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Home / SAT Exam / How Long Is The SAT

How Long is the SAT?

Last Updated on Jun 09, 2025

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For every SAT preparing student, the first question that needs to be addressed is how long is the SAT? Earlier the SAT Exam duration was 3 hours which was later changed to 2 hours and 14 minutes according to the new format of Digital SAT. You must know the exam overall length and time limit along with the section-wise timing provided to gain clarity of the exam. This article contains all the important information about the SAT including exam duration, time management, facts and preparation tips.

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Did you Know Facts about How Long Is The SAT? 

  • The Digital SAT has a time duration of 2 hours and 14 minutes which is shorter than the traditional paper-and-pencil version of 3 hours time limit.
  • The new digital SAT provides more time for each question—43% more time than the previous paper-and-pencil SAT and 68% more time than the ACT test. 
  • While the Digital SAT has lesser questions, the question difficulty is designed to be as rigorous as the traditional test.
  • The SAT offers one 10-minute break in total between the SAT Math and ERW sections.
  • The new adaptive format gives a test the chance to become shorter but be more accurate in order to judge the student's abilities.
  • SAT scores are published in minimum time which decreases the waiting time of students for the next exam preparation.

Learn about the SAT Average Score here ! 

How Long is the SAT?

The digital SAT exam duration is 2 hours and 14 minutes, excluding breaks. The SAT exam duration is divided into two sections: Reading and Writing and Math. The SAT Reading and Writing section continues for 64 minutes, while the SAT Math section is given 70 minutes, totaling 2 hours and 14 minutes of testing time.

There is a 10-minute break between the two sections. Each section has two modules, and the modules are timed equally. The first module has questions of easy, medium, and hard difficulty. The performance on the first module depicts the difficulty level on the second module, which may be harder or easier. The adaptive format makes sure that the test is tailored to the student, thus making the student perform better.

How to Manage Your Time During the SAT Exam?

The SAT exam contains two major test sections which are -

  1. Reading and Writing
  2. Mathematics

The SAT continues for a 2 hours and 14 minutes time period for a total format of 98 questions. Students must carefully manage their time according to the number of questions and time limit to secure high scores in the exam. 

Let us learn how you can manage your time during your SAT for a comparative high score in one attempt. 

1) Reading and Writing

The Reading and Writing section contains a total of 54 questions tasked to be completed within 64 minutes. Students must not spend more than sufficient time on one question in order to answer all the questions and secure success in the SAT test.

Let us look at the table below for a clear understanding.

Modules

Total Questions

Total Time

Time Given Per Question

Module - I

25 operational questions

2 pretest questions

32 minutes

71 seconds per questions

Module - II

25 operational questions

2 pretest questions

32 minutes

71 seconds per question

2) Maths

The Maths section contains 44 questions in total which are to be completed within the timeline of 70 minutes. Students should focus on accuracy rather than numbers when answering questions from the Maths section to get better scores in their SATs.

Let us look at the given table for better time management.

Modules

Total Questions

Total Time

Time Given Per Question

Module - I

22 questions

35 minutes

95 seconds per questions

Module - II

22 questions

35 minutes

95 seconds per question

SAT Exam Preparation Tips for Good Score

SAT is one of the highly recommended academic level exams accepted in many international countries for college admission including the United States. The highest score students can earn in SAT is 1600, while the lowest SAT score is 400.

The SAT score cut off in the US varies for different colleges and universities. Here are a few SAT exam tips which can be followed to pace up your SAT preparation. 

  • Manage Your Time for Each Question - Students need to manage their time for each question in order to be able to attempt all the questions and receive higher scores.
  • Understand and Learn the Syllabus - Students who are appearing for the SAT must be familiar with the exam syllabus. Complete learning of the SAT syllabus before exam and revise regularly for accuracy.
  • Attempt Every Question - As there is no negative marking for the SAT exam, students should attempt all the questions in the exam whether they fully know it or not. A non attempted answer shows 0% probability while an answered question has 25% probability to be right.

When to Start Preparation?

When to start preparing for your SAT? This is the first question you should ask and answer. Early preparation adds time to revise your syllabus again and also attempt practice tests for higher test accuracy and scores. 

There is a high probability of getting one of the best colleges in the US with comparatively higher SAT scores, which can lead to a successful career in future.

You must start preparation at least 3-4 months before the SAT exam to get ample time to go through the complete SAT syllabus and get enough time for revision. 

How Long Does the SAT Take with Break?

Students will have a 10-minute break between the Reading and Writing section and the Math section, making the total SAT exam duration 2 hours and 24 minutes. However, there is no break between the two modules within each section. Each section is divided into two equal-length modules, and you’ll need to complete both modules of the Reading and Writing section before taking your break. After the break, you’ll then complete the two modules of the Math section.

How to Utilize the SAT Break?

After you have completed the SAT ERW Section, you might relax and then refresh your focus by stretching or rehydrating. You can review how you performed in the SAT ERW Section and prepare yourself for the SAT Math module. Try not to think too much-just breathe deeply and gather yourself so when the Math sections are presented before you, it doesn't even register as 'a big test' anymore.

Read about What is SAT Superscore? How to Calculate It?

Conclusion

The SAT exam is majorly a getaway window for students in high school for getting seats into top universities in the US. Start preparation at the earliest to revise the syllabus in time. You must check the important exam details including dates, duration, pattern and syllabus before starting your SAT preparation. Smartly managing your time and question difficulty can help you score better in the SAT exam.

Latest SAT Exam Updates

Last updated on Jun 10, 2025

-> The next SAT 2025 Exam is going to be held on June 7, 2025. The Regular Registration Deadline for the same has ended on May 22, 2025 and the late registration deadline ended May 27, 2025. 

-> According to the SAT Exam Schedule, the next fall semester SAT after the June exam is on August 23, 2025.

-> Top US Universities use SAT Scores to measure a student’s preparedness for college-level studies in a consistent and standardized way.

-> The candidates can attempt the SAT Practice Tests by Testbook that offers a suite of solutions for high schoolers who want to improve their SAT score above 1400.

How Long is the SAT FAQs

Digital SAT is a standard entrance test which is commonly taken by Class 11 or 12 students in the United States. The Digital SAT continues for a duration of 2 hours and 14 minutes. There is an additional break of 10 minutes between the two SAT sections given to students.

SAT test has a total of 98 questions which is divided into two major sectors including Maths and Reading & Writing. The total time allotted for each section is 70 minutes and 64 minutes respectively.

There is no one test which is more preferred by colleges. Both SAT and ACT are standard exams taken for college admissions in the USA and are equally important. It totally depends upon the college requirement and admission policy.

Essay section is not mandatory on the SAT. It totally depends on the college requirements. If an essay is required in your SAT at your college, you will get an additional 50 minutes time for the SAT exam which adds to a total of 184 minutes.

In the US, the SAT test begins between 8:30 AM and 9 AM. The SAT test centres open at 7:45 AM and closes at 8:00 AM on weekends. Students must appear before time for exam commencement to avoid any mishaps.