The SAT is an entrance exam used by colleges and universities to help make decisions about admissions.
The SAT is administered by the CollegeBoard and is given 7 times per year. The exam is a timed, mainly multiple-choice exam, taken by students in high school.
Beginning in the spring of 2024, the SAT will be going fully digital. The digital SAT (DSAT) will have some formatting and content changes to it, along with some other changes. You can review those changes below.
This exam will be given to students starting in spring of 2024.
Section | Number of Questions | Time Limit (Mins) |
---|---|---|
Reading & Writing | 54 | 64 (Two 32-Minute Modules) |
Math | 44 | 70 (Two 35-Minute Modules) |
This exam will be given to students up until spring of 2024.
Section | Number of Questions | Time Limit (Mins) |
---|---|---|
Reading | 52 | 65 |
Writing & Language | 44 | 35 |
Math (With calculator) | 38 | 55 |
Math (Without calculator) | 20 | 25 |
The biggest difference between the old SAT and the digital SAT is that the digital SAT is taken completely online and has combined some sections to streamline the exam.
You will receive a score for math and a score for reading/writing. Each of those scores will be between 200 and 800 .
Your total score will be the sum of those two scores. You can receive a total score between 400 and 1600 on the SAT.
The average SAT score is 1060. Learn more about good SAT scores .
You can register for the SAT online via the CollegeBoard site .
You will need to do the following when registering for the SAT:
It will cost your $60 to take the SAT. There may be some additional fees like canceling, changing test center, etc..
The SAT is typically given 7 times per year. The exam is given on Saturdays. You can expect the exam to be given in these months:
You can find exact dates on the official website .
When using our free SAT practice tests, we recommend the following steps to get the most out of your time:
There are many benefits to using SAT questions during your prep process. Some of those benefits include:
The SAT exam is a timed test. Keeping a steady pace is critical to achieving a high score.
You can improve your decision making and your time by taking practice exams.
All standardized tests, including the SAT, have their own unique way of presenting questions and answer choices.
You will gain more familiarity and comfort with the SAT question style as you take more practice quizzes. On the real exam day, there will be no surprises.
When you take many practice exams, you will get a sense of your test strengths and weaknesses.
Many students mistakenly spend time working on their strengths while ignoring their weaknesses.
Knowing which subjects you struggle with will help you focus your study time.
Tests like the SAT measure your ability to solve problems, not just memorize information. It is critical to have strong problem-solving abilities.
The answer explanations provided in our score reports can help you understand how to solve problems that you may be struggling with.
When is the sat going to the digital format.
The SAT will be switching to the digital format in the spring of 2024.
There are 154 questions on the old SAT (written version).
There are 98 questions on the new SAT (digital version).
You will have 3 hours and 15 minutes to take the old SAT (written version).
You will have 2 hours and 14 minutes to take the new SAT (digital version).
There will be 1 math section in which you can use a calculator and 1 math section in which you cannot use a calculator on the old SAT (written version).
You will be permitted to use a calculator on all math modules on the new SAT (digital version).
We recommend taking 1 practice exam for each subject. You can then determine which subject gave you the most trouble and focus your studies on that subject.
Written by tutor ellen s..
The SAT has undergone a significant number of changes over the years, generally involving adjustments in the scoring rubric, and often in response to steadily-declining or increasingly-perfect test scores. When the SAT was changed in 2005, however, they made some significant changes to the test that students see. One of these changes was the addition of the writing section, based on the original SAT II subject test, which includes a timed essay. In including a timed essay on an otherwise multiple-choice test, the SAT throws a problem at students that they are generally unprepared to solve.
Because high school classes usually don’t discuss timed essays, students can have difficulty when faced with the SAT essay. You’ll need a different set of skills to tackle the SAT essay, and ideally a completely separate amount of time to practice those skills. In this lesson I’ll give you an overview of the differences between timed essays and at-home essays, and share my tips for successfully completing a well-organized, well-thought-out SAT essay.
First, the differences. In a timed essay, you’re given the prompt on the spot rather than having an idea of what the topic will be beforehand, as you would if you were writing an essay for an English class. On the SAT, you get one prompt and one prompt only, so you don’t even have the benefit of choosing one that works for you – you have to write about whatever they give you. In addition you’re writing everything out longhand, which eats up more time than you might think and makes it harder to make edits and corrections – particularly if you have bad handwriting and you’re worried about staying legible. And just forget about rearranging paragraphs and reorganizing whole sentences – you’ll never have time for that!
