SAT & PSAT Structure & Question Types
SAT & PSAT Test Structure
| Sections | Types of Questions | Number of Questions | Time |
| Critical Reading | Sentence Completion Passage-based Reading Total Reading Questions |
19 48 67 |
70 min. (two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section) |
| Writing | Identifying Sentence Errors Improving Sentences Improving Paragraphs Essay Writing Total Writing Questions |
18 25 6 1 Essay 49 + Essay |
60 min. (two 25-minute sections and one 10-minute section) |
| Math | Multiple-choice Grid-ins Total Math Questions |
44 10 54 |
70 min. (two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section) |
| Total | 3 hrs. 45 min. | ||
SAT & PSAT Question Types
There are two types of questions on the Math section of the SAT & PSAT:
- Multiple-Choice Questions
- Grid-in Questions
Both question types measure your child’s ability to:
- Understand and apply mathematical concepts to problems
- Reason and solve real-life Math problems
The directions and format for the Multiple-Choice Questions are as follows:
Directions:
For this section, solve each problem and decide which is the best of the choices given. Fill in the corresponding circle on the answer sheet. You may use any available space for scratch work.
For this section, solve each problem and decide which is the best of the choices given. Fill in the corresponding circle on the answer sheet. You may use any available space for scratch work.
- The use of a calculator is permitted.
- All numbers used are real numbers.
- Figures that accompany problems in the test are intended to provide information useful in solving the problems. They are drawn as accurately as possible EXCEPT when it is stated in a specific problem that the figure is not drawn to scale. All figures lie in a plane unless otherwise indicated.
- Unless otherwise specified, the domain of any function f is assumed to be the set of all real numbers x for which f(x) is a real number.
SAT Reference Information
The information below is provided on the SAT. However, it is important for students to know when and how to use these formulas without having to review them during test time. Students should use the reference information on an as needed basis, if necessary.
The directions and format for the Grid-ins Questions are as follows:
