• Updated on 3 Oct, 2026 by Simran
What's new?
SAT Latest news and articles
The SAT Exam Syllabus 2026 consists of two sections: Reading and Writing and Math. The digital SAT is divided into two modules for each section, with the second module adapting to a student's performance in the first module. The exam has 98 questions and 134 minutes of testing time, excluding the 10-minute break between the two sections.
The Reading and Writing section covers four content domains: Craft and Structure, Information and Ideas, Standard English Conventions, and Expression of Ideas. The Math section covers Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem-Solving and Data Analysis, and Geometry and Trigonometry. The approximate distribution of questions across these domains can help students prioritise their preparation.
SAT Exam Syllabus 2026: Highlights
| Particular | Reading and Writing | Math |
| Number of modules | 2 | 2 |
| Total questions | 54 | 44 |
| Total time | 64 minutes | 70 minutes |
| Time per module | 32 minutes | 35 minutes |
| Approx. time per question | 1 min 11 sec | 1 min 35 sec |
| Number of content domains | 4 | 4 |
| Question format | Multiple choice | Multiple choice and Student-Produced Response |
| Score range | 200–800 | 200–800 |
The overall SAT score ranges from 400 to 1600, with 200–800 points available for each section. Reading and Writing contains 54 questions, while Math contains 44 questions.
SAT Exam Pattern 2026
The digital SAT follows a two-stage adaptive format. Each section is divided into two modules. Students first complete Module 1, and their performance helps determine the difficulty level of Module 2. The content domains assessed within the section remain the same across the two modules.
| Section | Module 1 | Module 2 | Total |
| Reading and Writing | 27 questions, 32 minutes | 27 questions, 32 minutes | 54 questions, 64 minutes |
| Math | 22 questions, 35 minutes | 22 questions, 35 minutes | 44 questions, 70 minutes |
| SAT | — | — | 98 questions, 134 minutes |
The SAT also includes pretest questions that do not contribute to a student's score. These questions are incorporated into the modules and are not identified separately during the examination.
SAT Reading and Writing Syllabus 2026
The Reading and Writing section contains 54 questions across two 32-minute modules. Each question is based on a short passage or passage pair followed by a single multiple-choice question. The passages can draw from literature, history/social studies, humanities, and science and may include informational graphics.
The section is divided into four content domains.
| Domain | Approx. Weightage | Approx. Questions |
| Craft and Structure | 28% | 13–15 |
| Information and Ideas | 26% | 12–14 |
| Standard English Conventions | 26% | 11–15 |
| Expression of Ideas | 20% | 8–12 |
The percentages and question ranges are approximate and can vary across individual SAT test forms.
Craft and Structure
Craft and Structure accounts for approximately 28% of Reading and Writing, making it the largest domain in the section. It evaluates how well students understand language in context, analyse the organisation and purpose of a text, and identify connections between related texts.
The domain covers three major skills: Words in Context, Text Structure and Purpose, and Cross-Text Connections. Questions may require students to determine the meaning of a word based on its use in a passage, understand why a particular part of a text has been included, or compare ideas and perspectives presented in two texts.
Preparation should therefore focus on understanding vocabulary within context and analysing how information is presented, rather than relying only on memorisation of word meanings.
Information and Ideas
Information and Ideas represents approximately 26% of Reading and Writing, with around 12–14 questions. This domain focuses on a student's ability to understand information, identify important ideas, interpret evidence, and draw logical conclusions.
The domain includes Central Ideas and Details, Command of Evidence, and Inferences. Questions may require students to identify the main idea of a passage, select evidence supporting a conclusion, or make an inference based on information provided in the text or an accompanying graphic.
Standard English Conventions
Standard English Conventions accounts for approximately 26% of Reading and Writing and focuses on the correct use of grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation in context.
It contains two skill areas: Boundaries and Form, Structure, and Sense. Boundaries focuses on how sentences and clauses are separated or connected, while Form, Structure, and Sense covers grammatical structure, usage, agreement, and verb forms.
Because these questions appear within passages, students need to apply grammar and punctuation rules while considering the meaning and structure of the complete sentence.
Expression of Ideas
Expression of Ideas accounts for approximately 20% of Reading and Writing and assesses how effectively students can revise writing to achieve a particular rhetorical purpose.
The domain includes Rhetorical Synthesis and Transitions. Rhetorical Synthesis questions require students to use provided information to accomplish a stated writing goal, while Transitions questions test whether students can identify the logical relationship between ideas and select an appropriate transition.
SAT Math Syllabus 2026
The SAT Math section contains 44 questions divided between two 35-minute modules. The section covers four content domains, with Algebra and Advanced Math together accounting for approximately 70% of the Math section.
| Math Domain | Approx. Weightage | Approx. Questions |
| Algebra | 35% | 13–15 |
| Advanced Math | 35% | 13–15 |
| Problem-Solving and Data Analysis | 15% | 5–7 |
| Geometry and Trigonometry | 15% | 5–7 |
This distribution shows that Algebra and Advanced Math form the largest part of SAT Math, while Problem-Solving and Data Analysis and Geometry and Trigonometry together account for the remaining approximate 30%.
Algebra
Algebra accounts for approximately 35% of SAT Math, with around 13–15 questions. The domain focuses primarily on linear relationships and students' ability to solve, interpret, and represent equations and inequalities.