All of this means that you have to be much more organized right from the get-go than you would be in a natural writing process. You’ll need to read the question, think for a few moments, and then immediately form an opinion so you can start the actual writing as soon as possible. So for all timed essays, and the SAT essay in particular, I strongly emphasize the importance of prewriting. Prewriting can take many forms, from word clouds to concept nets, but for the SAT, I recommend the basic straightforward outline – with a few tweaks. Here’s my formula for SAT essay outlines.
First, read the prompt through a couple of times. SAT essay prompts usually follow a set format involving the statement of an opinion, and then asking whether you agree or disagree with that opinion. Let’s take an example from the January 2014 test date, courtesy of the College Board website:
Some see printed books as dusty remnants from the preelectronic age. They point out that electronic books, or e-books, cost less to produce than printed books and that producing them has a much smaller impact on natural resources such as trees. Yet why should printed books be considered obsolete or outdated just because there is something cheaper and more modern? With books, as with many other things, just because a new version has its merits doesn’t mean that the older version should be eliminated.
Assignment: Should we hold on to the old when innovations are available, or should we simply move forward? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations. ( Source. )
he first thing I recommend when confronted with an SAT essay prompt is to ask yourself the question “Do I agree or disagree with the premise of the prompt?” That’ll usually be the last sentence of the first paragraph in the prompt. In this case, do you agree that “just because a new version has its merits doesn’t mean that the older version should be eliminated”? Now write the phrase “I agree” or “I disagree” at the top of your scratch paper accordingly. Put some asterisks around it so you remember to keep checking back in with it during the writing. This opinion is the most important part of your essay, so you want it to be clear in your mind. Next, ask yourself “Why do I agree?” or “Why do I disagree?” The first sentence you say to yourself in response to that question is your rough thesis statement. Jot that down under the first phrase. So, my response to our example would look like this:
* I agree * While the new version might have its merits, the original often has merits of its own.
Again, this is very rough at this stage, but on the SAT you’re trying to prewrite fast, so don’t worry too much about that. On to the body paragraphs!
On a 25-minute essay, you probably won’t have enough time for a full five-paragraph structure with three sub-examples for each point. Two body paragraphs and two examples of each will suffice. You never want to rely on just a single example, though, or you’ll likely lose points for not supporting your statements enough. Write out a template for the body of your essay that looks like this:
I. Main point 1 A. Example 1 B. Example 2 II. Main point 2 A. Example 1 B. Exampple 2
Remember, it’s an outline, so no full sentences. Write only as much as you need to remind yourself of your points. So for our example, my outline would look like this:
I. The “Tangible” aspects A. A book never runs out of battery B. Can read it in the sun, by the pool or in the bathtub – places you wouldn’t want to take a piece of electronics II. The “non-tangible” aspects A. The smell of a new book, tactile sense of turning pages, experience of closing it when you finish B. Ability to get lost in a book, to lose sense of place and become the story
At this point I can see a slight revision I’d make to my original thesis statement, which is the idea that an e-book can never mimic the tactile experience of reading (smelling the book, turning pages, etc.) I’ll quickly adjust my thesis to say:
While the new version might have its merits, the original offers a tactile experience that the new can’t hope to achieve – an experience that can’t be mimicked by technology.
Perfect. All told, your prewriting should have taken you 3 to 5 minutes, most of which was thinking. Now, on to the paper itself!
Okay, here’s my biggest timed-essay secret: don’t start with the introduction. Start by skipping five or six lines down the page, leaving space for an introduction that will be inserted later. Start with your first body paragraph. Work from your outline, converting your points into full sentences and connecting them with transitions, and you should be at a good start. Once both body paragraphs are written, continue on and write your conclusion. Then, go back and write your introduction in the space you left at the beginning. That way, you’ll know what you’re introducing since it’s already written.
I generally recommend about 15 minutes of writing time for the body paragraphs, followed by 5 minutes for the intro and conclusion. Depending on how quickly you got your prewriting done, that leaves you with one or two minutes to look it over, fixing any spelling mistakes or sloppy handwriting. Don’t try to change too much, though – when you’re writing everything out longhand, changes require erasing. We do so much writing on computers these days that sometimes we forget how long it takes to erase a whole sentence and rewrite it. A better tactic is to think through each sentence in your head before you write it down, making sure you have it phrased the way you want it before you put pencil to paper. But don’t spend too long – try it a few times and you’ll find that writing four full paragraphs longhand actually takes about 25 minutes to do – on a good day. You should expect to be writing pretty much continuously for the entire 25 minutes.
