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What are the SAT Exam Syllabus and Pattern 2023?

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SAT is a computerized test to assess a student for admission to bachelor’s programs. This is used by colleges and universities in India and abroad for admissions. The College Board, which conducts the SAT exam, has provided the SAT Exam syllabus for the two major sections: EBRW (Evidence-based Reading and Writing), Math, and an optional essay in SAT. The essay section is optional for the students. SAT full form stands for the Scholastic Assessment Test.

This test mainly applies to International students seeking college admissions in the USA. The universities use your SAT score to assess your capability for undergraduate study. The newly introduced Digital SAT exam offers 43% more Time for each question than the old SAT exam pattern. The new SAT exam has a shorter duration, and the SAT exam pattern has changed also. Earlier, SAT used to treat reading and writing as two separate sections. Now onwards, there is only one section. Read this article to understand the SAT Exam Syllabus and Pattern 2023.

Why take the SAT exam?

The SAT is a paper-based test. Universities and colleges, mainly in the United States, use SAT to evaluate their candidates. Having a decent SAT score to apply for degrees study in the United States would be best.

SAT full form is Scholastic Assessment Test. SAT evaluates your high school knowledge to determine if you’ve got the necessary skills to succeed in college.

What is the structure of the SAT?

The SAT includes two main sections and one optional section.

  1. Reading, Writing & Language Tests
  2. Math Test
  3. SAT Essay (Optional section)

The SAT takes 3 hours to complete without the optional section and 3 hours and 50 minutes with the essay section

SAT Digital Exam Pattern 2023 

SAT Digital Pattern SAT Digital Reading & Writing (RW) Section SAT Digital Math Section
Format Two-stage Format: Reading and Writing section test. Both tests are taken in separately-timed modules. Two-stage Format: The math section is taken via two separately timed modules.
Total questions 1st module:

  • Total 25 questions
  • 2 pretest questions

2nd module

  • Total 25 questions
  •  2 pretest questions
1st module:

  • Total 20 questions
  • 2 pretest questions

2nd module:

  • Total 20 questions
  • 2 pretest questions
Total duration of time 1st module time: 32 minutes

2nd module time: 32 minutes

1st module time: 35 minutes

2nd module time: 35 minutes

Total  Number of Questions 54 44
Total Time given to the candidate 64 minutes 70 minutes
Total score calculation Reading + Writing + Math section scores  
Types of questions MCQs with four options 75% MCQ & 25% SPR (Student produced response)
Topics covered Literature, Humanities, History/Social Studies, & Science Social Science, Science, and real-world related topics
Graphics covered Tables, bar graphs, line graphs Same

SAT Digital Reading & Writing Syllabus 2023

SAT Reading & Writing Section Syllabus Skills/Knowledge test areas Total number of questions & section weightage
Craft and Structure
  • Text Structure and Purpose
  • Words in Context
  • Cross-Text Connections
Total number of questions: 13-15

Weightage: 28% 

Information and Ideas
  • Command of Evidence based on – Textual and Quantitative Inferences
  • Central Ideas and Details
Total number of questions: 12-14

Weightage: 26% 

Standard English Conventions
  • Form, Structure, and Sense
  • Boundaries
Total number of questions: 11-15

Weightage: 26%

Expression of Ideas Rhetorical Synthesis Transitions Total number of questions: 8-12

Weightage: 20%

SAT Digital Math Syllabus 2023 

SAT Math Testing Sections Knowledge Domain testing areas Total number of questions and weightage
Algebra
  • Linear equations in one variable
  • Linear equations in two variables
  • Systems of two linear equations in two variables
  • Linear functions
  • Linear inequalities in one or two variables
 

Questions: 13-15

Weightage: 35% 

Advanced Math
  • Equivalent expressions
  • Nonlinear functions
  • Nonlinear equations in one variable and systems of equations in two variables
Questions: 13-15

Weightage: 35% 

 

Problem- Solving and Data Analysis
  • Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units
  • One-variable data: distributions and measures of centre and spread
  • Two-variable data: models and scatterplots
  • Percentages
  • Probability and conditional probability
  • Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and Experiments
  • Inference from sample statistics and margin of error
Questions: 5-7