The major areas include:
- Linear equations in one variable
- Linear equations in two variables
- Linear functions
- Systems of two linear equations in two variables
- Linear inequalities in one or two variables
Students should be able to work with equations, functions, graphs, and tables and understand how different representations describe the same linear relationship.
Advanced Math
Advanced Math accounts for approximately 35% of SAT Math, making it equally weighted with Algebra. The domain focuses on nonlinear equations, expressions, functions, and relationships.
Key areas include:
- Equivalent expressions
- Nonlinear equations in one variable
- Systems of equations in two variables
- Nonlinear functions
- Absolute-value relationships
- Quadratic relationships
- Exponential relationships
- Polynomial relationships
- Rational expressions and equations
- Radical expressions and equations
The focus is on understanding and manipulating nonlinear relationships rather than simply memorising formulas. Students should be comfortable solving equations, interpreting functions, and connecting algebraic expressions with graphs and other representations.
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis accounts for approximately 15% of SAT Math, with around 5–7 questions. This domain applies mathematical reasoning to ratios, percentages, statistics, probability, and data interpretation.
The syllabus includes ratios, rates and proportional relationships; percentages; one-variable data; measures of centre and spread; two-variable data; models and scatterplots; probability and conditional probability; inference from sample statistics and margin of error; and evaluation of statistical claims.
Questions may present information through tables, graphs, data sets, or real-world scenarios. Students therefore need to identify the relevant information, interpret the data correctly, and select an appropriate mathematical approach.
Geometry and Trigonometry
Geometry and Trigonometry accounts for approximately 15% of SAT Math, with around 5–7 questions. The domain covers geometric relationships, measurement, right triangles, trigonometry, and circles.
The major topics are area and volume, lines and angles, triangles, right-triangle trigonometry, and circles. Students should be able to apply geometric relationships and mathematical reasoning to solve problems involving figures, measurements, and trigonometric relationships.
SAT Syllabus 2026: Domain-wise Weightage
The distribution of the SAT syllabus provides a useful way to organise preparation. In Reading and Writing, Craft and Structure has the highest approximate share at 28%, while Information and Ideas and Standard English Conventions each account for approximately 26%. Expression of Ideas represents approximately 20%.
Math has a more concentrated distribution. Algebra and Advanced Math each account for approximately 35%, meaning these two domains together represent around 70% of the section. Problem-Solving and Data Analysis and Geometry and Trigonometry account for approximately 15% each.
| Section | Highest-weighted areas | Combined Approx. Share |
| Reading and Writing | Craft and Structure + Information and Ideas + Standard English Conventions | 80% |
| Math | Algebra + Advanced Math | 70% |
Students can use this distribution to allocate preparation time, while still covering all four domains in each section.
SAT Syllabus 2026: How to Prepare
Preparation should begin with the complete syllabus and the four domains in each section rather than focusing only on individual question types. Students can first identify their weaker domains and then divide their preparation between concept revision, targeted practice, and timed work.
For Reading and Writing, preparation should combine reading comprehension, vocabulary in context, evidence-based reasoning, grammar, punctuation, transitions, and rhetorical revision. For Math, students should build a strong foundation in linear and nonlinear equations, functions, data analysis, geometry, and trigonometry.
The adaptive format also makes accuracy important from the beginning of each section. Students should become comfortable working within the module-level time limits and analysing mistakes by skill or domain instead of looking only at their overall practice score.
SAT Exam Syllabus 2026 FAQs
What is the SAT Exam Syllabus 2026?
The SAT syllabus consists of two sections: Reading and Writing and Math. Reading and Writing covers Craft and Structure, Information and Ideas, Standard English Conventions, and Expression of Ideas. Math covers Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem-Solving and Data Analysis, and Geometry and Trigonometry.
How many questions are there in the SAT 2026?
The SAT has 98 questions in total, including 54 questions in Reading and Writing and 44 questions in Math. Reading and Writing is allocated 64 minutes, while Math is allocated 70 minutes.
What are the four domains in SAT Reading and Writing?
The four domains are Craft and Structure, Information and Ideas, Standard English Conventions, and Expression of Ideas.
What are the four domains in SAT Math?
SAT Math covers Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem-Solving and Data Analysis, and Geometry and Trigonometry.
Which SAT Math topic has the highest weightage?
Algebra and Advanced Math have the highest approximate weightage in SAT Math, with 35% each. Together, they account for approximately 70% of the section.
How much weightage does Craft and Structure carry in SAT Reading and Writing?
Craft and Structure accounts for approximately 28% of the Reading and Writing section, with around 13–15 questions.
Does SAT Math include Geometry and Trigonometry?
Yes. Geometry and Trigonometry accounts for approximately 15% of SAT Math and covers area and volume, lines and angles, triangles, right-triangle trigonometry, and circles.
Is the SAT syllabus divided into modules?
Yes. Both Reading and Writing and Math are divided into two modules. The SAT uses an adaptive structure in which performance in the first module influences the difficulty level of the second module.
How long is the SAT Exam 2026?
The SAT has 134 minutes of testing time: 64 minutes for Reading and Writing and 70 minutes for Math. There is also a 10-minute break between the two sections.
What is the SAT score range?
The total SAT score ranges from 400 to 1600. Reading and Writing and Math are each scored on a scale of 200 to 800.