SAT in 2025 - Everything You Need to Know

Planning to take or retake the SAT in 2025? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the test format, dates, and how to prepare effectively.

What's New in 2025

The SAT continues to be administered digitally in 2025, following the transition that began in March 2024. The question types and scoring both remain the same, and the test is still fully adaptive. Here are the key points to know:

• The test remains fully adaptive, and the threshold for determining the second module difficulty is still a CollegeBoard secret. We expect it to be somewhere around 570-600 points.
• There is no essay section.
• Test difficulty has stabilized after some variations seen in 2024 tests. It should be around the same difficulty as the official practice test 5 and 6 (the most recent ones).
• Assuming you get the hard second module, expect significantly more difficult questions than the first module in both Reading and Writing and Math.

2025 SAT Test Dates

Here are the confirmed SAT test dates for 2025 and early 2026:

Test Format Overview

The SAT consists of two main sections:

Each section uses adaptive testing — your performance in Module 1 determines the difficulty of Module 2. The total score range is 400-1600, with each section scored from 200-800.

Reading and Writing Section

This section tests your comprehension, analysis, and writing skills through:

• Information and Ideas (~26%)
• Craft and Structure (~28%)
• Expression of Ideas (~20%)
• Standard English Conventions (~26%)

The Reading and Writing section challenges students in multiple ways. Questions often feature complex passages that require swift reading comprehension and analytical skills. Each question comes with its own passage, making time management crucial.

Vocabulary is tested not just through direct word meanings, but more importantly through contextual understanding. You'll need to analyze how words function within sentences and how their meanings shift based on the surrounding text. The harder questions may include archaic language or excerpts from classical literature and old English poetry, requiring familiarity with more sophisticated language patterns.

Grammar and writing mechanics are thoroughly assessed through questions about:

• Transition words and phrases to connect ideas
• Subject-verb agreement and proper verb conjugation
• Punctuation rules, including complex cases with semicolons and colons
• Sentence and paragraph organization

To succeed in this section, you'll need more than just knowledge of rules and definitions — you must be able to apply them in context while reading efficiently. We recommend reading complex texts quickly while maintaining good comprehension as practice.

For more information on the Reading and Writing section, check out our SAT Reading and Writing Guide.

Math Section

The Math section is split into two modules and is split into the following categories:

• Algebra (~35%)
• Advanced Math (~35%)
• Problem-Solving and Data Analysis (~15%)
• Geometry and Trigonometry (~15%)

You can expect math questions to test your ability to solve problems involving algebra, advanced math concepts, data analysis, and geometry. Most questions are multiple choice, but some require you to enter a free-response answer.

As part of the testing software (Bluebook app), you'll have access to a graphing calculator and reference sheet with common formulas.

Here are some of the most common question types you'll encounter:

• Solving equations and systems of equations
• Interpreting graphs and data
• Working with expressions, functions, and their graphs
• Applying geometric and trigonometric concepts

For more information on the Math section, check out our SAT Math Guide.

How to Improve Your Score

Here are key strategies to maximize your SAT performance:

1. Practice Tests

Take multiple full-length practice tests, especially Official Practice Tests 5 and 6, which best reflect the current digital format.

2. Focus on Reading and Writing First

This section typically offers the quickest score improvements. Study vocabulary in context and review grammar rules thoroughly.

3. Math Time Management

Practice solving math questions quickly and accurately. The digital format requires efficient problem-solving to complete all questions in time.

4. Target Weak Areas

Analyze your practice test results to identify and focus on question types where you consistently struggle.

Frequently Asked Questions