I'm taking the SAT next month and I want to know how long the whole thing actually lasts. I always get antsy during long tests and knowing the exact duration might help me mentally prepare. Like, including breaks and everything, from start to finish, how long should I expect? Thanks in advance!
Hey there! Taking into account the revised format of the SAT from 2024, the actual testing time is 134 minutes, split among four sections of Reading and Math.
Here's how it breaks down:
Reading and Writing: two 32-minute modules, so that's 64 minutes.
Math: two 35-minute modules, so that's 70 minutes.
Total testing time: 134 minutes, or roughly 2 hours and 14 minutes.
Now, let's consider breaks. There's a 10-minute break between the math and reading & writing sections.
Therefore, the total time you should expect to spend from start to finish (from the beginning of the first section to the end of the last section, plus breaks) would be about 2 hours and 24 minutes.
Good luck as you prepare for your exam!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.