how long is the sat test with essay

How Long Is the SAT?

Last Updated on April 20, 2023

The SAT booklet is the same length and width as standard U.S. Letter paper. So, the SAT is about 11 inches long (and 8.5 inches wide) … Ha!

Now that we’re all smiling, let’s dive into the two closely interrelated meanings of “How long is the SAT?” that you came here for:

• Duration: How much time does the SAT take ?
• Total volume: How many questions are on the SAT?

We’ll also touch on other factors related to SAT timing, including scheduled start time, breaks, and proctors’ warnings.

Here are the topics we’ll cover:

What is the total testing time, how long does the sat last, start to finish, how long will i spend in the test center.

• What Warnings Will My Proctor Give?

When Should I Get to the Test Center?

Who completes the essay, what is the length of the sat with essay, what’s next.

Let’s start by taking a look at how long each section of the SAT is.

How Long Are the SAT Test Sections?

The 2022-2023 SAT will have four sections. As shown on the College Board website , the sections will always appear in the same order, with the following durations:

The total testing time for all four sections of the 2022-2023 SAT (without the essay)—for the test sections only, NOT counting breaks—is 180 minutes.

The total testing time for the 2022-2023 SAT (without the essay) is exactly 3 hours.

When Are the Breaks During the SAT?

There are two scheduled breaks between sections:

• Between Sections 1 and 2 , the two verbal sections, you’ll get a 10-minute break .
• Between Sections 3 and 4 , the two math sections , you’ll get a 5-minute break .

Pay attention to the designated areas where you need to stay during the SAT. During these two breaks, you’ll most likely be restricted to the testing area, restrooms, and the adjoining hallway. If you stray from the designated areas, or if you’re overheard discussing any part of the exam with others, you’ll be dismissed and your scores will be voided!

Including breaks, the 2022-2023 SAT will last 195 minutes, or 3 hours and 15 minutes.

This is definitely more of a marathon than a sprint! So, at home before the test, be sure to eat a nutritious, well-balanced meal that is rich in both protein and complex carbohydrates. (But don’t stuff yourself.) This type of meal will be the ideal breakfast to fuel your brain for the duration of the SAT, so you’re unlikely to ‘crash’ partway through the test or experience big swings in your alertness. A balanced breakfast can also help regulate your stress levels during the SAT .

From start to finish, including breaks, the 2022-2023 SAT lasts for 3 hours and 15 minutes.

The entire duration of your 2022-2023 SAT experience on test day will include the time needed for preliminary procedures: filling out your personal information on the answer sheet, signing and dating your forms, and going over rules and procedures with your proctor.

These initial formalities should take about half an hour, for a grand total of 3 hours and 45 minutes of closed-door time inside the test center.

Since you can be admitted up to 15 minutes early, you could be inside the test center for up to 4 hours.

How Can I Track Time During the SAT?

Your testing area should have at least one clock prominently displayed where you can easily see it without having to wheel around or crane your neck.

In addition, your proctor will issue a predetermined set of time cues out loud for all test-takers to hear.

What Time Warnings Will My Proctor Give?

Here is the entire slate of time cues that your proctor will be instructed to speak aloud.

SECTION 1: Reading (65 minutes)

At the beginning: Time starts now.

After 30 minutes: You have 35 minutes remaining in Section 1.

After 60 minutes: You have 5 minutes remaining in Section 1.

After 65 minutes: Please stop work and put your pencil down.

10-Minute Break

The proctor should post the clock time that ends the break, when testing will resume. The proctor will not be required to give any time cues out loud during the break.

SECTION 2: Writing & Language (35 minutes)

After 15 minutes: You have 20 minutes remaining in Section 2.

After 30 minutes: You have 5 minutes remaining in Section 2.

After 35 minutes: Please stop work and put your pencil down.

SECTION 3: Math, No Calculator (25 minutes)

After 10 minutes: You have 15 minutes remaining in Section 3.

After 20 minutes: You have 5 minutes remaining in Section 3.

After 25 minutes: Please stop work and put your pencil down.

5-Minute Break

The proctor should post the time when testing will resume. The proctor will not necessarily issue any cues aloud.

SECTION 4: Math, With Calculator (55 minutes)

After 25 minutes: You have 30 minutes remaining in Section 4.

After 50 minutes: You have 5 minutes remaining in Section 4.

After 55 minutes: Please stop work and put your pencil down.

Your proctor will issue spoken time warnings on the schedule above. These will be valuable no matter what, but especially if there is any issue with the clocks in your testing room.

For Saturday administrations of the 2022-2023 SAT, the doors at your test center will open by 7:45 AM. The doors will close at 8:00 AM sharp.

Don’t be late! If you arrive after the doors close, you’ll be turned away and your test will be canceled.

What About the Optional Essay?

The optional SAT essay of previous years is no more. The weekend administrations of the 2022-2023 SAT, on nationwide test dates, will not offer an essay section.

However, there is a small group of test-takers in certain states who will, in fact, see an essay on their 2022-2023 SAT. If you’re one of these test-takers, you’ll write the essay as an additional section, after you finish the four sections that make up the SAT without essay.

The only 2022-2023 SAT administrations with an essay will be given during school hours, in states that have adopted the SAT as part of their mandatory statewide 11th grade public-school assessment testing. These states are Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma.

If you’re a rising junior at a public high school in one of these states, you’ll take the SAT with essay at school sometime in March or April 2023. If that’s you, please check with your high school guidance counselor or your college admissions advisor for exact test dates and times.

If you’re one of the “chosen few” who will take the 2022-2023 SAT with essay, you’ll have all the same timings and proctor cues as above, plus an additional 2-minute break and a 50-minute period during which to plan and write your essay.

Therefore, for these in-school administrations, the following times apply:

• The total testing time will be 230 minutes (3 hours and 50 minutes).
• The total duration from start to finish will be 247 minutes (4 hours and 7 minutes).
• Your total time spent inside the testing area will be at least 277 minutes (4 hours and 37 minutes).

Good luck, and enjoy your test prep!

Now that you know everything about SAT testing time, check out some tips for motivating yourself to study for the SAT .

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About The Author

Ron is an inveterate strategist who has always delighted in discovering ‘hacks’ in every corner of his life—cracking standardized tests, charting optimal routes through Southern California's infamous traffic, finding and negotiating bargains, tweaking his own diet and sleep patterns, and more. And in his very first teaching job, back in high school sharing SAT strategies with his own classmates, Ron found the same passion for paying his accumulated knowledge forward. Since those days, Ron has taught in high-school and college classrooms, coached youth track-and-field athletes, and, of course, made a career in test preparation. Ron enjoys long trips on the open road; a bewildering variety of music, from classical to hip-hop to forró to electrocumbia; sharp, well-fitted, and slightly idiosyncratic outfit choices, on himself and others alike; 105-115ºF (40-45ºC) summer days with endless sunshine; and, most of all, building a life with his wife, muse, and kindred spirit, Sarah.

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How Long is the SAT? Your Top Timing Strategies

Featured Expert: Alexia Olguin, University of Pennsylvania

How long is the SAT? Understanding the test's structure and duration is vital to getting a good SAT score . We provide a comprehensive guide on how long the SAT is, how its time is distributed across sections, and strategies for optimizing your speed and performance. Remember, achieving a top SAT score isn't just about studying hard; it's also about understanding the test's structure and planning your approach accordingly. And if you’re still wondering whether you should write the SAT or ACT , this article will help you make this decision.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

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Article Contents 11 min read

How long is the sat what content is covered.

While the SAT is slowly releasing its hold on post-secondary institutions (even the easiest Ivy League schools to get into made their admissions test-optional), it is still quite widely used in college admissions in the US. This standardized test claims to measure your literacy, numeracy, and writing skills — all of which are deemed essential for academic success in college.

The total duration of the SAT is 3 hours (180 minutes) for the main sections. However, if you choose to take the optional Essay section, the test lasts 3 hours and 50 minutes.

The main sections of the SAT are Evidence-Based SAT Reading , Writing and Language , and SAT Math , which is further split into sections with and without a calculator. The Essay section, if taken, is the last part of the test.

Want to know how to make your college essay stand out and what do you need to avoid? Watch this video:

SAT Sections

The SAT is composed of various sections, each with its unique set of guidelines, types of questions, and allotted time. Understanding these components is vital as it helps you devise a plan for each section and manage your time effectively during the test. Here, we will explore each section in detail, discussing the number of questions, the academic disciplines each covers, and what each section aims to assess.

Reading Section

The Reading Section of the SAT consists of 52 questions to be answered in 65 minutes. This section aims to test your reading comprehension skills. The questions are based on five passages, which include one literature passage, two science passages, one historical document, and two social science passages. Here's a closer look at what the Reading section comprises:

Academic Disciplines:

• Social sciences (such as economics, psychology, and sociology)
• Natural sciences (such as biology, chemistry, and physics)
• U.S. and World Literature
• U.S. Founding Documents or a text in the Great Global Conversation

The Reading section is claimed to test your ability to:

• Understand words and phrases in context
• Understand the purpose and main idea of a passage
• Understand relationships between parts of a text
• Identify the author's argument or claim
• Interpret data and information presented in different formats, such as tables or graphs

The Writing and Language Section consists of 44 questions, which need to be completed in 35 minutes. All questions in this section are multiple-choice and are based on passages.

• Social studies

The Writing and Language section is claimed to test your ability to:

• Understand grammar rules and conventions in English
• Understand words in context
• Analyze and edit passages at the sentence and paragraph level
• Understand the development, organization, and effective language use in written English

Math Section

The Math Section is divided into two components: one that allows calculator use (38 questions, 55 minutes) and one that doesn’t (20 questions, 25 minutes). The questions in this section are both multiple-choice and grid-in types.

• Problem-solving and Data Analysis
• Advanced Math
• Additional Topics (geometry, trigonometry, and complex numbers)

The Math section is claimed to test your ability to:

• Understand mathematical concepts and apply mathematical principles to solve problems
• Interpret and analyze data to solve problems
• Understanding the structure of expressions and being able to analyze, manipulate, and rewrite these expressions

Essay (Optional)

The Essay section, though optional, is recommended for students applying to colleges that require an SAT essay score. You have 50 minutes to read a passage and analyze how the author built an argument in the provided text.

This section is claimed to test your ability to:

• Comprehend a source text
• Analyze how the author builds a persuasive argument
• Write a clear and coherent essay that deconstructs an argument

Time management plays a crucial role in achieving a high score on the SAT. With a limited timeframe to answer a vast array of questions, strategic planning is key. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your time during the test:

1. Practice in a Timed Environment

Familiarizing yourself with the SAT's timing structure can significantly reduce stress on the actual test day. Take several practice tests under the same time constraints you'll face during the SAT, in the same kind of environment. This will help you understand the pacing of the test and gauge how long you can spend on each question. By doing this regularly, you'll gradually increase your speed and efficiency.

2. Strategic Ordering

There's no rule stating you must answer the questions in the order they're presented. A strategic approach would be to first tackle the questions you find easy or are confident about, then move on to the more difficult ones. This method ensures you garner as many points as possible within a short time and prevents you from getting stuck on a challenging question early on.

3. Figure Out Your Answer Before Looking at the Multiple-Choice Options

For multiple-choice questions, try to come up with your answer before looking at the provided options. This strategy can prevent you from being swayed by incorrect answers that may appear plausible at first glance. Once you have your answer, you can look at the options and select the one that best matches. This way, you're relying on your knowledge rather than guesswork.

Strategies for Improving Passage Analysis in SAT Reading Section

Mastering the art of passage analysis is essential for performing well in the SAT Reading section. It involves understanding the main points, identifying significant details, interpreting the author's purpose, and making logical inferences. Below are three strategies that could enhance your passage analysis skills:

1. Highlighting

While going through a passage, it is beneficial to highlight or underline key phrases, arguments, or points of view. This strategy helps keep track of the central theme, main characters, or any shifts in tone or perspective throughout the passage. However, avoid over-highlighting. Try to mark only critical details that contribute directly to the main point or theme of the passage. This way, when you need to refer back to the passage for a question, you can quickly identify the relevant information.

2. Contextualizing the Information

When you read a passage, try to understand it within its broader context. This means considering who the author is, the potential audience, the historical or social setting, and the overall purpose of the text. Pay attention to any given information about the source of the passage. All these factors can influence the message, tone, and language of the passage. Moreover, understanding the context can also help you infer the meanings of unfamiliar words or phrases.

3. What Should I Do If I Don’t Understand the Passage?

It's possible that you'll encounter complex or challenging passages on the SAT. When this happens, don't panic or waste too much time trying to understand every detail. Start by identifying the main idea of the passage. If necessary, reread the first and last sentences of each paragraph, as these often contain the core arguments. Break down complex sentences into smaller parts, and try to understand each part. Then, move on to the questions. Many times, the questions will guide you back to the specific details or parts of the passage that are crucial for answering them. Lastly, practice reading a variety of texts, including historical documents, scientific reports, and literary pieces, to familiarize yourself with different writing styles and structures.

Strategies for Improving Your Speed in SAT Writing and Language Section

The SAT Writing and Language section demands a balance between speed and accuracy. It consists of 44 questions that must be answered within 35 minutes, which equates to less than a minute per question. Hence, improving your speed without sacrificing precision is crucial. Below are some strategies to help you boost your pace:

1. Familiarize Yourself with the Question Types

The SAT Writing and Language section primarily tests your understanding of grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and argument development. By understanding the types of questions you'll face, you can quickly identify what each question is asking and avoid wasting time trying to figure it out. Practice frequently with sample questions to get the hang of each type.

2. Read Actively and Purposefully

Instead of reading the entire passage first, read the relevant sentence or surrounding sentences for each question. Look for grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, or inconsistencies in the information provided. Reading actively allows you to stay focused and pick up the needed information quickly.

3. Answer Questions in Order

The questions in the SAT Writing and Language section are generally in the order of the passage. Answering questions sequentially can save time since it enables a smooth, logical flow of reading without needing to jump back and forth in the passage.

4. Use the Process of Elimination

Often, it's easier to identify the wrong answers than the correct one. Eliminate options that are clearly incorrect due to grammatical errors, redundancy, inconsistency with the passage, or other discernible reasons. This narrows down your choices and speeds up the decision-making process.

5. Trust Your Initial Judgment

Your first instinct is often correct, especially if you've prepared well. If an answer choice seems right immediately, it probably is. Don't waste time second-guessing yourself unless you have a good reason to do so.

6. Practice under Timed Conditions

Regular practice under timed conditions can significantly improve your speed. It can help you get used to the pace of the test, understand how much time you can afford for each question, and learn to make quicker decisions.

Strategies for Improving Your Speed in the SAT Math Section

The SAT Math section demands precision and speed. You need to answer 58 questions in 80 minutes, which equates to about 1.5 minutes per question. Here are some tips that can help you increase your pace without compromising accuracy:

1. Master Key Math Concepts

The SAT Math section tests specific math concepts, such as algebra, problem-solving and data analysis, geometry, and some trigonometry. Familiarize yourself with these topics. The better your understanding, the faster you will be able to identify and use the correct strategies to solve problems.

2. Know Your Formulas

While the SAT provides some formulas at the start of the Math section, it doesn't include all the formulas you might need. Memorize commonly used formulas that aren't provided so you won't waste time trying to recall them during the test.

3. Understand the Question

SAT Math questions often contain extra information or are worded in ways that make them seem more complex than they are. Take the time to understand what is being asked before jumping into calculations. This can save you from time-consuming mistakes.

4. Develop Mental Math Skills

Practice doing simple calculations in your head to save time. The less you rely on a calculator for basic operations, the faster you can solve problems.

5. Use Your Calculator Wisely

While a calculator is a useful tool, it can also be a time sink if not used strategically. Use your calculator for complex calculations but rely on your mental math skills for simpler ones.

6. Practice Grid-In Questions

The SAT includes "grid-in" questions where you calculate the answer and fill it in on a grid. These questions can be time-consuming because they require manual entry of answers. Practice these types of questions so you can do them more quickly on test day.

7. Skip Difficult Questions

Don't spend too much time on a single difficult question. Instead, skip it and move on to the next question. You can return to it later if you have time.

8. Regular Timed Practice

The more you practice under timed conditions, the better you'll get at managing your time. Use practice tests to gauge your speed and figure out where you need to improve.

Writing the optional essay on the SAT can be a daunting task, especially with the time constraint. You have 50 minutes to read a 650-750 word passage, analyze the author's argument, and write an essay. Here are some strategies to help you improve your speed:

1. Understand the Task

You're not being asked to agree or disagree with the author's argument, but to analyze how they build their argument. Understanding this can save you time as you won't spend time crafting your own argument.

2. Read Actively

As you read the passage, underline or mentally note persuasive elements such as evidence, reasoning, and stylistic or persuasive devices used by the author. This will save you time when you start writing your analysis.

3. Plan Your Essay

Spend some time planning your essay before you start writing. Identify your thesis statement and the examples you'll use to support it. A clear plan will make your writing more efficient.

4. Practice Writing by Hand

If you're not used to writing by hand, it can slow you down on test day. Practice writing essays by hand to improve your speed and ensure your hand doesn't get too tired during the actual test.

5. Be Concise

Avoid unnecessary verbosity. Being concise in your writing will help you cover more points in less time.

6. Practice Under Timed Conditions

Like with every other section of the SAT, practice makes perfect. Regularly practice writing SAT-style essays under timed conditions. Over time, this will help you get a sense of how much you can write within the allocated time and improve your writing speed.

7. Proofread, if Time Allows

If you have time, quickly read through your essay to correct any obvious mistakes. But don't spend too much time on this. It's better to have a fully developed, slightly flawed essay than an incomplete but flawless one.

How to Prepare for the Test Day?

Preparing for the SAT involves more than just studying the content; it also requires logistical and mental preparation. Here are some key tips:

• Plan Your Test Day: Know the location of your test center, its distance from your home, and the time it takes to reach there. This planning can help prevent last-minute stress.
• Get a Good Night's Sleep: It's essential to be well-rested for the test. A good night's sleep can significantly enhance your performance.
• Pack Essential Items: Pack all necessary items, such as your admission ticket, photo ID, pencils, erasers, calculator, snacks, and a watch (without an audible alarm), the night before the test to avoid rushing on the morning of the test.
• Stay Calm and Confident: Maintaining a positive mindset is critical. Even if you encounter challenging questions, stay calm, use your strategies, and do your best.

Knowing what to expect on the day of your SAT test can significantly reduce stress and enable you to perform at your best. In addition to the academic preparations, familiarize yourself with the procedures and regulations that will be enforced on test day.

Test Center Closings

Stay updated on any test center closings leading up to your test day. Check the center's website on the morning of your test to ensure it hasn't closed or relocated.

Arrival and Entry

Test centers open their doors at 7:45 a.m. Arrival after 8 a.m. will result in denial of entry. If you're late or absent, consider rescheduling instead of re-registering as it is often cheaper. Ensure you arrive prepared with all necessary items.

Testing Process

Testing begins between 8:30 and 9 a.m. The proctor will assign seats and read instructions from a manual. They can only answer procedural questions, not those about test content. Work within the time constraints for each section, without skipping ahead or returning to previous sections. Once the test is complete, wait for the proctor to collect and account for all test materials before you are dismissed. Remember, your test experience may differ from those around you due to variations in test book sections.

Usually, there are two breaks during the test: one for 10 minutes and another for 5 minutes. These are the only times you can consume food and drinks. Keep your ID and admission ticket with you at all times. All test materials must remain on your desk during breaks, and you cannot use break times to use electronic devices, as doing so could result in score cancellation.

Testing typically concludes around noon.

Electronic Devices

It's essential to respect rules around mobile phones and other electronic devices. Violation of these policies may result in immediate dismissal, score cancellation, or both.

Remember the following:

• Test administrators may collect and hold prohibited devices during the test, including during breaks.
• If your device makes noise, or if you are seen using it or attempting to access it at any time, you risk immediate dismissal, score cancellation, and the possible confiscation of your device.
• The College Board is not liable for loss or damage to personal items, including electronic devices, at the test center.

The SAT test lasts a total of 3 hours without the essay and 3 hours 50 minutes with the essay, including breaks.

The time allotted for each SAT section is 65 minutes for Reading, 35 minutes for Writing and Language, 25 minutes and 55 minutes for Math (with two separate sections), and 50 minutes for the optional Essay.

Improving your speed during the SAT involves knowing the format of the test, practicing time management strategies, identifying your strengths and weaknesses, and completing practice questions under timed conditions.

Preparing for SAT test day involves familiarizing yourself with the format and timing of the SAT, practicing with sample tests, getting a good night's sleep, eating a healthy breakfast, and ensuring you arrive at the testing center with plenty of time to spare.

Yes, scheduled breaks are built into the SAT. There is one 10-minute and one 5-minute break during the test.

If you don't finish a section in the given time, you will have to move on to the next one. Unanswered questions can negatively impact your score, so it's crucial to manage your time effectively.

Yes, you are allowed to bring a watch to the test center. However, the watch cannot have a separate timing device, cannot make noise, and cannot be a smartwatch.

Effective time management strategies include: understanding the test format, prioritizing questions, practicing pacing, using the process of elimination, and not spending too much time on a single question.

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How Long the SAT Is and How to Manage That Time

The college admissions test is three hours long and divided into three sections.

Getty Images

Students have 1 minute and 10 seconds per question, but some problems on the SAT exam are more difficult and may require additional time.

For some students, the SAT may seem like it lasts forever, but the exam actually lasts three hours.

That time doesn't include one 10-minute break and one five-minute break. Experts say that how time is managed on each section is key to earning a high score.

"Don't think the clock is your enemy; you need to know how to work it," says Jed Applerouth, founder and president of Georgia-based Applerouth Tutoring Services LLC, which offers SAT prep as one of its services.

The test consists of three sections: reading, writing and language, and math. The 65-minute reading section is comprised of 52 multiple-choice questions; the writing and language section that lasts 35 minutes has 44 multiple-choice questions; and the 80-minute math test features 58 questions, 45 of which are multiple-choice and 13 that require a student-produced response.

Until recently, the SAT included an optional essay that added another 50 minutes. The essay, which experts note wasn't widely required by colleges, will no longer be available after June. Optional subject tests that each take an hour to complete have also been cut, though international students will still be able to take them in May and June.

While the majority of colleges were no longer requiring the SAT essay , many students still opted in. According to data from the College Board, which administers the SAT, 57% of nearly 2.2 million test-takers from the class of 2020 completed the essay. That number was higher in the prior year, which unlike 2020 wasn't marked by mass test date cancellations prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. For the class of 2019, 64% of the more than 2.2 million students who took the SAT that year completed the essay.

Dropping the optional essay will likely benefit students, some test prep experts say.

"Eliminating the SAT essay will save students time: preparation time, practice time, and time on official administrations. That will benefit students," Applerouth says. "Students will no longer need to save as much time on a Saturday to give to testing. They'll be getting an hour of their day back each time they have a practice or official test. That is meaningful. And shorter tests require less mental stamina."

Additionally, Applerouth says, "eliminating SAT subject tests will simply save students time and energy they would have invested in preparation and practice. This simplifies preparation and the testing calendar."

