysis-2:

  This includes problems related to permutation and combination, and probability and data interpretation of graphs like bar graphs, line graphs, pie-charts, scatter plots, and histograms.

• Geometry and Trigonometry:

  • Geometry-1: This section deals with different types of lines, angles, parallel lines, polygons, triangles, congruent triangles, Pythagoras theorem, Pythagoras triplets, special right triangles, quadrilaterals, parallelograms, rectangles, squares, rhombus, trapezoid, etc. You must be asked to calculate area, perimeter, etc. of these diagrams.
  • Geometry- 2: This section includes circles, spheres, cubes, cuboids, cylinders, and cones. You are required to calculate the diameter, radius, chord, central angle, tangent, arc and arc length, sector, volume, surface area, etc. for these diagrams.
  • Trigonometry: This uses all the trigonometry angles, like, sin, cos, tan, etc. You might be asked to measure angles in radians, and converting radians to degrees.

• Algebra-1:

  This includes linear equations. You might be asked to solve linear equations to deduce the equation to three types of solutions- unique, infinite, and no solution. In addition, problems of inequality can be asked.

• Algebra-2:

  This includes quadratic equations, sum and product of roots, exponents or radicals, etc.

• Problem-solving-1:

  This includes questions related to the classification of numbers, percentages, common fraction-to-percent equivalents, percentage change, simple interest, compound interest, and unit conversions.

• Problem-solving-2:

  This includes problems involving ratios, rate and work and relative speed.

Type of Questions in SAT English Section

The SAT English syllabus contains the following topics:

• Reading for Main Idea:

  Questions based on this concept require you to identify the central theme or main purpose of the passage. While reading the passage you must be able to spot the following elements:

  • The topic of the passage
  • The author’s perspective on the topic
  • The main purpose or argument the author is trying to make 
  • The supporting details used by the author to reinforce the main idea of the passage

• Advanced Math-2:

  The questions under this sub-topic can include:

  • Definitions or explanations provided in the passage
  • Synomyms or antonyms 
  • Examples or analogies
  • Connotations or associations
  • Word roots or prefixes/suffixes

• Inference:

  There are different types of inferences that can be asked in SAT exam:

  • Implicit information: You might need to extract information based on the context and clues provided in the reading comprehension passage. 
  • Author’s attitude or tone: You will be required to infer the author’s viewpoint or emotional state based on the words and phrases used and the overall messages conveyed in the passage.
  • Relationship between ideas: You must understand the connections between different ideas, arguments, or themes within the passage.

• Strengthen, Weaken, & Dual Passage:

  These questions are designed to assess your ability to analyze a given piece of information. It contains two-types of questions:

  • Strengthen questions: In these questions, you must identify evidence or reasoning that supports the author’s claim or argument. 
  • Weaken questions: These questions require you to select evidence that undermines teh author’s argument. 
  • Dual Passage questions: In these questions, you need to compare two passages to identify the similarities and differences between them.

• Accomplish the Goal/Rhetorical Synthesis:

  Each rhetorical synthesis question has the same parts, as mentioned below:

  • An introduction
  • A series of bulleted facts 
  • A question prompt
  • The choices

• Punctuations:

  These questions test your writing skills and effective use of common punctuation marks like commas, semi-colons, colons, dashes, and apostrophes.

• Subject-Verb Agreement:

  These questions will examine your ability to write clear, cohesive, and coherent sentences.

• Pronouns:

  Pronouns play a crucial role in the writing and language test of the Digital SAT. These questions will test your ability to use different types of pronouns in sentences, including personal, possessive, reflexive, indefinite, and relative pronouns.

• Tenses and Modifiers:

  Tenses-based questions assess your ability to effectively use the time at which an action has occurred and provide insights into your ability to write clearly and coherently. Modifiers provide more depth and definition to a given word or element.

• Transitions:

  These test your ability to connect ideas, and logical relationships, and enhance the flow and structure of sentences and paragraphs.

• Parallelism and Comparisons:

  These types of questions evaluate your ability to maintain consistency, clarity, balance, and coherence within sentences and paragraphs. You will need to identify and correct errors in parallel structure and comparisons and determine the appropriate structure for a given context.

Tips to Cover SAT Syllabus within the Set Deadline

Here are some tips to help cover the SAT syllabus within a set deadline:

1. Start Early: Begin preparing for the SAT while balancing school studies. Allocate at least 2-3 months for focused preparation and develop a clear strategy to gain confidence.

2. Create a Study Plan: Choose your test date and build a structured plan. Target weaker areas, set goals, and make sure your practice aligns with the colleges you aim for.

1. Use Official SAT Resources: Rely on official SAT preparation materials and take practice tests to identify gaps and improve accordingly.
2. Pay Attention in Class: Since the SAT aligns with classroom learning, actively engage in lessons and revisit unclear concepts.
3. Practice Regularly: Consistent practice sharpens skills, strengthens weak points, and improves exam-day readiness.
4. Read Daily: Boost reading speed and vocabulary by reading regularly, which enhances performance on the reading section.
5. Time Management: Practice pacing yourself during the exam to ensure you can complete all sections without rushing.
6. Targeted Practice: Focus more on areas of weakness as identified in practice tests for optimal study efficiency.
7. Avoid Answer Patterns: Use logical elimination rather than relying on answer patterns from past exams.