What is the syllabus for SAT exams?

The SAT exam curriculum consists of three primary components: Mathematics, Reading, and Writing and Language. The Mathematics part tests mathematical ideas, algebra, data interpretation, critical thinking, and high-level math subjects. The Reading and Writing sections concentrate on comprehension of reading, grammar, and language usage.

What subjects are on the SAT?

While there are only two sections in the SAT exam: Maths and reading & writing, the reading & writing section consist of questions from physics, chemistry, biology, humanities, history, etc. subjects.

Is SAT exam very difficult?

Even though the SAT exam is widely recognized for its significant impact on undergraduate college admissions, it is not as challenging as it appears.

SAT Exam Syllabus 2025 Out, Check Section Wise Latest Syllabus Here

Table of Contents

If you are someone planning abroad or are thinking so after your schools, then you must be knowing about the requirement of SAT exam in admission to foreign universities. The SAT is a standardized test that students must take while applying to colleges abroad. Due to the high importance of the subject, students need to score good marks in the SAT exam. Students can ace this test by preparing all the aspects of the SAT Exam Syllabus. Students can check the latest SAT exam syllabus here.

SAT Exam Syllabus

The SAT Exam Syllabus is created using subjects previously taught in schools such as English, Mathematics, and Science. The SAT exam evaluates an individual’s capacity to pursue higher education in foreign universities through these criteria. As we near 2025, the SAT test is moving from its usual setup to an entirely digital system, causing a big change in the SAT test content and studying methods. The SAT is now given digitally, bringing a clear distinction from the traditional paper-based SAT.

The SAT curriculum has evolved over the years and this is also addressed in the upcoming sections. The updated Digital SAT test offers 43% additional time per question than the previous SAT, and 68% more time than the ACT exam for answering. The new format of the SAT has been altered as well. This article discusses all the topics included in the SAT exam syllabus for each section that is assessed. But before going into the SAT exam’s syllabus details, let us first know what is SAT exam?

What is SAT Exam?

The SAT is a typical test taken for college admission in the USA and Canada. Each year, over 1.7 million candidates take this test in order to secure admission to universities in the USA and Canada. The SAT Exam measures the candidate’s skills in math, writing, and evidence-based reading. Candidates should review the SAT Exam Syllabus and all the exam subjects to gain a clear understanding of the SAT Exam. This article thoroughly explores the SAT curriculum, focusing on each section that is assessed.

SAT Exam Syllabus 2025

The SAT Syllabus consists of subjects that students have studied in their school curriculum throughout the years. The SAT exam syllabus consists of:

Reading and writing
Mathematics

In the past, SAT used to have separate reading and writing sections, but now there is just one combined section. Similarly, science concepts are not explicitly assessed in the same way as math in the SAT exam, but the reading and writing sections may include passages related to science topics. There isn’t a defined science section syllabus for the SAT exam.

SAT Pattern

Along with knowing the SAT exam syllabus, students should also know the SAT exam pattern. As stated earlier, the SAT exam pattern has changed after the introduction of the digital channel in the SAT exam. The proposed exam format for SAT Digital 2024 includes different sections and is shorter by nearly one hour. Take a look at the most recent format for the SAT Digital exam in 2024:

Parameters	Reading & Writing Section	Mathematics Section
Format	Two-staged: one tests Reading and the other the Writing section. Both are administered across separately timed modules.	Two-staged: The math section is administered via two separately timed modules.
Test length (total operational and pretest questions)	1st module: 25 operational questions 2 pretest questions 2nd module: 25 operational questions 2 pretest questions	1st module: 20 operational questions 2 pretest questions 2nd module: 20 operational questions 2 pretest questions
Duration of the test	1st module: 32 minutes 2nd module: 32 minutes	1st module: 35 minutes 2nd module: 35 minutes
Total number of Questions	54	44
Total Time Allocated to the section	64 minutes	70 minutes
Scores Reported	Total score calculation: RW + Math section scores
Type(s) of Questions	Discrete; MCQs with four options	MCQ (75%) and student-produced response (SPR)(25%)
Topics asked in the exam	Literature, History / Social Studies, Humanities and Science	Algebra, Problem Solving & Data Analysis, Advanced Math and; Geometry & Trigonometry
Informational Graphics present	Tested, includes – tables, bar graphs, line graphs	Also tested

SAT Exam Syllabus for Digital Maths

Take a look at the SAT Digital Math curriculum for the test scheduled on the next exam date in the following table.

Maths Topics	Key areas tested in the exam	Weightage (in %)	No. of questions
Algebra	Linear equations in one variable Linear equations in two variables Linear functions Systems of two linear equations in two variables Linear inequalities in one or two variables	Weightage: 35%	13-15
Advanced Math	Equivalent expressions Nonlinear equations in one variable Systems of equations in two variables Nonlinear functions	Weightage: 35%	13-15
Problem-solving and Data Analysis	Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units Percentages One-variable data: distributions and measures of centre and spread Two-variable data: models and scatterplots Probability and conditional probability Inference from sample statistics and margin of error Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and Experiments	Weightage: 15%	5-7
Geometry and Trigonometry	Area and volume formulae Lines, angles, and triangles Right triangles and trigonometry Circles	Weightage: 15%	5-7

SAT Reading & Writing Syllabus

SAT The SAT’s evidence-based Reading and Writing section includes a reading section. There will be roughly 56 questions in the portion, which is divided into small sections with 10–11 questions each. There are four possible answers for each question. The purpose of the reading comprehension section is to assess candidates’ comprehension of written material and their ability to interpret various contexts and the terminology that go along with it. The table below provides information on the total testing areas for SAT Reading and Writing for the new Digital format, along with an in-depth explanation of each testing area.

Subject Areas	Skills or Topics Tested in the exam	Weightage (in %)	No. of Questions
Craft and Structure	Words in Context Text Structure and Purpose Cross-Text Connections	28%	13-15
Information and Ideas	Central Ideas and Details Command of Evidence based on – Textual and Quantitative Inferences	26%	12-14
Standard English Conventions	Boundaries Form, Structure, and Sense	26%	11-15
Expression of Ideas	Rhetorical Synthesis Transitions	20%	8-12

SAT Exam Syllabus: Question Types

The level and nature of questions asked in the SAT Maths section is same as the standard class 12th exam papers. The only difference is that the questions are objective in nature. The question types asked in the Reading & Writing section of the SAT exam has been given below.

Expression of Ideas: Students will apply their ability to edit texts to achieve particular rhetorical objectives and enhance the efficacy of written language.
Ideas and Innovations: Students will apply their knowledge and abilities in understanding, analysis, and reasoning as well as their capacity to find, decipher, assess, and incorporate concepts and information from texts and educational images.
Craft and Structure: Students’ vocabulary, comprehension, analysis, synthesis, and reasoning abilities as well as their ability to comprehend and apply high-utility words and phrases in context will all be evaluated. They would also need to draw links between texts that are thematically related and assess texts rhetorically.
Standard English Conventions: Students will employ their editing abilities and knowledge to ensure that the writing complies with the fundamental rules of Standard English punctuation, usage, and sentence structure.