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Test Format
The New SAT(2016)
The following table provides an in-depth breakdown of the new SAT:
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | Math | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sections | Reading section: 65 minutes | Writing and Language section: 35 minutes | No Calculator section: 25 minutes | Calculator section: 55 minutes |
| Questions | Reading Section: 52 Questions | Writing and Language Section: 44 Questions | No Calculator section: 20 Questions | Calculator section: 38 Questions |
| Score Range | 200-800 | 200-800 | ||
As you can see from the table above, the new SAT only has two sections—Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math. Unlike the former test, the updated SAT includes no penalty for guessing. There is also an optional essay section which is scored separately.
Essay Section
The essay section of the SAT is optional. Students are given 25 minutes to write an essay in response to a thesis which they can either defend or reject. The essay is designed to test a student’s critical thinking and writing skills, or their ability to present an argument clearly and persuasively.