SAT: all you should know

The SAT on this page is the digital test from College Board. This guide is about the SAT, not the PSAT. The published structure has two sections and does not include an essay.

Learn is entirely independent of College Board, and Learn does not offer SAT practice yet. The notes below walk through how the test is put together, how scores are calculated, and which dates remain on the current testing calendar.

The digital SAT comprises two sections: Reading and Writing, followed by Math. Across the entire exam, you will answer 98 questions over 2 hours and 14 minutes. A 10-minute break sits between the two sections.

The first section is Reading and Writing. It lasts 64 minutes and contains 54 questions, divided into two distinct 32-minute modules. In each module, 25 questions are operational and count toward your score, while 2 are unscored pretest questions.

The second section is Math. It lasts 70 minutes and contains 44 questions, divided into two 35-minute modules. In each Math module, 20 questions are operational and 2 are unscored pretest questions. Most Math questions are standard multiple choice, but some require you to enter your own numerical answer directly into the application.

For the entire Math section, you may use a calculator. You can use the built-in graphing calculator provided inside the testing application, or you may bring your own approved handheld calculator. You also have access to an official reference sheet containing common mathematical formulas directly within the testing interface.

Within any single module, you are free to move forward and backward among questions, review your work, and change answers until the timer runs out. However, once the time for that module expires, your answers are locked, and you cannot return to that module later. To understand how performance on your first module determines the questions you receive next, read our guide on SAT scoring.

Your total SAT score ranges from 400 to 1600 in 10-point intervals. This total is the direct sum of your two section scores: Reading and Writing (200 to 800) and Math (200 to 800). College Board does not report subscores or cross-test scores on the digital test.

The second module depends on how you do in the first. The SAT scoring page explains how both modules become a section score.

According to the College Board SAT dates and deadlines schedule (2026), weekend testing dates for both U.S. and international students run from October 2026 through June 2027. All registration deadlines close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

As of 31 October 2026, the 3 October test has already taken place, and the 23 October registration deadline for the 7 November test has passed. The next upcoming test date with open registration is 5 December 2026, which has a registration deadline of 20 November 2026.

Looking further ahead into 2027, the remaining test dates on the calendar are:

• 6 March 2027
• 1 May 2027
• 5 June 2027

Confirm the dates on College Board before you register. The full deadline table is on the SAT dates page.