Speaking of which, when you practice your timed essays, pay attention to how your hand feels while you’re writing. The first few times you’ll likely be sore; your hand might even cramp up from writing so hard. It’s tiring to write for that long, so make sure you’re helping yourself. Write lightly on the paper – it’s easy to start pressing down super hard when you’re nervous and panicking. Writing lightly will not only help stave off the hand cramps, it’ll also make erasing much easier when you need to do it. Sit back in your chair while you write – you don’t need to be three inches from your paper to see the words you’re putting down, and hunching over will just make you press harder. Bring your attention to your breathing – are you holding your breath? Why? Try breathing deeply and slowly while you write – it’ll calm your brain and help you think.
Finally, a word about the writing itself – don’t forget you’re on a clock here. Often, you begin to notice as you write that your opinion about the topic is evolving, changing, developing nuances and side areas you want to explore. I know this sounds weird, but you’ve got to try to rein that in – those are all fine things to be thinking about ordinarily, and in an at-home essay I’d say go for it, but you don’t have time to change what you’re writing about in this situation. Sometimes, you’ll even get halfway through a timed essay and realize that you actually don’t agree like you thought you did. Save that thought for later. You’ve got the outline of an organized essay, and that’s what you should be writing. It doesn’t matter at this point if you actually still agree with what you’re saying, all that matters is that you state a clear opinion and communicate it well. After all, the test grader doesn’t even know you – how’s she to know that you don’t really think this anymore? Stay confident and get your original idea out on paper.
For example, the outline I gave above is a perfectly accurate depiction of my opinion on the topic – as it relates to books. However, if we were to start talking about, say, writing essays…I’d probably say that no, I don’t think we should hold on to writing essays out by hand when there are computers available. After all, I’m writing this article on a computer. I’ve copied and pasted multiple paragraphs of information back and forth around this lesson as I was looking for appropriate ways to introduce concepts, and that would have taken forever if I had been writing by hand. But if that thought had occurred to me midway through writing my timed essay about books, I would have acknowledged it for the briefest of moments and then disregarded it. My essay is about books. I’ll just stick to that so I can keep it clean and organized.
Don’t worry about the test graders thinking “But what about X?” – they know you only had 25 minutes and can’t possibly fit every aspect of the argument into that amount of time – or space, for that matter. The scoring rubric focuses on what is present, not what is omitted. As long as you have a clear point of view and are communicating it well, you’ll fulfill their criteria. Remember, this essay’s not in the critical reading section, it’s in the writing section. They’re not in the business of judging the merits of your opinion, just how clearly you’ve communicated it and how well you’ve supported it.
Your timed essays will probably turn out very different than the essays you write at home for class. They might seem stiff, straightforward or brusque; with a limited amount of time you can’t create the subtle, nuanced arguments that your English teachers are probably looking for. But what you can do is create a well-organized, concise presentation of a relatively straightforward point of view, supported by concrete examples that all point toward the same central concept. The SAT essay responds well to a formulaic approach, so while it may take some practice, you will eventually be able to handle a 25-minute essay prompt with confidence.
SAT Prep Courses & Tutoring
Doesn't everyone love the word "free"? This could not be truer—especially in the world of test prep. Practice makes perfect—or at least that's how the old saying goes—and free SAT practice means the world to ambitious students with high-scoring goals. If you're looking for a thorough breakdown of how to solve particular SAT question types, then we've got the free practice that could be a real game-changer in your course of study. Our step-by-step explanations illustrate for you what to expect from what each SAT question, revealing question-specific hurdles and common test-related traps.
Each of our free 60 practice questions is accompanied with a detailed explanation to clarify why a particular answer is correct, but even taking it one step further and entailing why the others are incorrect. We believe a well-rounded approach to understanding the SAT is crucial for success, which is why our breakdowns of important sample questions facilitate more than one way to arrive at the right choice. In the end, the only way to find out your trouble spots and successes is to practice, practice, practice—so why not get cracking on what we have to offer so you can ensure your destiny with a high score.
You have not answered any question so far. You can answer all questions in a row (click on "All Questions") or only all questions of a particular section (click on that Section) or a single selected question (click on that Question).
