SAT Exam Syllabus
Preparing for the SAT often feels overwhelming because it’s hard to know exactly what to study. You might be asking: Do I need to memorize vocabulary lists? Is there calculus involved? The good news is that the new Digital SAT is incredibly structured. It doesn’t test random general knowledge; it tests specific skills you will actually use in college. In this guide, I have stripped away the complex jargon to give you a clear roadmap. Here is exactly what topics, chapters, and question types you need to master to score a 1500+ in 2025.
SAT Exam Syllabus 2025 – Section-Wise Breakdown
The Digital SAT is divided into just two main sections: Reading & Writing and Math. Unlike the old paper version, there are no separate “Writing” or “No-Calculator” sections.
Here is the high-level overview of what the exam looks like:
SAT Digital Syllabus Overview
Section | Modules | Skills Tested | Total Questions | Time Allocation |
Reading & Writing | 2 Modules | Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Reasoning | 54 Questions | 64 Minutes |
Math | 2 Modules | Algebra, Geometry, Data Analysis, Advanced Math | 44 Questions | 70 Minutes |
Total | 4 Modules | College Readiness Skills | 98 Questions | 2 Hours 14 Min |
SAT Reading & Writing Syllabus (Complete Topics List)
In this section, you will read short passages (approx. 25–150 words) and answer one question per passage. The syllabus focuses on four main content domains:
- Information & Ideas: This tests your ability to read a text and understand the “big picture.” You will need to identify the Central Idea, find specific details, and interpret evidence (including graphs or charts).
- Craft & Structure: This part checks your vocabulary and reasoning. You won’t need to memorize obscure words, but you must understand Words in Context (high-utility words). It also tests your ability to connect two different texts (Cross-Text Connections).
- Standard English Conventions: This is pure grammar. You need to fix errors in sentence structure. Key topics include Boundaries (commas, semicolons, periods) and Form, Structure, and Sense (subject-verb agreement, verb tenses).
- Expression of Ideas: These questions ask you to improve how a passage flows. You might need to use Transitions (words like “however,” “therefore”) or organize notes into a logical sentence (Rhetorical Synthesis).
SAT Math Syllabus (Complete Topics List)
The Math section is known for being straightforward if your concepts are clear. The best part? You can use a calculator for the entire section.
- Algebra (35%): This is the foundation. Topics include Linear equations in one or two variables, linear inequalities, and systems of equations. You must be comfortable with ” y = mx + b “.
- Advanced Math (35%): This sounds scary but is mostly about non-linear equations. You need to study Quadratic equations, Exponential functions, Polynomials, and absolute value equations.
- Problem-Solving & Data Analysis (15%): This tests real-world math. Topics include Percentages, Ratios, Rates, Unit conversions, and Probability. You will also need to interpret scatterplots and tables.
- Geometry & Trigonometry (15%): A smaller but crucial part. Focus on Area and Volume, Lines and Angles, Right Triangles (Pythagoras theorem), Circles, and basic Trigonometry (Sin, Cos, Tan).
Topic-Wise SAT Exam Syllabus – Detailed Table
Section | Topic Category | Detailed Sub-Topics to Study |
Reading & Writing | Craft & Structure | Words in Context, Text Structure and Purpose, Cross-Text Connections |
Reading & Writing | Information & Ideas | Central Ideas and Details, Command of Evidence (Textual), Command of Evidence (Quantitative), Inferences |
Reading & Writing | Standard English Conventions | Boundaries (Punctuation), Form, Structure, and Sense (Grammar rules) |
Reading & Writing | Expression of Ideas | Rhetorical Synthesis, Transitions |
Math | Algebra | Linear equations (1 & 2 variables), Linear functions, Systems of two linear equations, Linear inequalities |
Math | Advanced Math | Equivalent expressions, Nonlinear equations, Quadratic equations, Exponential functions, Polynomials |
Math | Problem-Solving & Data | Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, Percentages, Probability, Scatterplots, Mean/Median/Mode |
Math | Geometry & Trig | Area and volume, Lines, angles, triangles, Right triangles and trigonometry, Circles |
SAT Exam Syllabus PDF – Download Section
Many students look for a single “SAT Syllabus PDF.” While the College Board does not release a single-page syllabus, the most useful document you can download is the SAT Student Guide or the Test Specifications document.
Why download these official guides?
- Checklist: You can print the topic list and tick off chapters as you finish them.
- Offline Access: Great for studying when you don’t have internet.
- Official Wording: It shows you exactly how questions are phrased.
- Planning: Helps you create a realistic 2–3 month study plan.
Recommended: Visit the official College Board website to download the “Digital SAT Study Guide.”
Skills Tested in the Digital SAT
The syllabus isn’t just about facts; it’s about skills. Here is what the exam actually measures:
- Analytical Reading: Can you understand the author’s argument without getting distracted by details?
- Grammar Application: Can you spot a comma splice or a misplaced modifier instantly?
- Logical Reasoning: Can you look at a set of data and logically conclude what it implies?
- Math Fluency: Can you decide when to use a calculator and when to do mental math?
- Data Literacy: Can you read a graph in a science passage and use it to answer a question?
- Time Management: Can you handle the pressure of answering roughly one question every 1.5 minutes?
Changes in SAT Syllabus – Old SAT vs Digital SAT
If you have older books (from before 2024), be careful. The syllabus has changed significantly.
Feature | Old SAT (Paper) | Digital SAT (Current) |
Passages | Long (500-750 words) | Short (25-150 words) |
Calculator | Allowed in only one section | Allowed in ALL Math modules |
Math Topics | Heavy on reading long word problems | More concise; less “reading heavy” |
Reading/Writing | Separate sections | Combined into one section |
Essay | Optional Essay existed | No Essay |
Duration | 3 Hours | 2 Hours 14 Minutes |
How to Prepare Using the SAT Syllabus?
Don’t just open a book and start reading. Use the syllabus strategically.
- Section-Wise Attack: Don’t mix subjects. Spend one week mastering “Algebra” and the next on “Grammar.”
- Practice Short Passages: Old SAT practice tests are useless for Reading because the passages are too long. Use the Bluebook App for accurate practice.
- Track Weak Areas: If you keep getting “Geometry” questions wrong, go back to the syllabus and relearn the formulas for circles and triangles.
- Use Adaptive Mocks: Since the real test is adaptive, standard PDF tests can’t fully simulate the difficulty jump in Module 2.
- Focus on Calculator Skills: Learn to use the Desmos calculator (built into the exam app) to solve Algebra questions faster.
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Have a question?
The SAT syllabus covers two main sections: Reading & Writing (Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension) and Math (Algebra, Advanced Math, Data Analysis, Geometry). It focuses on college-readiness skills rather than memorization.
No. The SAT Exam Syllabus is exactly the same globally. Whether you take the test in New Delhi, New York, or London, the topics and difficulty levels are identical.
Broadly, there are 8 main topic categories: 4 in Reading & Writing (Craft & Structure, Information & Ideas, Conventions, Expression of Ideas) and 4 in Math (Algebra, Advanced Math, Data Analysis, Geometry & Trig).
Yes, you can download the “Digital SAT Student Guide” from the College Board website. It contains the detailed syllabus and sample questions.
No. There is no separate “Science” or “GK” section. However, you might see reading passages about science or history, but you only need reading skills to answer them, not outside knowledge.
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