The Reading Test focuses on the skills and knowledge at the heart of education: the stuff you've been learning in high school, the stuff you'll need to succeed in college. You'll read passages and interpret informational graphics.

• All Reading Test questions are multiple-choice and based on passages.
• Some passages are paired with other passages.
• Informational graphics, such as tables, graphs, and charts, accompany some passages—but no math is required.
• Prior topic-specific knowledge is never tested.
• The Reading Test is part of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section.
• One passage from a classic or contemporary work of U.S. or world literature.
• One passage or a pair of passages from either a U.S. founding document or a text in the Great Global Conversation they inspired. The U.S. Constitution or a speech by Nelson Mandela, for example.
• A selection of economics, psychology, sociology, or some other social science.
• Two science passages (or one passage and one passage pair) that examine foundational concepts and developments in Earth science, biology, chemistry, or physics.

The writing test is designed to measure a wide variety of skills including command of evidence, words in context, analysis, expression of ideas, and Standard English conventions.

• All questions are multiple choice and based on passages.
• Prior topic knowledge is never tested.
• The Writing and Language Test is part of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section.
• The writing modes of these four passages will vary: one will be narrative, one will be argumentative and at least one will be informative/explanatory. Certain passages and some questions will include tables, graphs or charts.
• There are two categories of questions. In the first, expressions of ideas, you will be asked to improve the development of the topic, the organization of information and ideas, and the effectiveness of the language. The second category is the standard English conventions. These questions will ask you to recognize and correct errors in sentence structure, grammar, usage and punctuation.

Take the Learning Tools free diagnostic test for SAT Math to determine which academic concepts you understand and which ones require your ongoing attention. Each SAT Math problem is tagged down to the core, underlying concept that is being tested.

• Most math questions will be multiple-choice, but some—called grid-ins—ask you to come up with the answer rather than select the answer.
• The Math Test is divided into two portions: Math Test-Calculator and Math Test-No Calculator.
• Heart of Algebra, which focuses on the mastery of linear equations and systems.
• Problem Solving and Data Analysis, which is about being quantitatively literate.
• Passport to Advanced Math, which features questions that require the manipulation of complex equations.
• The Math Test also draws on Additional Topics in Math, including the geometry and trigonometry most relevant to college and career readiness.

The SAT Essay shows how well you understand the passage and use it as the basis for a well-written, thought-out discussion. Take the SAT with Essay and show colleges that you're ready to come to campus.

• The SAT Essay provides a student with a great opportunity to showcase their reading, analysis and writing skills, which are fundamental to demonstrating college and career readiness.
• To complete this section, 50 minutes will be given to read a passage and write an essay analysing how the author built his or her argument.
• The passage will always be about a general topic.