SAT Exam Syllabus 2025

If you are a student in Nepal planning to apply to universities in the US or other study abroad countries that accept the SAT, understanding the SAT Exam Syllabus 2025 is the first step in your preparation. Conducted by the College Board, the full form of the SAT is Scholastic Assessment Test and the SAT is a globally recognised entrance exam for undergraduate admissions.

Starting in 2025, the SAT has moved completely digital, making it faster, more flexible, and more aligned with the skills students need for university-level coursework. The new SAT exam focuses on two key sections:

  • Reading and Writing
  • Math

In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about the updated SAT exam syllabus, with a focus on how it applies to Nepalese students and what has changed in the new digital format.

Overview of SAT Exam Syllabus 2025

The SAT Syllabus 2025 represents a streamlined format with fewer questions and shorter length, with a higher emphasis on reasoning and analytical thinking capabilities. The Digital SAT has only two sections, Reading & Writing, and Maths. The SAT questions are designed to represent key academic abilities for the typical college freshmen class.

This new SAT exam syllabus has widely impressed students in Nepal and worldwide, primarily due to its easy-to-use digital interface and adaptive question format. Preparing Nepali students for the SAT exam syllabus is paramount, especially in this transition.

SAT Exam Syllabus: Reading & Writing Section

Digital SAT has consolidated Reading and Writing into a single section. It examines your reading comprehension, editing, and grammar using short passages and objective questions. Major skills covered under the SAT Reading and Writing syllabus 2025 are:

SAT Areas for Reading & Writing Section 

Weightage

Skill / Knowledge Testing Areas

Question Distribution

Craft and Structure

28%

Words in Context, Cross-Text, Text Structure and Purpose, Connections

13-15

Information and Ideas

26%

Command of Evidence based on – Textual and Quantitative Inferences, and Central Ideas and Details

12-14

Expression of Ideas

20%

Rhetorical Synthesis Transitions

8-12

Standard English Conventions

26%

Boundaries Form, Structure, and Sense

11-15

The Digital SAT emphasises college and career-related reading and writing topics and prepares students for reading and communicating at the college level.

SAT Sample Question Types for Reading & Writing Section

The SAT exam syllabus for SAT Reading section examines a variety of comprehension and analytic skills using varied question types. The principal question types that appear on the SAT Reading section are listed below:

Question Type

Description

Example Question

Main Idea & Purpose

These questions gauge your understanding of the main point of the passage, the purpose of the author, or the plan behind their argument.

What is the primary purpose of the passage?

Detail-Oriented Questions

You will be required to find and explain specific details that are located within a certain section or paragraph.

What is implied by the fourth paragraph about...?

Inference-Based Questions

These questions challenge your skill at inferring from what is explicitly stated and making rational conclusions from it.

Which of the options listed may be concluded from the reading with reasonable accuracy?

Purpose of a Line or Phrase

You will be tasked with assessing why a specific sentence or phrase was used.

Why did the author mention X in paragraph 3?

Contextual Vocabulary

Emphasises comprehending the meaning of a term derived from its usage within context.

In line 18, the term 'X' is likely to mean...

Comparative Reasoning

Such questions require that you look for similarities or make comparisons between relationships.

For which of the options is the relationship between X and Y closest to being equivalent?

Author’s Technique

Test comprehension of the way the author presents ideas—i.e., use of tone, style, or organisation.

What is the literary device used by the writer in paragraph 2?

Evidence-Based Support

You'll have to locate the line or section which most strongly supports an assertion made within the question.

Which sentence most strongly supports the assertion that...?

Data Interpretation

At times, passages present visual data. These questions require that you interpret findings or trends from graphs and tables.

From the data presented, which of the conclusions is correct?

SAT Exam Syllabus: Math Section

The SAT Math syllabus 2025 focuses on quantitative skills essential for college and careers. The section is designed to be calculator-friendly and problem-solving oriented.

SAT Areas for Maths Section 

Weightage

Skill / Knowledge Testing Areas

Question Distribution

Algebra

35%

Nonlinear equations in one variable and systems of equations in two variables, Equivalent expressions, etc

13-15

Advanced Math

35%

Problem-solving and Data Analysis

13-15

Geometry and Trigonometry

15%

Lines, angles, and triangles, Area and volume, etc

5-7

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis

15%

Percentages, Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units, Two-variable data: models and scatter plots, etc

5-7

SAT Sample Question Types for Math Section

The SAT exam syllabus for the SAT Math section assesses a range of mathematical problem-solving, reasoning, and data analysis skills through varied question types. The principal categories of mathematical content tested on the SAT Math section are listed below:

Question Type/Concept: Algebra

  • Syllabus: Focuses on analysing, fluently solving, and creating linear equations and inequalities. This includes systems of linear equations, linear functions, and representing relationships graphically.
  • Example Question (General): If 3x−6=9, what is the value of x?

Question Type/Concept: Advanced Math

  • Syllabus: Features questions that require manipulation of more complex equations and functions, including quadratic equations, exponential functions, polynomial expressions, radical expressions, rational expressions, and function notation.
  • Example Question (General): If x2+6x+5=0, what is one possible value of x?

Question Type/Concept: Problem-Solving and Data Analysis

  • Syllabus: Tests quantitative literacy, including using ratios, percentages, and proportional reasoning to solve problems. It also involves describing relationships shown graphically and analysing data, including measures of center and spread.
  • Example Question (General): A store offers a 20% discount on an item priced at $75. What is the sale price of the item?

Question Type/Concept: Geometry and Trigonometry

  • Syllabus: Includes questions on area and volume formulas; lines, angles, and triangles; right triangle trigonometry (sine, cosine, tangent); and circles.
  • Example Question (General): A circle has a radius of 5 cm. What is its circumference? (Leave π in your answer)

Overview of the SAT Exam Pattern 2025

The SAT Exam syllabus pattern has been revised to match the digital test format.

SAT Parameters

SAT Digital Reading & Writing Section

SAT Math Section

Test Format

Divided into two distinct stages, one focused on reading comprehension, the other on writing skills. Each is delivered through separately timed modules.

Divided into two stages, each module is timed independently to assess different areas of mathematical reasoning.

Modules, Operational and Pretest Questions

Module 1: 

  • 25 operational questions
  • 2 pretest questions

Module 1:

  • 20 operational questions
  • 2 pretest questions

Module 2: 

  • 25 operational questions
  • 2 pretest questions

Module 2:

  • 20 operational questions
  • 2 pretest questions

Duration

Module 1: 32 minutes

Module 2: 32 minutes

Module 1: 35 minutes

Module 2: 35 minutes

Number of Questions

54

44

Time Allocated

64 minutes

70 minutes

Question Types

Discrete, MCQS with four options

MCQ (75%) and student-produced response (SPR)(25%)

Total Score Calculation

Reading & Writing + Math section scores

SAT Preparation Tips

Begin SAT exam syllabus test preparation early, and it could make a big difference. Below are some preparation techniques for Nepali students who want to achieve top scores:

  1. Acquaint yourself with the SAT exam syllabus and test format

  2. Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests

  3. Use official College Board prep resources

  4. Work on weak spots within both Math and English

  5. Enrol for coaching classes online or locally as necessary

  6. Practice reading non-fiction articles to improve reading comprehension

  7. Practice at least 10–15 sample questions a day

Did You Know?

  • Top US universities use SAT scores to assess students on a consistent and balanced basis. The test provides admissions committees with a way to gauge a student's readiness for college work, regardless of where they come from.
  • If your target is a mark over 1400, SAT Practice Tests is a good place to start. The SAT official website, College Board has a series of tools and exercises that help students improve performance and become confident about taking the test.
  • SAT Exam Dates for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 are out now. Book your SAT today.

SAT Exam Syllabus: Digital vs Pen & Paper Test

While the Digital SAT has entirely replaced the Pen and Paper-based SAT exam, we take a look at how the new Digital SAT exam is more inclusive and user friendly for students looking to take their SATs to study abroad.

Digital SAT Pattern

Main highlights of the SAT exam syllabus 2025:

  • Each section of the SAT exam is scored on a scale of 200 to 800.
  • Your total SAT score is reported on a score range between 400 to 1600.
  • You get no marks for a wrong answer.
  • The SAT is a time-bound test that takes on a computer-adaptive format, with the second section adjusted according to performance on the first section.

The SAT online format is intended for convenience, particularly for students who are taking the exam from overseas, for example, from Nepal.

Digital SAT  Pattern 2025

Pen and Paper SAT Format

While the SAT used to be given in a pencil-and-paper format, the College Board phased it out in 2024 and introduced the Digital SAT instead. With the transition, the test is now online-delivered with a computer-adaptive format, where the test itself adjusts the questions' difficulty levels based on the students' performance.

Digital SAT vs Old SAT: Key Differences in 2025

Shift from the traditional paper-based SAT to the Digital SAT has introduced various enhancements.

Feature

Old SAT Exam (Paper-based)

New SAT Digital Exam (2025)

Mode of Exam

Paper and pencil

Fully digital

Sections

3 main sections: Reading, Writing & Language, Math+Optional Essay

2 sections: Reading & Writing (combined), and Math

Duration

Around 3 hours + extra time for optional essay

2 hours 14 minutes

Writing Section

Optional Essay available

Essay removed

Reading & Writing Format

Separate Reading and Writing sections

Integrated into a single Reading & Writing section

Math Calculator Use

Split into calculator and non-calculator sections

Calculator allowed throughout both math modules

Question Length

Longer reading passages

Shorter passages and quicker comprehension

Answering Speed

Average pace

Students can respond 30% faster

Test Adaptability

Standard for all

Computer-adaptive: question difficulty adjusts by module

Score Range

200–800 per section (400–1600 total)

200–800 per section (400–1600 total)

Negative Marking

No

No

Such differences ensure that the Digital SAT vs Paper SAT contrast is obvious, with the former being quicker, wiser, and more accessible.

Knowing the SAT exam syllabus 2025 is your initial step toward a successful university application. Maybe you are sitting for the SAT 2025 version of the SAT or seeking SAT coaching centres near you, but clarity on concepts and regular practice could be of much help.

Need SAT prep assistance? Connect with AECC’s experts and get prep tools at your fingertips to put yourself on the right track. Begin preparing to study in USA or other SAT accepting countries abroad, by booking a free session with AECC today.

FAQs on SAT Exam Syllabus 2025

The syllabus of the SAT exam includes two main subjects: Reading & Writing, and Math. There are no separate science or essay sections in the 2025 version.

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