Time Management on the SAT

Part of a successful test strategy, experts say, includes knowing how much time should be spent on each question. Students have an average of about 1 minute and 10 seconds per question, but some problems on the SAT exam are more difficult and may take longer.

"You should allocate your time toward answering those easy questions that you can knock out first, and then go back to the hard questions, which you can answer later, which involves more time allocation," says Mai Jumamil, former director of college prep programs at New York-based Kaplan Test Prep. "You have to sort out these types of questions that you're answering, understand the difficulty level and be able to answer accordingly with that time constraint."

Experts caution students against spending too much time at the beginning of each section and not leaving enough for later questions.

"I think they are spending too much time early on second-guessing themselves, going back and forth, and before they know it, they've lost that time," says Joe Korfmacher, director of college counseling at Collegewise, an admissions consulting company headquartered in California.

For time-strapped students, one option is to simply guess in order to answer as many questions as possible. While not an ideal scenario, Korfmacher notes that the SAT no longer has a guessing penalty , which may allow students to raise their scores slightly when they are running out of time.

Applerouth also advises test-takers to learn their natural pacing. With practice, he says, students can learn how long it takes them to answer questions and be able to gauge when a minute or so has passed.

"Your watch is definitely one of your key tools to help with time management," Applerouth says.

Keep in mind, however, test-day restrictions such as a ban on devices that can be used to record, transmit, receive or play back content. The College Board lists restrictions on smartwatches and other prohibited materials on its Test Day Checklist webpage .

Other advice offered by the College Board includes what to bring, what to expect and when to arrive. According to the College Board website, test center doors open at 7:45 a.m. and testing begins between 8:30 and 9 a.m. Dismissal is typically around noon.

How to Get Ready for Test Day

Outside of test-taking and time-management strategies, experts say other factors can influence a student's SAT score.

A common performance handicap for busy high school students? Lack of sleep, test-prep pros say.

"It's essential that students get enough sleep because that is going to affect their ability to sustain that focus for that period of time," Applerouth says.

He adds that high school students aren't typically asked to lock into one task for three hours. Success, he says, often requires several rounds of practice tests to develop the endurance to focus for that long.

"A lot of the practice is building that cognitive muscle to stay focused," Applerouth says.

Another overlooked factor that can lower an SAT score ? Hunger. Applerouth encourages students to bring a snack to enjoy during each break to keep their energy and glucose levels up, which will help them power through the long exam.

Keeping stress levels down is also important, says Korfmacher, who has heard of students using meditation and other calming techniques. Students should remain relaxed and confident, he says, knowing that they have prepared well for the exam.

"I tell my kids that half the battle is to just believe in yourself," Korfmacher says.

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SAT, ACT & College Admissions

• How Long Is the SAT?
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• Gauge What's a Good SAT Score
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• How to Read Your ACT Score Report

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The SAT recently revamped itself to more accurately test what students learn in school. The new version is less deliberately tricky and confusing, but it’s still a challenging, exhausting test. Let’s say you’ve taken both the ACT and the SAT and you perform better on the SAT. Now that you’ve chosen it as your go-to test, how do you get through the essay portion, especially if you hate writing?

Fun fact: the SAT has plenty of new practice tests , which include essays. For the purposes of this post, I’ll be working from this practice essay , so it might be useful to have it open as you read. We’ll go through what’s expected, what scoring looks like, and how to go about writing the best essay you can.

Understand What You’re Being Asked to Do

The new SAT no longer asks you to make up ideas and references from scratch (which, honestly, is probably for the best). Instead, it provides you with an essay and asks you to analyze it, much in the same vein as an in-class analytical or an AP English Language essay.

The Assignment

The assignment reads as follows. At the top you’ll see a generic introduction for what to look for as you read:

As you read the passage below, consider how (the author of the passage) uses:

• evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims.
• reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence.
• stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power to the ideas expressed.

Then, at the bottom, the instructions get specific. For this essay, they read like this:

Write an essay in which you explain how Bobby Braun builds an argument to persuade his audience that the US government must continue to invest in NASA. In your essay, analyze how Braun uses one or more of the features listed in the box above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of his argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage. Your essay should not explain whether you agree with Braun’s claims, but rather explain how Braun builds an argument to persuade his audience.

What does this mean? Essentially, as you read, pick out the techniques the author uses to make his or her point, then write a detailed essay that covers a couple of the main ones. Brush up on your knowledge of literary terms and devices well in advance of writing the SAT essay. You don’t have to know them all, but know the most commonly used ones really well (tone, diction, imagery, simile/metaphor, allusion, rhetorical question, anecdote, and symbolism, to name a few) so you can rely on those. In an argumentative essay, like this one, an author will always use tone, diction (choice of words), and some kind of persuasion technique (Logos? Pathos? Ethos? Anecdote? etc.).

How is the essay scored? Two testers will read your essay and will provide a score of 1-4 on three different benchmarks: reading, analysis, and writing.

Did the writer understand the content? Did they quickly summarize the argument/point and then move quickly into their interpretation of it? Did they paraphrase and directly quote?

Did the writer not only identify the right literary terms/devices but assess their uses effectively? In other words, did the writer understand why the author used those devices and say so? Did the analysis integrate into the rest of the essay?

Is there a strong thesis, body paragraphs for each device, and a quick conclusion? (More on organization below.) Is the writing “strong,” i.e., sentence variety, no unnecessary words or repetition, strong words, and sophisticated reasoning?

The testers’ scores are then added together for an aggregate final score. So, a top score would be 8/8/8.

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Final Thoughts

Unless you’re being given extra time, you have exactly 50 minutes to complete the essay. This sounds like a lot (and it’s more than it used to be), but don’t be fooled. You’ll use the time.

Students with special accommodations might be able to take the test on a computer, but otherwise it’s a written test. Your test booklet will be scanned into a computer. If you make a mistake, don’t erase your work, because it causes smudges and can make it hard for the tester to read. Simply cross out and rewrite. The testers are trained not to read crossed-out material. If you’ve been told your handwriting is impossible to read, write a little more slowly than you might otherwise. Choose the style that’s more legible for you: print or cursive. When you write practice tests, give it to someone and ask if they can read it.

You’ll take the SAT essay last, after every other section has been completed. So you’ll be exhausted. There’s no way around that, unfortunately, beyond bringing snacks and water on test day and walking around during breaks to take the focus off your brain for a couple minutes. Practice is key; you’ll want to be able to read an essay quickly, pull out devices, and write a straightforward essay with a minimum of confusion and anxiety. Only practice and memorization of the right information will get you there.

As you prepare to take the SAT, take a look at some example essays that scored highly. It won’t be the same subject matter, but the structure and language will be aspects you can emulate.

Read with the Assignment in Mind

Imagine that your proctor has told you to turn to the essay section. You already know the basic assignment, so you can actually skip the top introduction and dive right in to the essay. Don’t get bogged down with unfamiliar words or the most complex sentences. You don’t need to absorb every single word of the essay. Read to find devices you can use. Circle them and ID them as you go. Don’t be picky right away—just observe and note what you see.

Go ahead and skim the bottom instructions, but even then the first sentence is the only really important one. In this case, the gist is: how does Braun persuade his audience to invest in NASA? Then, go back to the devices you found, and pick out the three strongest and/or most used devices to structure your essay. Can’t find three? Remember, an author always uses tone (point of view) and diction (word choice) so those are two easy ones if you’re stuck.

The process of reading and pulling out devices should take no more than eight minutes.

Make a Quick Outline

I know this one sound counterintuitive, given what I said about time limits, but bear with me. Just starting to write without a clear path is hugely problematic for timed essays. Even the best writers make a mental note of their general direction. Without planning, you might change directions mid-essay, forget your thesis and end up arguing something else, or wander off completely without realizing it.

The outline can be short and sweet. For example, with this practice essay, it could look like this:

Intro: Braun argues that continuing to invest in space tech and research keeps us competitive in the world economy. Devices: logos, imagery, allusion

Body 1: Logos (logic): paragraph 3, 5, 7

Body 2: Imagery: paragraph 4, 6

Body 3: Allusion: paragraph 8

Don’t even bother to include your conclusion in your outline. It’s pretty much the same content as your intro. Also, remember that you don’t need to tackle every aspect or device in the essay. Highlight where your devices are, then focus your analysis to those sections. In the outline above, I’ve structured the devices so that you’re going through the essay in almost chronological fashion. You don’t have to do this, but it makes the essay-writing a bit easier.

The process of outlining should take no more than two minutes.

Write Quickly but Methodically

Don’t waste a lot of breath with a big, drawn out introduction. State the argument of the author in one sentence, then your thesis, which should be a list of the three devices you plan to use. Keep it simple and easy, then move on.

For each body paragraph, make a quick topic sentence explaining which device you’re analyzing. Spend one sentence (ONLY one) summarizing how the author is using the device. Begin to use quotes or paraphrase; after each example, analyze why the author uses the device and the effect it has. About three quotes or examples are usually standard. Then, at the end of the paragraph, use one sentence to sum up the effect the device has on the whole essay. Use sample essays for examples of this structure.

See the numbers at the side of each paragraph? When you quote directly or summarize directly, put the number of the paragraph in parenthesis afterwards to cite where you’re getting the information from.

For your conclusion, simply restate what you’ve said before. If you’re feeling extra-confident, feel free to add a key takeaway from the analysis, but it’s not necessary. So, your conclusion can be two sentences just like your intro.

What if your writing style isn’t advanced or similar to the example essays? Work with a teacher or tutor who can help you develop your skills if you have the time. If not, just write simply and clearly. Don’t use overly technical words. Don’t make really long sentences just for the sake of doing so. Even simple, forceful language can be effective so long as your argument is good. So focus your attention on ensuring that you know what good analysis is and how to replicate it.

You’ll have 35 minutes to write. Keep an eye on the clock, but mostly just focus on writing quickly and clearly.

Leave a Few Minutes for Proofreading

Again, I know you’ll be flying through this essay at lightning speed to get everything done effectively. But this one’s important too. When you write quickly, grammar and spelling can fall by the wayside. That’s totally normal, so don’t freak out. But you will be graded on such aspects in your final score, so leave 5 minutes max at the end to skim through your essay, pinpoint where you made mistakes, cross out the word or phrase, and write the correct word or phrase above it. Try to make corrections clearly so that the tester knows which version to read.

And that’s it! Easy, right? (Totally kidding.) As with everything else, practice will help. If you’re not already doing this kind of essay in class, do a few practice essays at home. Make sure you do the EXACT process start to finish: time yourself, write an outline, and so on. Part of success is building the muscle memory to go into the essay with a solid base of experience and confidence that you’ll succeed.

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How Long Is the SAT? 2023 Ultimate Guide

Aaron • Last updated on January 4, 2023

Are you planning to take the SAT soon? 

Before taking the exam, it is essential for you to know the SAT time limit as this is an essential part of your test preparation. In taking the SAT, you need to know more than just how to answer the questions and score high. It’s also crucial that you learn strategies for time management and pacing.

In this SAT time breakdown, we will answer the question: How long is the SAT test? We will identify the SAT time per section and how you can use the time to answer the test more efficiently. 

How long does the SAT take?

The SAT has three sections: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. The Math section consists of 2 tests: with a calculator and without. The SAT test length is 180 minutes or 3 hours, excluding the time for breaks. 

The optional Essay section, on the other hand, runs for 50 minutes. 

Below is the detailed breakdown of the times per SAT section:

What time does the SAT start?

The SAT begins around 8:30 to 9:00 am, depending on how long the preliminary procedure and reading of instructions will take. The testing center doors open at 7:45 am and close at exactly 8 am. 

Once you get inside the testing room, your electronic devices (except your calculator) and your bag will first be collected by the proctor. As soon as everyone is settled down and seated, the test materials are then distributed and the instructions read. 

Breaks during the SAT

Students need to take a break, especially during an intense and lengthy exam like the SAT. How long is the SAT with breaks included? 

The first break is 10 minutes long and will take place between the Reading section and the Writing and Language section. The next break, which is 5 minutes, will be between the two Math sections. 

For those taking the Essay section, a 2-minute break will be given after the Math test. 

Here is the SAT test time breakdown including the breaks:

You can use the breaks to leave the room, eat a snack, or use the restroom. 

Most testing centers include an additional experimental section as the last section on the SAT ( 1 ). This is for pretesting purposes. Do not worry much about it, though, for this section is NOT counted in the scoring process.

When will you finish the SAT?

The SAT time length is 3 hours and the breaks run for 15 minutes total. If you take the Essay section, you should finish between 12:15 and12:45 pm, depending on the time spent on the preliminary procedure and reading of instructions. If you are taking the Essay section, you should finish between 1:00 and 1:30 pm. 

Once your exam has concluded, the proctor will return your electronic devices and bag. 

How can you prepare for the lengthy SAT?

If you choose to take the Essay section, the SAT would take you nearly 4 hours to finish it. This is pretty long and will feel even longer when you’re nervous. What are the things that you can do to prepare for the long and intense SAT and to keep anxiety at bay?

Answer full-length practice tests

One of the most effective ways to prepare for the SAT is to answer full-length practice tests ( 2 ). These will help you get a good grasp of the actual test structure. Also, you will learn how to manage your time properly and efficiently so you can answer all the questions within the given timeframe. 

In answering SAT practice tests, it would be better to use official practice tests provided by the College Board. This is because the questions are similar to those of the actual standardized test. 

You should also answer newly released official practice tests. Doing so will give you an idea of the latest structure and flow. 

Time yourself

When answering a full-length practice test, time yourself. Now that you know how much time is allocated per section and the entire SAT, you can pace yourself accordingly. It is also recommended that you take breaks just like during the actual SAT. 

Timing yourself during the practice test will let you know how fast you can answer a certain section. If you find the allotted time insufficient, you can make adjustments to your answering process beforehand. 

With the given SAT test time and the number of questions per section, you will be able to calculate the average time per question, in which you can pattern your pace. 

Here is the average time you per question in each section:

Put into practice, you will be able to answer the SAT more efficiently. 

Time management on the SAT

Say, you are answering the actual SAT, how are you going to manage your time? 

According to US News ( 3 ), one of the most effective ways to take the SAT is to answer the easy questions first. Then, you can go back to the harder ones later. This way, you can allot more time to the more difficult questions. 

Experts also suggest that you use a watch to monitor your pace. Knowing the time given per section, you will be able to manage your time better. 

Stamina will also play a huge role in the SAT. The old SAT consisted of 10 small sections. In today’s standardized admissions test, subjects are distributed into four large sections. In answering questions in each section, it will be important for you to not only answer the questions quickly but to also keep the same pace throughout the test. 

Final thoughts

Now that you know how long the SAT takes, you can prepare for the test more efficiently and effectively. Being aware of the breakdown of the SAT exam time is going to be important for you. The SAT is a lengthy test, but always remember to stay relaxed and confident. Aside from your knowledge of concepts and theories, your time management will be crucial in attaining your goals on the SAT. 

• https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-the-sat-experimental-section
• https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/full-length-practice-tests
• https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2019-02-22/how-long-the-sat-is-and-how-to-manage-that-time

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What is the SAT?

Many colleges require scores from the SAT or ACT tests as a part of the admissions process.  Your SAT score is a key component of your college applications.

SAT Basics

About the sat.

The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, computer-based test created and administered by the College Board.  The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important SAT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school. Overall, the higher you score on the SAT and/or ACT, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you.

When should I take the SAT?

Most high school students take the SAT, the ACT, or both during the spring of their junior year or fall of their senior year. It's important to leave time to re-take the test if you need to raise your score before you apply to college. The SAT exam is offered nationally every year in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. View all upcoming SAT test dates.

What is on the SAT?

There are two  SAT sections: 

• Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

How long is the SAT?

The SAT is 2 hours 14 minutes long.

How is the SAT scored?

Each section of the SAT is scored on a 200 to 800 point scale. Your total SAT score is the sum of your section scores. The highest possible SAT score is 1600.

Should I take the SAT or the ACT?

Most colleges and universities will accept scores from either the SAT or ACT, and do not favor one test over the other. That said, college-bound students are increasingly taking  both the SAT and ACT. Changes made to the SAT in 2016 have made it easier than ever to prep for both tests concurrently—and earn competitive scores on both! The best way to decide if taking the SAT, ACT, or both tests is right for you is to take a timed  full-length practice test  of each type. Since the content and style of the SAT and ACT are very similar, factors like how you handle time pressure and what types of questions you find most challenging can help you determine which test is a better fit. Try our  QUIZ: SAT, ACT, or Both?  to learn more.

How do I register for the SAT?

SAT registration deadlines fall approximately five weeks before each test date. Register online on the College Board website. The  College Board may require SAT registration by mail under special circumstances.

How can I prep for the SAT?

We can help. We have SAT prep solutions for every student and every budget. Take a Free SAT Practice Test

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, how long is the sat exam.

Hey guys, I'm a junior and planning to take the SAT soon. Can anyone tell me how long does the SAT exam typically last, including breaks and the optional essay? Thanks!

Hey there! The SAT exam duration varies depending on whether you're taking it with or without the optional essay. Here's a breakdown of the test length, including breaks:

Without the essay:

- Reading: 65 minutes

- Writing and Language: 35 minutes

- Math (No Calculator): 25 minutes

- Math (Calculator): 55 minutes

In addition to the testing time, you also receive one 10-minute break and one 5-minute break, totaling 15 minutes of break time. Considering these breaks, the duration of the SAT without the essay would be 3 hours and 15 minutes.

With the optional essay:

- Essay: 50 minutes

If you decide to take the SAT with the optional essay, the total time would be 4 hours and 5 minutes, including the two breaks.

Keep in mind that you should also account for extra time before and after the exam for activities such as checking in, instructions, and collecting materials. So, it's best to plan your day accordingly and expect to spend around 4.5 to 5 hours at the testing center if you choose to take the essay, and around 3.5 to 4 hours if you don't. Good luck with your test preparation!

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how does sat essay length affect your score.

SAT Writing

True or False : Since essay length is not mentioned in the SAT essay grading rubric , it doesn’t matter how much you write in your essay.

Answer : True...but also false. Read on for an explanation of why and how the length of your SAT essay can affect your score.

feature image credit: How long by Martin Abegglen , used under CC BY-SA 2.0 /Cropped & modified from original.

UPDATE: SAT Essay No Longer Offered

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In January 2021, the College Board announced that after June 2021, it would no longer offer the Essay portion of the SAT (except at schools who opt in during School Day Testing). It is now no longer possible to take the SAT Essay, unless your school is one of the small number who choose to offer it during SAT School Day Testing.

While most colleges had already made SAT Essay scores optional, this move by the College Board means no colleges now require the SAT Essay. It will also likely lead to additional college application changes such not looking at essay scores at all for the SAT or ACT, as well as potentially requiring additional writing samples for placement.

What does the end of the SAT Essay mean for your college applications? Check out our article on the College Board's SAT Essay decision for everything you need to know.

Why Does Essay Length Matter?

Why would you think that essay length even matters in the first place? As I said in the introduction, it's not as if the SAT essay rubric mentions essay length at all.

Well, there's at least one good reason to think this: essay length is positively correlated with essay score .

Ever since the essay was added to the SAT, current MIT research affiliate (and former director of the MIT undergraduate writing program) Les Perelman has been vocal about how the longer an essay is, the more likely it is to get a higher score. According to this 2005 New York Times article by Michael Winerip, Perelman analyzed the lengths and scores of 54 SAT-approved sample essays and found a nearly 90% correlation. The shortest essays (around 100 words) received the lowest possible score, 1 (or a combined score of 2 out of 12), while the longest essays (around 400 words), received the highest score, a 6 (or a combined score of 12 out of 12) . Based on these findings, representatives of the CollegeBoard stated that they would be releasing shorter examples of higher-scoring essays.

This controversy first erupted in early 2005, right after the new SAT essay was introduced. To see if there had been any changes since then, I did my own analysis of the essays in the CollegeBoard's essay scoring guide that were all written in response to the sample prompt. Take a look at what I found:

Bonus graph reading practice for you in this, an article on essays. You're welcome.

As you can see, as essay length (measured by word count in the graph above) increases, the score also increases .

Just because longer essays tend to score better, however, doesn’t mean that you should just write the word “ideology” over and over again to fill up the page. The reason longer essays tend to score better is that students who write longer essays provide more support for their theses.

If this is the essay prompt:

"Is it important to question the ideas and decisions of people in positions of authority,"

and all you write is the following:

"It's important to question authority because sometimes authority stops you from doing things you want. Like getting a pony. I want a pony. I want a pony. I want a pony. I want a pony."

for two pages, you'll still get a 0. Maybe a 1, if the grader is feeling generous and thinks that you made some attempt to write about the issue discussed in a prompt. For more on the thought process of essay grading, read our article about insights from real SAT essay graders .

Similarly, if you try to drag out one example by writing larger than usual and restating the same facts and information over and over again, it won't automatically get you a higher score. In fact, you may lose points if either of your essay's graders think that your repeating of information leads to lack of coherence in your writing.

In any case, unless you have extremely small handwriting, it’s very difficult to write an essay that presents a thesis and supports it with at least two specific examples in less than one page.

So How Long Should Your Essay Be?

Many factors go into determining essay length, which makes it difficult to give a blanket length recommendation. Here are the most important factors when it comes to length of your SAT essay:

• Vocabulary. Often, the more advanced vocab you use, the fewer words you’ll need to get the job done, which might result in a shorter essay.
• Handwriting size. Students with larger handwriting will naturally take up more space on the page than students with smaller handwriting. This doesn't necessarily mean students with larger handwriting have an advantage, however; in fact, students with larger handwriting tend to run into the issue of having filled two pages and not finished saying everything they needed or wanted to say.
• How fast you can write and think. If you need to take longer to plan out your essay, you might end up writing a shorter essay, simply because you don't have as much time to write. That doesn't necessarily mean that you'll do worse on the essay - since an organized essay with strong specific examples will score better than a disorganized one without specific examples - but it does mean that you might end up with less time to write out your ideas.
• How much time you leave yourself to write (vs. how much time you take to plan). This is something you need to figure out for yourself through practice and observation. Over the years, I've realized that I can write fairly quickly, which means that it's okay if I take a little more time to plan out my essay - I'll still be able to fill up those two pages. On the other hand, if you find that you're a slow writer, you might not be able to write enough unless you get very fast at planning your essay.

In general, assuming about 150 words per handwritten page, you need to write at least a page and a half (1.5 pages) to get a 3 or above on your essay (or a combined score of 6 or above). You'll need at least that much space to say what you need to say and support it clearly with concrete examples.

What’s Next?

Want to find out more about how to write a good SAT essay? Watch us write a top-scoring essay step-by-step , then check out our tips on how to write a long SAT essay as well as our more general SAT essay tips .

Discover the secrets to getting a perfect 12 on your SAT essay here .

What if you're planning on taking the new SAT? Read our breakdown of the new SAT essay here .

Want to get serious about improving your SAT score? We have the leading online SAT prep program that will raise your score by 160+ points, guaranteed .

Exclusive to our program, we have an expert SAT instructor grade each of your SAT essays and give you customized feedback on how to improve your score.

Check out our 5-day free trial and sign up for free:

Laura graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College with a BA in Music and Psychology, and earned a Master's degree in Composition from the Longy School of Music of Bard College. She scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and GRE and loves advising students on how to excel in high school.

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