10 Questions - Variable Level | |||
10 Questions - Variable Level | |||
Heart of Algebra | Medium | ||
Heart of Algebra | Challenging | ||
Heart of Algebra | Challenging | ||
Heart of Algebra | Hard | ||
Heart of Algebra | Challenging | ||
Heart of Algebra | Challenging | ||
Heart of Algebra | Challenging | ||
Heart of Algebra | Hard | ||
Heart of Algebra | Hard | ||
Heart of Algebra | Hard | ||
Quadratic Equations | Medium | ||
Quadratic Equations | Hard | ||
Exponents | Challenging | ||
Functions | Hard | ||
Graphic functions | Challenging | ||
Functions | Challenging | ||
Inequality/Quadratic function | Hard | ||
Inequality | Hard | ||
Inequality | Challenging | ||
Inequality | Hard | ||
Data Analysis (100% stacked bar chart) | Challenging | ||
Data Analysis (100% stacked bar chart) | Challenging | ||
Ratio and Proportion | Challenging | ||
Sets and Venn diagram | Medium | ||
Profit and Loss | Challenging | ||
Probability | Challenging | ||
Time and Work | Challenging | ||
Tables | Challenging | ||
Compound Interest | Hard | ||
Statistics (Mean/Median) | Challenging | ||
Advanced topics in math | Medium | ||
Advanced topics in math | Medium | ||
Geometry | Challenging | ||
Geometry | Hard | ||
Geometry | Challenging | ||
Trigonometry | Challenging | ||
Trigonometry | Easy | ||
Trigonometry | Challenging | ||
Trigonometry | Medium | ||
Geometry | Medium |
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SAT Essay Example: The SAT essay is often viewed as a daunting hurdle on the path to college admissions. However, this crucial component of the test presents a valuable opportunity to showcase critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Beyond simply summarising a provided passage, the SAT essay demands a deeper engagement with the author’s arguments, requiring students to dissect persuasive techniques, identify underlying assumptions, and potentially even propose counterarguments.
We have compiled some SAT essay examples to help you better come to grips with such questions. That said, read the complete blog to learn more about these questions with the help of some SAT essay examples.
The SAT Essay section presents an opportunity for test-takers to showcase their preparedness for the analytical and written demands of college coursework and future careers. It closely resembles a typical college writing assignment, tasking students with a close reading and analysis of a provided passage followed by a structured essay response to a prompt directly connected to the passage.
This section serves a dual purpose: firstly, it grants students a platform to demonstrate their proficiency in reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and written communication; secondly, it offers valuable feedback on these very areas, allowing students to identify strengths and target aspects requiring further development.
The task itself reflects the types of writing assignments students will encounter throughout their academic careers, demanding a critical examination of source material, the formulation of a cogent argument, and the articulation of ideas clearly and concisely.
SAT Essay Example: Here are some sample questions that you can practice to ace your SAT essay questions. Download the free PDF from the link given below and practice the questions. Doing so will give you a solid understanding of the types of questions that can be asked, ensuring you are better equipped to tackle such questions on the day of the exam.
Click on the link below to download the PDF for SAT essay sample questions (with answers) for free!
The SAT Essay adheres to a well-defined structure, designed to assess a student’s ability to effectively analyze and respond to a written argument. Within this framework, students are presented with the opportunity to showcase their critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and writing skills.
The essay begins with a concise and informative introduction. This opening paragraph should provide a brief overview of the passage’s main argument or thesis. Here, students should demonstrate their comprehension of the author’s central point and purpose. Following this introduction, the essay transitions into the body paragraphs, each one dedicated to a specific aspect of the author’s argumentative strategy.
The core body paragraphs serve as the crux of the essay. Within each paragraph, students are tasked with dissecting a distinct element employed by the author to persuade the audience. This analysis should delve into specific techniques utilized by the author, such as the use of evidence, appeals to logic or emotion, or the incorporation of counterarguments. To bolster their analysis, students must provide concrete textual evidence from the passage to substantiate their claims. Effective use of transitions between paragraphs ensures a smooth flow of ideas and a logical progression of the analysis.
The concluding paragraph serves to bring the essay to a satisfying close. In this final section, students should reiterate the main argument of the passage and summarize the key points discussed in the body paragraphs regarding the author’s persuasive techniques. The conclusion may also offer a final thought or reflection on the author’s overall effectiveness in achieving their persuasive goals.
By adhering to this structured format, students taking the SAT Essay can present a well-organized and persuasive analysis of the provided passage. This structure allows them to effectively showcase their critical thinking and writing skills in a way that directly aligns with the expectations of college-level writing assignments.
The SAT Essay presents a valuable opportunity for test-takers to demonstrate their preparedness for the rigours of college-level writing and critical analysis. While seemingly daunting at first glance, crafting a compelling SAT essay becomes a manageable task when approached strategically. Here, we will explore a series of steps designed to guide students through the process of constructing a well-developed and insightful essay response.