Weightage: 15%

Geometry and Trigonometry
  • Area and volume
  • Right triangles and trigonometry
  • Lines, angles, and triangles
  • Circles
Questions: 5-7

Weightage: 15%

Latest SAT Paper Pattern 2023

The SAT exam is conducted objectively. Its Duration is 2 hrs and 14 mins. There are 98 questions in both SAT sections of RW & Math. Let’s check the latest SAT Exam/Test Pattern for the year 2023 for higher education in universities/ colleges abroad.

SAT Sections Total Number of questions Total Duration (mins)
Reading & Writing 54 64
Mathematics 44 70
Total 98 134

New Digital SAT Scoring Pattern?

The total score remains the same at 1600 in the new Digital SAT. Only the scoring pattern varies from the traditional paper-and-pencil-based SAT. The two main sections will have an individual score of 800 each. Only the basis of the scoring has changed.

The digital SAT is now a module-adaptive or a multistage adaptive test. A candidate’s performance in the first module of the section will decide the difficulty level of the questions in the next module. In simpler terms, suppose you perform well in the first module of Maths, then the digital SAT will automatically raise the difficulty level of the questions for the second module. But if you don’t perform well on the first module, then the difficulty level of the second set of questions will be lowered.

Remember, the tests are not only given marks based on right or wrong answers. Instead, the score is also given based on the difficulty level of the questions. This means the more the difficulty level of the question, the higher the marks it will receive and vice versa. One of the benefits of the digital SAT is its ‘no negative marking’ scheme so you can make mistakes. However, remember that wrong answers can impact your overall SAT score due to the multistage adaptive policy adopted by SAT.

Where can you appear for the Digital SAT?

The digital SAT is online and held only at designated test centres. You can either request the College Board to allocate either one of the test centres, or you can appear for the test on your laptop or tablet. If your device’s battery gets lowered or the WiFi drops, you can resume from where you left off without losing Time.

How to prepare for the SAT Exam 2023?

Either you can prepare for the SAT exam on your own, or you can take the help of SAT coaching or training.

SAT Reading preparation tips

  • Carefully read the introduction to the passage.
  • Try to look for direct evidence
  • Strategically read the whole passage
  • Understand the context and semantics

SAT Writing and Language Test Preparation Tips

  • Study the grammar rules once again
  • Select the answer which is the most grammatically concise
  • Before attempting any solution, try to skim the paragraph
  • Find out the “No Error” answers
  • Try to figure out the consistency and style

Let’s see some of the best tips and tricks to get a good score in the SAT Exam 2023:

  • Read the instructions and directions in each section carefully
  • Always try to answer the easy questions first
  • Try to eliminate the wrong answers
  • Don’t try to skip the answers
  • Keep a watch on the Time
  • I understand your questions well

 Conclusion

 The SAT syllabus for Indian students is based on their high school education. It is very vast. This test your reasoning ability, interpretation and information comprehension. This blog has highlighted major changes in the SAT Exam Pattern 2023 & SAT Exam Syllabus. Now it will take time to analyze whether the college board’s transition to a fully digital SAT will address the current problems in SAT. I hope you’ve liked this post! Please like and share this post.

FAQs 

1) Why take the SAT exam?

 The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized exam commonly used by colleges and universities in the United States as part of their admissions process. SAT scores assess your academic abilities and compare you to other applicants. It provides a standardized measure of academic performance and aptitude.

2) How to prepare for the SAT Exam 2023?

Make a study plan for each section. Attempt as many SAT practice tests as possible before the exam. Try to find your mistakes and weaknesses and work on them. Master your basics of grammar also. These steps will help you to get a decent score on SAT Exam 2023. 

3) Is the SAT exam easy for Indian Students?

Ultimately, the ease or difficulty of the SAT exam for Indian students depends on their preparation, familiarity with the exam format, and mastery of the content covered. With adequate preparation and practice, Indian students can achieve good results on the SAT.

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