SAT Exam Syllabus & Pattern 2026: Section-Wise Guide for Indian Students
9/13/20254 min read
What is the SAT Exam?
The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) measures skills you’ve already learned in school:
Reading & Writing – comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and reasoning
Math – algebra, data analysis, and advanced math concepts
👉 Earlier, there were two versions:
SAT General Test – still in use, focuses on Math + Reading/Writing
SAT Subject Tests – discontinued in 2021
For 2026, you only need to prepare for the Digital SAT General Test.
SAT Exam Pattern 2026: Quick Overview
Here’s a snapshot of the new SAT exam pattern 2026:
Mode: Digital (taken on computer/tablet at test centers)
Duration: 2 hours 14 minutes
Sections: 2 (Reading & Writing + Math)
Format: Multi-stage adaptive (second module adjusts to your performance in the first)
Total Questions: 98
Scoring: 400–1600 (200–800 per section)
Calculator: Allowed throughout Math section (built-in Desmos calculator available)
SAT Section-Wise Syllabus 2026
1. Reading & Writing Section
This section now combines reading comprehension and grammar into one.
Duration: 64 minutes (2 modules × 32 min each)
Questions: 54 multiple-choice questions
Skills Tested:
Reading short passages (25–150 words)
Identifying main ideas, tone, and evidence
Editing sentences for clarity and grammar
Vocabulary in context
Interpreting charts/tables alongside text
Pro Tip: Practice with short passages instead of long ones — the new format saves time but demands quick comprehension.
2. Math Section
A strong area for many Indian students, Math can push your SAT score above 1400+.
Duration: 70 minutes (2 modules × 35 min each)
Questions: 44 (MCQs + student-produced responses)
Calculator: Allowed throughout
Syllabus Topics:
Heart of Algebra: Linear equations, inequalities, functions (~13–15 Qs)
Problem Solving & Data Analysis: Ratios, percentages, probability, data sets (~13–15 Qs)
Passport to Advanced Math: Quadratics, polynomials, exponents (~13–15 Qs)
Additional Topics: Geometry, trigonometry (~5–7 Qs)
Pro Tip: Focus on Algebra + Data Analysis — together, they make up nearly half the Math section.
SAT Scoring System 2026
Total Score Range: 400–1600
Reading & Writing Score: 200–800
Math Score: 200–800
No Negative Marking: Guessing doesn’t hurt your score
Percentile Ranking: Shows how you compare with other test-takers worldwide
SAT Exam 2026 vs Old SAT
SAT Exam Syllabus & Pattern 2026 – At a Glance
The SAT exam syllabus 2026 is designed to test your core school-level knowledge, not obscure topics. With the digital shift, the test is shorter and more adaptive — giving you a better chance to focus on accuracy and time management.
How to Prepare Smartly:
Take official Digital SAT practice tests from College Board
Strengthen Math fundamentals (especially Algebra & Data Analysis)
Read short, high-quality articles daily to build reading speed
Use trusted SAT preparation books and mock tests
With consistent practice, Indian students can confidently aim for a 1400+ SAT score in 2026 — opening doors to prestigious universities in the USA, UK, Canada, and India.
What is the SAT Exam?
The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) measures skills you’ve already learned in school:
Reading & Writing – comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and reasoning
Math – algebra, data analysis, and advanced math concepts
👉 Earlier, there were two versions:
SAT General Test – still in use, focuses on Math + Reading/Writing
SAT Subject Tests – discontinued in 2021
For 2026, you only need to prepare for the Digital SAT General Test.
SAT Exam Pattern 2026: Quick Overview
Here’s a snapshot of the new SAT exam pattern 2026:
Mode: Digital (taken on computer/tablet at test centers)
Duration: 2 hours 14 minutes
Sections: 2 (Reading & Writing + Math)
Format: Multi-stage adaptive (second module adjusts to your performance in the first)
Total Questions: 98
Scoring: 400–1600 (200–800 per section)
Calculator: Allowed throughout Math section (built-in Desmos calculator available)
SAT Section-Wise Syllabus 2026
1. Reading & Writing Section
This section now combines reading comprehension and grammar into one.
Duration: 64 minutes (2 modules × 32 min each)
Questions: 54 multiple-choice questions
Skills Tested:
Reading short passages (25–150 words)
Identifying main ideas, tone, and evidence
Editing sentences for clarity and grammar
Vocabulary in context
Interpreting charts/tables alongside text
Pro Tip: Practice with short passages instead of long ones — the new format saves time but demands quick comprehension.
2. Math Section
A strong area for many Indian students, Math can push your SAT score above 1400+.
Duration: 70 minutes (2 modules × 35 min each)
Questions: 44 (MCQs + student-produced responses)
Calculator: Allowed throughout
Syllabus Topics:
Heart of Algebra: Linear equations, inequalities, functions (~13–15 Qs)
Problem Solving & Data Analysis: Ratios, percentages, probability, data sets (~13–15 Qs)
Passport to Advanced Math: Quadratics, polynomials, exponents (~13–15 Qs)
Additional Topics: Geometry, trigonometry (~5–7 Qs)
Pro Tip: Focus on Algebra + Data Analysis — together, they make up nearly half the Math section.
SAT Scoring System 2026
Total Score Range: 400–1600
Reading & Writing Score: 200–800
Math Score: 200–800
No Negative Marking: Guessing doesn’t hurt your score
Percentile Ranking: Shows how you compare with other test-takers worldwide
SAT Exam 2026 vs Old SAT
SAT Exam Syllabus & Pattern 2026 – At a Glance
The SAT exam syllabus 2026 is designed to test your core school-level knowledge, not obscure topics. With the digital shift, the test is shorter and more adaptive — giving you a better chance to focus on accuracy and time management.
How to Prepare Smartly:
Take official Digital SAT practice tests from College Board
Strengthen Math fundamentals (especially Algebra & Data Analysis)
Read short, high-quality articles daily to build reading speed
Use trusted SAT preparation books and mock tests
With consistent practice, Indian students can confidently aim for a 1400+ SAT score in 2026 — opening doors to prestigious universities in the USA, UK, Canada, and India.
