How long is the SAT, and how is it structured?
Updated
The digital SAT takes 2 hours and 14 minutes of testing, plus a 10-minute break. It has 98 questions in 2 sections, Reading and Writing first and then Math, and each section is split into 2 modules.
| Section | Time | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 64 minutes (2 modules of 32 minutes) | 54 |
| Break | 10 minutes | |
| Math | 70 minutes (2 modules of 35 minutes) | 44 |
| Total | 2 hours 14 minutes, plus the break | 98 |
For what each section tests, see What's on the SAT?
How the modules work
Each section starts with Module 1, a mix of easy, medium and hard questions. Based on how you do on it, Module 2 is either harder or easier. Within a module you can move between questions and mark them for review, but once a module ends, you can't go back to it.
Most questions are multiple choice. In Math, some questions ask you to type in your answer instead. You can use a calculator on every Math question, and Bluebook has the Desmos graphing calculator built in.
Where you take it
You take the SAT in person, at a test center or at your school, on a laptop or tablet running College Board's Bluebook app. You can't take it at home.
Practice the format on Aniko
Aniko's full practice tests copy this structure: 2 modules per section, with the second module adapting to your first. Half and short tests give you 1 module per section at the difficulty you choose, for timing practice between full tests. See How do Aniko practice tests work?
Aniko is an independent SAT prep platform and isn't affiliated with College Board. For the official details, see College Board's SAT structure page.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. There's a 10-minute break between the Reading and Writing section and the Math section. There are no other breaks, unless you have an approved accommodation.
Yes. The paper SAT took about 3 hours. The digital SAT takes 2 hours 14 minutes, plus the break. The optional essay ended in 2021.
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