Compare SAT Specifications

Get an overview of how the new SAT differs from the one students took before March 2016. The first table compares the major features. The second table compares the number of items and testing times in each part.

Major Features Compared

Comparison of the Major Features: Pre-March-2016 SAT and New SAT
Category	Pre-March-2016 SAT	New SAT
Total Testing Time	3 hours and 45 minutes	3 hours (plus 50 minutes for the Essay [optional])
Components	Critical Reading Writing Mathematics Essay	Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Reading Test Writing and Language Test Math Essay (optional)
Important Features	Emphasis on general reasoning skills Emphasis on vocabulary, often in limited contexts Complex scoring (a point for a correct answer and a deduction for an incorrect answer; blank responses have no impact on scores)	Focus on the knowledge, skills, and understandings that research has identified as most important for college and career readiness and success Greater emphasis on the meaning of words in extended contexts and on how word choice shapes meaning, tone, and impact Rights-only scoring (no penalty for guessing)
Essay	Required and given at the beginning of the SAT 25 minutes to write the essay Tests writing skill; students take a position on a presented issue	Optional and given at the end of the SAT; postsecondary institutions determine whether they will require the Essay for admission 50 minutes to write the essay Tests reading, analysis, and writing skills; students produce a written analysis of a provided source text
Score Reporting	Scale ranging from 600 to 2400 Scale ranging from 200 to 800 for Critical Reading; 200 to 800 for Mathematics; 200 to 800 for Writing Essay results scaled to multiple-choice Writing	Scale ranging from 400 to 1600 Scale ranging from 200 to 800 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing; 200 to 800 for Math; 2 to 8 on each of three dimensions for Essay Essay results reported separately
Subscore Reporting	None	Subscores for every test, providing added insight for students, parents, admission officers, educators, and counselors

Test Length and Timing Compared

Comparison of Test Length and Timing: Pre-March-2016 SAT and New SAT
Pre-March-2016 SAT			New SAT
Component	Time Allotted (min.)	Number of Questions/ Tasks	Component	Time Allotted (min.)	Number of Questions/ Tasks
Critical Reading	70	67	Reading	65	52
Writing	60	49	Writing and Language	35	44
Essay	25	1	Essay (optional)	50	1
Mathematics	70	54	Math	80	58
Total	225	171	Total	180 (230 with Essay)	154 (155 with Essay)

Score Structure

With more scores, the new SAT helps colleges form a clearer picture of you and your readiness for college. Learn about the SAT’s place in the vertical score scale that spans all tests in the SAT Suite of Assessments.

Did You Take the SAT Before March 2016?

You took a different SAT, with a different score scale. Learn how your test was scored.

SAT Score Ranges for the New SAT

SAT Score Reported	Details	Score Range
Total score	Sum of the two section scores.	400–1600
Section scores (2)	Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math.	200–800
Test scores (3)	Reading, Writing and Language, and Math.	10–40
SAT Essay scores (3) The SAT Essay is optional.	Reading, Analysis, and Writing.	2–8
Cross-test scores (2)	Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science. Based on selected questions in the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Tests. These scores show how well you use your skills to analyze texts and solve problems in these subject areas.	10–40
Subscores (7)	Reading and Writing and Language: Command of Evidence and Words in Context. Writing and Language: Expression of Ideas and Standard English Conventions. Math: Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Passport to Advanced Math.	1–15