The SAT is considered a college readiness test, assessing the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in an undergraduate program. Many universities and colleges across the country require the SAT as a prerequisite.
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SAT Practice Tests by Subject
If you need some extra practice in a specific subject, click one of the subjects below to get started on a subject-specific SAT practice test.
What’s on the SAT?
The SAT includes a reading test, a math test, and a writing and language test. There are a total of 154 questions on the SAT, most of which are multiple-choice questions, and you are given 180 minutes (3 hours) to finish the test.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the exam:
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How to Study for the SAT
How to Study Effectively
Your success on SAT test day depends not only on how many hours you put into preparing but also on whether you prepared the right way. It’s good to check along the way to see whether your studying is paying off. One of the most effective ways to do this is by taking SAT practice tests to evaluate your progress. Practice tests are useful because they show exactly where you need to improve. Every time you take a free SAT practice test, pay special attention to these three groups of questions:
- The questions you got wrong
- The ones you had to guess on, even if you guessed right
- The ones you found difficult or slow to work through
This will show you exactly what your weak areas are and where you need to devote more study time. Ask yourself why each of these questions gave you trouble. Was it because you didn’t understand the material? Was it because you didn’t remember the vocabulary? Do you need more repetitions on this type of question to build speed and confidence? Dig into those questions and figure out how you can strengthen your weak areas as you go back to review the material.
Answer Explanations
Additionally, many SAT practice tests have a section explaining the answer choices. It can be tempting to read the explanation and think that you now have a good understanding of the concept. However, an explanation likely only covers part of the question’s broader context. Even if the explanation makes sense, go back and investigate every concept related to the question until you’re positive you have a thorough understanding.
Comprehend Each Topic
As you go along, keep in mind that the SAT practice test is just that: practice. Memorizing these questions and answers will not be very helpful on the actual test because it is unlikely to have any of the same exact questions. If you only know the right answers to the sample questions, you won’t be prepared for the real thing. Study the concepts until you understand them fully, and then you’ll be able to answer any question that shows up on the test.
Strategy for SAT Practice
When you’re ready to start taking practice tests, follow this strategy:
- Remove Limitations. Take the first test with no time constraints and with your notes and SAT study guide handy. Take your time and focus on applying the strategies you’ve learned.
- Time Yourself. Take the second practice test “open book” as well, but set a timer and practice pacing yourself to finish in time.
- Simulate Test Day. Take any other practice tests as if it were test day. Set a timer and put away your study materials. Sit at a table or desk in a quiet room, imagine yourself at the testing center, and answer questions as quickly and accurately as possible.
- Keep Practicing. Keep taking practice tests on a regular basis until you run out of practice tests or it’s time for the actual test. Your mind will be ready for the schedule and stress of test day, and you’ll be able to focus on recalling the material you’ve learned.
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FAQs
Q
What is a good SAT score?
A
Any score that is above 1050 is considered above average, which means that most colleges would accept it. To be more competitive as you apply to different schools, a score of at least 1350 is suggested.
Q
How long is the SAT?
A
The SAT is timed at 1 hour and 20 minutes in total.
Q
What does SAT stand for?
A
Originally, SAT stood for “Scholastic Aptitude Test,” but the acronym no longer has any specific meaning.
Q
What is the average SAT score?
A
The average SAT score is 1050.
Q
How many questions are on the SAT?
A
There are a total of 154 questions on the SAT, most of which are multiple choice.
Q
How many times can you take the SAT?
A
You may take the SAT as many times as you want. In fact, most students achieve a higher score on the test the second time they take it, so it is encouraged that you retake the exam if your score did not meet your expectations.
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