Comprehensive Guide to the SAT Exam Syllabus
The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a crucial step in the college admissions process, assessing skills developed throughout high school. This article provides a detailed SAT exam syllabus, outlining question types, tested topics, and effective preparation strategies. Understanding the SAT syllabus is the first step to feeling more comfortable on exam day.
Basics of the SAT
The SAT has transitioned to a digital format. The digital SAT covers two main sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. Each of these sections is broken into two modules.
The SAT assesses skills and knowledge in reading, writing, and math. The Math section covers algebra, functions, geometry, and data analysis. The Reading and Writing section assesses comprehension, reasoning, and language proficiency across short texts.
SAT Math Section Overview
The SAT math section consists of two sections, one where a calculator is not allowed and one where it is allowed. The "no calculator" section (Section 3) has 15 multiple-choice and 5 grid-in questions, while the calculator-based section (Section 4) includes 30 multiple-choice and 8 grid-in questions. Section 3 has a time limit of 25 minutes, and Section 4 has a time limit of 55 minutes.
The math section includes multiple-choice and grid-in questions. Multiple-choice questions have four answer choices (A, B, C, D). Grid-in questions require you to enter a numerical answer.
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Multiple-Choice Questions
Multiple-choice questions make up a significant portion of the SAT math section. There are 45 multiple-choice questions on the SAT.
Example:
On a multiplication quiz, students answered as many questions as they could in three minutes. Selma answered 24 more questions than Farrah. Together, they answered 66 questions. How many questions did Selma answer?
A) 21B) 24C) 42D) 45E) 52
Solution:
Let 's' be the number of questions Selma answered and 'f' be the number of questions Farrah answered.
Equation 1: s + f = 66 (Together, they answered 66 questions)Equation 2: s = f + 24 (Selma answered 24 more questions than Farrah)
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Substitute Equation 2 into Equation 1:
f + 24 + f = 662f + 24 = 662f = 42f = 21
Now, substitute f = 21 into Equation 2:
s = 21 + 24s = 45
Selma answered 45 questions.
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Answer: D
Grid-In Questions
Grid-in questions require you to bubble in the numerical answer. Some questions may have multiple correct answers. There are a total of 13 grid-in questions on the SAT.
Grid-In Rules:
- Bubble in your response.
- Only bubble numbers with a positive value.
- Use one position for the decimal point and bubble it in. Round decimal answers.
- Fractions do not have to be reduced. They can be entered conventionally or as a decimal.
Example:
For an Easter egg hunt, Zelda hid 186 eggs. The neighborhood children found 150 of the eggs during the egg hunt. What fraction of the eggs were not found?
Solution:
Number of eggs found = 150Total number of hidden eggs = 186Number of eggs not found = 186 - 150 = 36
The fraction of eggs not found is 36/186.
Reduce the fraction:
36/186 = 6/31
Convert the fraction to a decimal value:
36/186 = 0.194
Answer: 6/31 or 0.194
Major SAT Math Topics
College Board categorizes SAT math into four content areas: Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, Passport to Advanced Math, and Additional Topics in Math.
A more detailed SAT exam syllabus includes:
- Basic Arithmetic
- Linear Equations
- Quadratic Equations
- Exponents and Roots
- Inequalities
- Absolute Value
- SAT Math Word Problems
- Rates
- Unit Conversions
- Ratios
- Percents
- Statistics
- Probability
- Geometry
- Coordinate Geometry
- Functions
- Data Analysis
- Graphic Analysis
- Trigonometry
There are 19 major math topics on the SAT.
Basic Arithmetic Subtopics
Basic arithmetic serves as the foundation for SAT math preparation.
Key arithmetic subtopics:
- Fraction rules
- Decimal rules
- Basics of percents
- Basics of squares and square roots
- Estimation shortcuts
- PEMDAS
Linear Equations Subtopics
Mastering algebra is essential for the SAT math section.
Subtopics from linear equations:
- Solving equations with one variable
- Solving a system of equations for two variables
- The substitution method
- The combination method
- Expressing one variable in terms of another variable
- Cross-multiplication of equations
- Factoring out common fractions
- When an equation produces no solution, one solution, or infinite solutions
Quadratic Equations Subtopics
Quadratic equations require more knowledge and skill than linear equations.
Quadratic equations subtopics:
- FOILing quadratic equations
- Factoring quadratic equations
- Three common quadratic identities
- The Zero Product Property
- The difference of squares
- The quadratic formula
- The discriminant
- Higher order polynomials
Exponents and Roots Subtopics
Knowing exponent and root rules is crucial.
Subtopics include:
- Combining exponential expressions - multiplication and division
- The power to a power rule
- Equivalent exponents
- Scientific notation
- Perfect squares
- Simplifying non-perfect roots
- Dividing radicals
- Conjugate pairs
- Fractional exponents
- Complex numbers
Inequalities and Absolute Value Subtopics
Inequalities and absolute value share similarities with linear equations.
Subtopics:
- Equations and inequalities
- Adding and subtracting inequalities
- Multiplying an inequality by a negative number
- Compound inequalities
- Linear inequalities
- Systems of inequalities
- Absolute value equations
- Solving absolute value inequalities
- Solving absolute value equations
General Word Problems Subtopics
Mastering word problems involves translating words into equations.
Subtopics:
- Translating words into equations
- Profit and loss
- Determining the possible number of items
- Consecutive integers
- Fraction word problems
- Price and salary problems
- Inequality word problems
- Complicated word problem formulas
Unit Conversions and Rates Subtopics
Unit conversions and rates may appear in a few questions on the SAT.
Subtopics:
- Rate-time-distance problems
- Average rate questions
- Elementary rate questions
- Rate questions not involving distances
- Single-step unit conversions
- Conversions involving two sets of units
- Rate-time-distance questions involving unit conversions
Percents and Ratios Subtopics
Ratios and percents are related concepts.
Subtopics:
- Equivalent ratios
- The ratio multiplier
- Proportions
- Direct variation
- Percent of problems
- “What percent” problems
- Percent greater and percent less problems
- Percent change
Statistics
Statistics and data analysis cover basics and graphical topics.
Subtopics:
- Average (arithmetic mean), median, and mode
- Weighted average
- Range and standard deviation
- Relationship between range and standard deviation
- Grouped data and frequency tables
- Charts and graphs
- Bar graph
- Dot plot
- Margin of error
- Statistical sampling
Geometry Subtopics
Geometry is a significant topic on the SAT math section.
Coordinate Geometry Subtopics
Coordinate geometry involves graphs and equations.
Functions Subtopics
Functions are a key component of advanced math.
Trigonometry Subtopics
Trigonometry may appear in some SAT math questions.
SAT Reading and Writing Section
The Reading and Writing section lasts 64 minutes and contains 54 questions, each based on a passage. All questions are multiple choice with four answer choices. There are four main topics you'll be tested on in this section, each with a subset of question types, for a total of 11 question types. These questions measure comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills. Some questions will contain a graph or table, or two passages.
Reading Section
The reading section of the SAT is primarily based on five passages drawn from a variety of sources, generally between 500 and 750 words. To succeed, read actively and critically, noting key details and themes. Focus on reading skills to understand passages quickly and thoroughly.
Writing Section
The writing portion of the SAT is also passage-based, with passages asking for different analysis than the reading section’s passages. At least one passage is narrative, while the others are either argumentative or explanatory. All four passages are nonfiction and are between 400 and 450 words. There are two types of questions in the writing section. One type of question tasks students with improving the expression of ideas. The other type of question is straightforward editing.