There are primarily four types of SAT essay questions that aspirants should keep in mind. These questions typically revolve around analysing the persuasive techniques used in a provided passage. These questions are of the following types:
Keeping abreast of such question types will help you develop a strong foundation for approaching any prompt with ease. Focusing on honing your critical thinking skills and the ability to identify and analyse persuasive techniques will equip you to tackle any passage effectively.
So that was all about SAT essay examples. Hope the blog has answered your queries regarding the topic.
Ans. As of June 2024, the College Board eliminated the mandatory essay section from the SAT. However, some individual schools may still require or recommend the SAT Essay as part of their application process. It’s crucial to check the specific requirements of each college or university you’re interested in attending.
Ans. The SAT Essay assesses your reading comprehension, analytical writing, and persuasive writing skills. You are presented with a passage that argues a particular point of view. Your task is to analyse the author’s argument and identify the key points and the methods used to support them.
Ans. You can practice analysing argumentative passages, honing your reading comprehension skills, and strengthening your writing abilities. Many resources are available online and in test prep materials, including sample prompts and scoring guidelines.
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Shubham Das has been working as an educational content writer for the past two years and has a background in filmmaking & screenplay/ teleplay writing. He is fascinated by the human psyche, literature and cinema.
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In this article, I'll tell you where to find all official, printable SAT practice tests and answer keys. This comprehensive guide gives you access to more SAT practice tests than any other online guide. In addition, you'll learn key strategies that'll help you make big improvements on SAT practice tests you can print out.
Feature image source: The Digital Artist /Pixabay
In spring 2023, the College Board began making its transition to a fully digital version of the SAT—they began this launch with students taking the test internationally. Students taking the test in the U.S. will see this same transition in spring 2024, when the SAT officially completes its launch of the Digital SAT Suite of Assessments .
Therefore, the official digital SAT practice tests are the most relevant—you want to practice in the same format you’ll take the official test to best prepare for realistic testing conditions. This will give you the most authentic test experience and prepare you for what you’ll see and do on test day.
Nothing in life is free...except these practice tests!
There are currently 4 full-length digital adaptive tests available that use the same interface, format, and scoring that you’ll see on the real digital SAT. To access these digital tests you’ll first need to download Bluebook , the app where you will register and take the digital SAT. There, you will find not just practice tests, but additional resources that will help you prepare for this new format.
Now that the SAT is fully digital, only students with approved accommodations will be able to take the test in paper form. If you’ll be taking a paper and pencil version of the SAT, then, you’ll want to start with their most recent practice tests that match the new digital SAT format. The College Board currently offers 4 official, printable practice tests that model the new digital SAT format.
Full-Length Linear Practice Test 1: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Full-Length Linear Practice Test 2: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Full-Length Linear Practice Test 3: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Full-Length Linear Practice Test 4: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Currently, there are 8 available practice tests for the redesigned SAT , all of which have been provided by the maker of the SAT itself, the College Board .
Note that some official practice SATs still include an essay. The essay was previously an optional part of the SAT. Skip over any practice SAT Essays you come across and focus your studying on the remaining sections of the exam (Math, Reading, and Writing and Language). You can also learn more about the ending of the SAT Essay here.
Practice Test 1: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Practice Test 3: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Practice Test 5: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Practice Test 6: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Practice Test 7: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Practice Test 8: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Practice Test 9: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Practice Test 10: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Don't forget to fill in your answers with the SAT answer sheet .
If you would like to get a jump start on practicing for the digital SAT debuting in fall, 2024, you can access what you need at the College Board website . You will first need to download Bluebook, the app where you will register and take the digital SAT. There, you will find not just practice tests, but additional resources that will help you prepare for this new format.
You probably noticed that Practice Test 2 and Practice Test 4 are missing from the section above. That's because the College Board has removed them from their list of officially available practice tests.
If you've already worked through the first eight official practice tests and want to keep working on test-taking skills like time management and strategy, then these exams are a great option!
Practice Test 2: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Practice Test 4: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
These next tests follow the old 2400 format of the SAT, with separate Critical Reading, Math, and Writing sections. (By contrast, on the current SAT, your Reading and Writing scores are combined for a total Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score.)
Despite their somewhat out-of-date structure, these tests can be useful for your studying. Just keep in mind all the major differences between the old and current SAT . I recommend using these tests more as training sessions than as full-on practice for the SAT.
