An Insight into the SAT Exam
What is tested on the SAT?
Reading
52 Multiple Choice Questions testing critical reading and thinking skills across four genres: history, literature, natural science and the social sciences.
Writing
44 Multiple Choice Questions testing fundamental conventions of grammar and effective use of the English language.
Math
38 Questions allowing the use of a calculator and 20 without. The main topics tested are algebra, functions, data analysis and geometry.
Essay
One prompt with a time limit of 50 minutes requiring the rhetorical analysis of a given text. The SAT essay is optional –find out whether you should do it here.
An Insight into the SAT Exam
Do I need the SAT Essay?
Some universities either require or recommend completing the Essay section and use your essay score as part of their evaluation. If schools do not require the Essay but recommend it, you should still take the SAT with the Essay – it will give admissions officers another aspect of your application to evaluate you on.
If any of the schools you intend to apply to require the Essay, you must take the SAT with the Essay – failing to do so means your application will be regarded as incomplete.
Which schools require the SAT Essay?
| Recommended but not required | Most top schools (including the Ivy League, Carnegie Mellon, Johns Hopkins, MIT, NYU and UChicago) do not require the SAT Essay. Most liberal arts colleges do not require the SAT Essay – exceptions include Amherst College and Occidental College which recommend it. |
| Required / Recommended | All the University of California schools require the SAT Essay. If you are applying to any of the UCs, you must take the SAT Essay. |
- Overview
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An Insight into the SAT Exam
What is tested on the SAT?
Reading
52 Multiple Choice Questions testing critical reading and thinking skills across four genres: history, literature, natural science and the social sciences.
Writing
44 Multiple Choice Questions testing fundamental conventions of grammar and effective use of the English language.
Math
38 Questions allowing the use of a calculator and 20 without. The main topics tested are algebra, functions, data analysis and geometry.
Essay
One prompt with a time limit of 50 minutes requiring the rhetorical analysis of a given text. The SAT essay is optional –find out whether you should do it here.
- Essay Requirement
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An Insight into the SAT Exam
Do I need the SAT Essay?
Some universities either require or recommend completing the Essay section and use your essay score as part of their evaluation. If schools do not require the Essay but recommend it, you should still take the SAT with the Essay – it will give admissions officers another aspect of your application to evaluate you on.
If any of the schools you intend to apply to require the Essay, you must take the SAT with the Essay – failing to do so means your application will be regarded as incomplete.
Which schools require the SAT Essay?
Recommended but not required Most top schools (including the Ivy League, Carnegie Mellon, Johns Hopkins, MIT, NYU and UChicago) do not require the SAT Essay.
Most liberal arts colleges do not require the SAT Essay – exceptions include Amherst College and Occidental College which recommend it.Required / Recommended All the University of California schools require the SAT Essay. If you are applying to any of the UCs, you must take the SAT Essay.