Quick answers to the most-searched SAT questions. Click through for a full explanation of each.
The Digital SAT is 2 hours and 14 minutes of testing time, plus a single 10-minute break — about 2 hours 24 minutes total from start to finish.
Yes. The Digital SAT includes a built-in Desmos graphing calculator you can use on every math question, and you can also bring an approved physical calculator as a backup.
The Digital SAT has 98 questions total — 54 Reading & Writing questions (27 per module) and 44 Math questions (22 per module).
A perfect SAT score is 1600 — the maximum possible. That is 800 on Reading & Writing plus 800 on Math.
The SAT is not curved against other test takers. It is equated — your raw score is converted using a scale specific to your test form to account for difficulty differences across dates.
No. There is no guessing penalty on the Digital SAT — you should answer every question, even if you have to guess.
The PSAT is a shorter, slightly easier practice version of the SAT used for the National Merit Scholarship. It uses the same digital format but tops out at 1520, not 1600.
No. The SAT essay was discontinued in 2021 and is no longer part of the SAT. The Digital SAT has no essay component at all.
Each SAT section is scored on a 200–800 scale. Your raw score (number of correct answers) is converted into a scaled score via equating, and the two section scores add to your 1600 total.
An SAT percentile tells you what percent of test takers scored at or below your score. A 90th percentile score means you did better than 90% of test takers.
The SAT is offered on seven Saturdays per year: August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. Check College Board for specific 2026 dates and registration deadlines.
You can cancel your SAT registration through your College Board account up to a few days before the test. Partial refunds are available if you cancel by the registration deadline.
It depends on the school. Many US colleges are still test-optional in 2026, but a growing number of selective schools (including MIT, Harvard, and Yale) have reinstated the SAT requirement.
SAT fee waivers are available to US low-income 11th and 12th graders. They cover two free SAT registrations, unlimited free score sends, and college application fee waivers.
SAT scores are valid for five years after the test date. After that, College Board no longer actively reports them unless you specifically request archived scores.
Yes. Test centers provide scratch paper for the Digital SAT. You cannot bring your own, but you can request additional sheets if you run out.
If you run out of time, unanswered questions are marked wrong — there's no partial credit and no guessing penalty, so always fill in an answer for every question.
Yes, the SAT is slightly harder than the PSAT. Both test the same skills, but the SAT has harder Module 2 content and a 1600 ceiling versus the PSAT's 1520.