Official SAT Printable Practice Test 2013-14: Questions | Answers
Official SAT Printable Practice Test 2012-13: Questions | Answers
Official SAT Printable Practice Test 2007-08: Questions | Answers
Official SAT Printable Practice Test 2004-05: Questions | Answers
It might look as though I've skipped a few years here, but I actually haven't: all the tests for the years not listed are repeats of those above, including the 2011-12, 2010-11, 2009-10, 2008-09, 2006-07, and 2005-06 practice tests. So if you find these tests on other forums or websites, don't waste your time taking them since they're the exact same as the ones already listed.
Before the SAT underwent a redesign in 2016, the last time it had changed was in 2005, back when it jumped from a 1600-point scale to a 2400-point scale.
Despite this massive shift in scoring, only a few major differences could be found between the very old 1600 SAT and the old 2400 SAT. Other than those, most of the test remained the same.
As a result, these very old SAT practice tests are a hidden gold mine that few students know of. By taking these tests, then, you'll have that much more of an edge over other test takers.
Before I give you the links, though, note a few important caveats:
Be grateful you don't need to answer some of these old-format questions—analogies were the primary reason that the SAT had a bad reputation for forcing students to memorize vocab!
Official SAT Test 2004-05: Questions | Answers
Official SAT Test 2003-04: Questions | Answers
Official SAT Test 2002: Questions + Answers
Official SAT Test 2001: Questions + Answers
Each SAT practice test requires over three hours of intense focus, so it's important to utilize them effectively. Below are six critical strategies to follow each time you take a practice test.
With the SAT switching to digital delivery between 2023-2024, you’ll need to check your test date to know whether you’ll be taking the SAT digitally or on paper. Once you know that, you can choose the best option for your prep— you want to choose the same format and delivery for your practice tests as for the real thing.
So, if you’ll be taking the SAT in the U.S. before spring 2024, start with the 8 official, printable tests at the beginning of this article. If you’ll be taking the SAT digitally, either internationally or in the U.S. after spring 2024, you should download the College Board’s Bluebook app and use the 4 official, digital practice tests. And if you’ll have accommodations for taking the SAT after spring 2024 and will be using a paper copy for the real test, start by taking the 4 official, printable practice tests with the new digital SAT format.
Although time pressure can be intimidating, it's important to follow official SAT time limits as closely as possible on practice tests.
Why? If, for example, you spend just two extra minutes on a section, this could raise your score by hundreds of points, since the extra time allowed you to answer more questions than you would've been able to within the actual time limit. As a result, your practice SAT score becomes inflated and doesn't give you an accurate indicator of your actual scoring ability.
On the digital SAT, there are two sections with two modules each:
Reading and Writing
Make sure to give yourself breaks , too!
The digital SAT is shorter than older versions of the exam but it still lasts over two hours on an early Saturday morning. Many of my students have told me how difficult it was to stay focused the entire time and keep themselves from making careless mistakes at the end.
Preparing for the SAT is like training for a marathon: you need to ensure you have enough stamina to make it through the test. And the best way to do this is to take each practice test in one sitting, as if you were taking the actual SAT.
If it's too difficult for you to find the time to take a practice test in one sitting, go ahead and split it up over several days—just make sure you adhere to the time limits for each section. Ultimately, it's better to do some SAT practice than none at all!
Practice tests aren't just good for getting to know the SAT format and sections—they're also great for learning from your mistakes .
For every practice SAT test you take, spend time reviewing both questions you got wrong and questions you got right. If you don't know why you missed a question, don't just skip it and move on; doing this means you won't learn what kind of mistake you made, which increases your risk of making it over and over again. This habit can affect your score pretty drastically.
So make sure to approach your SAT prep with this in mind: quality over quantity. I'd rather have you take three practice tests with detailed review than six practice tests with no review.
From my experience with thousands of students, this magic number works best at getting students really comfortable with the SAT in all major respects, including timing and endurance.
If you want to take more than four tests, go ahead and try it out—just make sure that you balance your prep with some focused studying on your weaknesses so that you can make faster progress.
Some students are great at learning the ins and outs of the SAT through practice tests alone—they recognize their mistakes, understand why they made them, and avoid making them in the future.
But most students need additional help to pinpoint their weaknesses and teach them the skills and strategies needed for success on the SAT. If practice tests aren't enough for you, download our free guide to help you figure out which SAT prep method works best for you.
Want to get a perfect SAT score? Take a look at our famous guide to a 1600, written by an expert SAT perfect-scorer.
Aiming high on each SAT section? Then read our individual, in-depth strategy guides to help you reach an 800 on SAT Reading , SAT Math , and SAT Writing .
Looking for expert strategies that can help you ace the exam? No problem. Check out our six expert tips that can help you boost your score.
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As co-founder and head of product design at PrepScholar, Allen has guided thousands of students to success in SAT/ACT prep and college admissions. He's committed to providing the highest quality resources to help you succeed. Allen graduated from Harvard University summa cum laude and earned two perfect scores on the SAT (1600 in 2004, and 2400 in 2014) and a perfect score on the ACT. You can also find Allen on his personal website, Shortform , or the Shortform blog .
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Download 6 official SAT practice tests for free. The PDF versions of linear (nonadaptive) practice test forms are recommended only for students who will test with paper-based accommodations on test day.
If you have an approved accommodation to take the digital SAT on a paper form, you can download and print the practice tests available below to practice and prepare. If you are approved for a paper braille test, contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) for a practice test.
You'll need a printer, pencil, calculator, and timer to take the full-length, linear tests.
Here are some tips:
The number of questions and standard time allotted for each section is described below. If you are approved for extended time and plan to use it when you take the SAT, you should adjust the times below accordingly when you practice.
Component | Time Allotted (minutes) | Number of Questions/Tasks |
---|---|---|
78 (two 39-minute modules) | 66 | |
86 (two 43-minute modules) | 54 | |
164 | 120 |
NOTE: The Essay is only available in certain states where it's required as part of SAT School Day administrations. If you're going to be taking the SAT on a school day, ask your counselor if it will include the Essay section.
This full-length, official SAT practice essay was written by the same people who wrote the SAT. Download it to get started.
Download student sample essays—and the explanations that show why they received the score they did—for SAT Practice Essay 1.
Sat practice essay 2 score explanations—digital.
Download student sample essays—and the explanations that show why they received the score they did—for SAT Practice Essay 2.
Sat practice essay 3 score explanations—digital.
Download student sample essays—and the explanations that show why they received the score they did—for SAT Practice Essay 3.
This full-length, linear (nonadaptive) official SAT practice test was written by the same people who wrote the SAT. Download it to get started.
This full-length, official SAT practice test was written by the same people who wrote the SAT. Download it to get started.
Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 1.
Download the answers — and the explanations that show why they are right — for SAT Practice Test 1.
Sat practice test 2–digital, scoring your sat practice test 2—digital.
Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 2.
Download the answers — and the explanations that show why they are right — for SAT Practice Test 2.
Sat practice test 3–digital, scoring your sat practice test 3—digital.
Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 3.
Download the answers — and the explanations that show why they are right — for SAT Practice Test 3.
Sat practice test 4–digital, scoring your sat practice test 4—digital.
Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 4.
Full-length sat paper practice test 5, sat practice test 5–digital, scoring your sat practice test 5—digital.
Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 5.
Download the answers — and the explanations that show why they are right — for SAT Practice Test 5.
Sat practice test 6–digital, scoring your sat practice test 6—digital.
Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 6.
Download the answers — and the explanations that show why they are right — for SAT Practice Test 6.
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Here are a couple of examples of statistics from an official SAT essay prompt, "Let There Be Dark" by Paul Bogard: Example: 8 of 10 children born in the United States will never know a sky dark enough for the Milky Way. Example: In the United States and Western Europe, the amount of light in the sky increases an average of about 6% every year.
For instance, the passage about the plastic bag ban in California (Official SAT Study Guide sample essay prompt 2, above) has a counterpoint here—you could try analyzing and writing about that article as well. Any additional articles you use for practice on the SAT essay must match the following criteria: ideally 650-750 words, although it'll ...
This version of the SAT Practice Essay is for students who will be taking the digital SAT in nondigital format. ... consider how Adam B. Summers uses • evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims. • reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence. • stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals ...
Download student sample essays—and the explanations that show why they received the score they did—for SAT Practice Essay 2. PDF; 319.18 KB; Download. SAT Practice Essay 3—Digital This full-length, official SAT practice essay was written by the same people who wrote the SAT. Download it to get started. PDF; 1.53 MB;
Step 1: Pick a side. "It is better to use cooperation to achieve success," or "it is better to use competition to achieve success." Step 2: Consider what would logically support your statement (see green boxes for a breakdown of the types of support you should use).
A complete compilation of real SAT essay prompts administered historically by the College Board for different test periods. Prompts: October 2014 - June 2015. Prompts: October 2013 - June 2014. Prompts: October 2012 - June 2013. Prompts: October 2011 - June 2012. Prompts: October 2010 - June 2011.
The SAT® Practice Essay# 1 Make time to take the practice Essay. It is one of the best ways to get ready for the SAT Essay. For information on scoring your essay, view ... crepuscular species of birds, insects, mammals, fish and reptiles. Some examples are well known—the 400 species of birds that migrate at night in North America, the sea ...
Essay Sample Response (High Scoring) "In response to our world's growing reliance on artificial light, writer Paul Bogard argues that natural darkness should be preserved in his article "Let There be dark". He effectively builds his argument by using a personal anecdote, allusions to art and history, and rhetorical questions.
Our free SAT Writing Practice Tests are each a selection of 10 to 12 questions, which will give you a cross-section of topics from the Writing section of the official SAT. You might think of them as little quizzes, which you can use to hone your skills. To get a more comprehensive idea of the concepts you need to review, try one of the Full ...
1. Prompt Structure: SAT essay prompts typically consist of a passage or excerpt followed by a question that asks you to analyze the author's argument, rhetorical strategies, or persuasive techniques. 2. Key Components: Pay attention to the main argument or thesis presented in the passage, as well as the evidence and rhetorical devices used to ...
10 Official SAT Essay Prompts For Practice. Practice Test 1. "Write an essay in which you explain how Jimmy Carter builds an argument to persuade his audience that the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge should not be developed for industry.". Practice Test 2.
All SAT Practice Tests. If you want some more in-depth prep, use a free SAT practice test listed below. Practice Exams = Timed and Full-Length. Practice Sets = Not Timed and Smaller Sets of Questions. SAT Practice Exam #1. SAT Practice Exam #2. SAT Practice Exam #3. SAT Practice Exam #4.
6 SAT PRACTICE ESSAY #3 SCORE EXPLANATIONS Student Sample 4 Adam B. Summers brings up several good points as to why plastic shoping bags should not be banned. He explains how the EPA says all plastic bags only make up 1.6 percent of all waste, and plastic shoping bags only contribute 0.3 percent to all the waste.
To summarize, your SAT essay should stick to the following format: Introduction (with your thesis) - 2-5 sentences. Start with a statement about what the author of the passage is arguing. Thesis with a clear statement about what argumentative techniques you'll be examining in the essay. Example 1 - 6-10 sentences.
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The SAT essay responds well to a formulaic approach, so while it may take some practice, you will eventually be able to handle a 25-minute essay prompt with confidence. The SAT has undergone a significant number of changes over the years, generally involving adjustments in the scoring rubric, and often in response to.
This is the argument you need to deconstruct in your essay. Writing an SAT essay consists of four major stages: Reading: 5-10 minutes. Analyzing & Planning: 7-12 minutes. Writing: 25-35 minutes. Revising: 2-3 minutes. There's a wide time range for a few of these stages, since people work at different rates.
Each of our free 60 practice questions is accompanied with a detailed explanation to clarify why a particular answer is correct, but even taking it one step further and entailing why the others are incorrect. We believe a well-rounded approach to understanding the SAT is crucial for success, which is why our breakdowns of important sample ...
Interactive Sharpen your skills with our library of thousands of practice questions, videos, lessons, and hints plus test-taking tips and strategies. High Quality Prep for every section of the digital SAT with guidance from Khan Academy's team of math, reading, and writing experts.
The SAT Essay assesses your reading comprehension, analytical writing, and persuasive writing skills. You are presented with a passage that argues a particular point of view. Your task is to analyse the author's argument and identify the key points and the methods used to support them. Q3.
3 SAT PRACTICE ESSAY #1 SCORE EXPLANATIONS Student Sample 2 In "Let there be dark," Paul Bogard talks about the importance of darkness. Darkness is essential to humans. Bogard states, "Our bodies need darkness to produce the hormone melatonin, which keeps certain cancers from developing, and our bodies need darkness for sleep, sleep.
The College Board currently offers 4 official, printable practice tests that model the new digital SAT format. Full-Length Linear Practice Test 1: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations. Full-Length Linear Practice Test 2: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations. Full-Length Linear Practice Test 3: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations.
Download 6 official SAT practice tests for free. The PDF versions of linear (nonadaptive) practice test forms are recommended only for students who will test with paper-based accommodations on test day. ... Download student sample essays—and the explanations that show why they received the score they did—for SAT Practice Essay 1. PDF; 461. ...