SAT Tips & Study Guide
Digital SAT preparation reference sheet
1. SAT Format
The SAT is now fully digital and adaptive. You take it on a laptop or tablet provided by your school or testing center. The test has two sections: Reading & Writing (R&W) and Math.
Reading & Writing Section
| Module | Questions | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Module 1 | 27 questions | 32 minutes | Mixed difficulty; determines Module 2 difficulty |
| Module 2 | 27 questions | 32 minutes | Easier or harder based on Module 1 performance |
| Total | 54 questions | 64 minutes | ~70 seconds per question |
Math Section
| Module | Questions | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Module 1 | 22 questions | 35 minutes | ~4 student-produced response (SPR) questions |
| Module 2 | 22 questions | 35 minutes | Easier or harder based on Module 1 performance |
| Total | 44 questions | 70 minutes | ~95 seconds per question; calculator allowed throughout |
Key Features of the Digital SAT
- Shorter overall test: ~2 hours 14 minutes (vs. 3 hours for paper SAT)
- Each R&W question has its own short passage (no long reading passages)
- Built-in graphing calculator (Desmos) available for the entire Math section
- You can flag questions and return to them within a module
- 10-minute break between R&W and Math sections
- Results delivered faster — typically within 2 to 4 weeks
2. How Scoring Works
Score Ranges
- Total Score: 400–1600
- Reading & Writing: 200–800
- Math: 200–800
- No penalty for wrong answers — always guess!
Adaptive Scoring
Your Module 2 difficulty is determined by your Module 1 performance:
- Strong Module 1 → Harder Module 2 → Higher score ceiling
- Weak Module 1 → Easier Module 2 → Lower score ceiling
- Each module is scored separately, then combined
- To achieve 1500+, you need the harder Module 2
SAT Score Percentiles (approximate)
| Percentile | Reading & Writing | Math | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99th (Best) | 760 and above | 790 and above | 1530 and above |
| 90th (Excellent) | 680 | 690 | 1360 |
| 75th (Good) | 610 | 590–600 | 1200 |
| 50th (Average) | 520 | 510 | 1030 |
| 25th (Poor) | 440–450 | 420–430 | 870 |
| 10th (Poorer) | 390 | 370 | 770 |
| 1st (Poorest) | 320 and below | 300 and below | 660 and below |
* Percentiles are approximate. Check College Board's website for current data.
3. What Is a Good SAT Score?
A “good” score depends entirely on where you want to apply. The national average is around 1010–1060. Here are approximate middle 50% SAT ranges for Texas universities (check official sites for current data):
1. University of Houston (UH)
| Class Rank | SAT | ACT | Admission Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top 10% | No Minimum | No Minimum | Assured Admission |
| 11–25% | 1080 | 21 | Assured Admission |
| 26–50% | 1170 | 24 | Assured Admission |
| 51% and Lower / No Rank | — | — | Individual Review |
2. University of Texas at Austin (UT)
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math | 685 | 610 | 760 |
| Reading + Writing | 670 | 620 | 720 |
| Composite | 1355 | 1240 | 1470 |
3. UH–Clear Lake (UHCL) — Regular Admission Criteria
| Admission Criteria | Admission Type |
|---|---|
| Top 50% | Assured Admission |
| 3.0 GPA or Higher | Assured Admission |
| 2.5 GPA or Higher with minimum 20 ACT | Assured Admission |
| 2.5 GPA or Higher with minimum 1000 SAT | Assured Admission |
| If Assured Admission Not Met | Individual Review |
4. Texas A&M University
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math | 638 | 570 | 710 |
| Reading + Writing | 632 | 580 | 690 |
| Composite | 1270 | 1150 | 1400 |
5. Texas Tech University
| Class Rank | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Top 10% | No Minimum | No Minimum |
| First Quarter (excl. top 10%) | 24 | 1180 |
| Second Quarter | 26 | 1240 |
| Third Quarter | 27 | 1280 |
| Fourth Quarter | Application Review | |
6. Rice University
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math | 785 | 770 | 800 |
| Reading + Writing | 755 | 740 | 770 |
| Composite | 1540 | 1510 | 1570 |
7. Texas State University
| Class Rank | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Top 25% | No minimum | No minimum |
| 2nd Quartile | 22 | 1090 |
| 3rd Quartile | 26 | 1250 |
| 4th Quartile | 29 | 1330 |
4. What to Bring on Test Day
Required
- Admission ticket (printed preferred)
- Acceptable photo ID (school ID, driver's license, passport)
- Your fully charged testing device with the Bluebook application installed and exam setup completed with username and password
- Device charger / power cord
- Pencils or Pens
Allowed / Recommended
- Approved calculator (handheld) — Desmos is built in, but a physical calculator is backup
- Extra batteries for handheld calculator
- Snacks & water (for the break)
- Backpack (to carry items)
- Backup testing device
Do NOT Bring
Smartphones (must be powered off & out of reach), smartwatches, camera devices, notes, books, or scratch paper from home. The testing app provides a built-in scratch pad.
5. How to Practice
| Resource | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Khan Academy (Official SAT Practice) | Personalized practice, full-length tests | Free |
| College Board Bluebook App | Official digital practice tests (most accurate simulation) | Free |
Practice Tips
- Practice on a device — the digital experience matters
- Take at least 2–3 full-length practice tests before test day
- Review every wrong answer to understand why you missed it
- Link your College Board account to Khan Academy for personalized recommendations
- Time yourself on practice modules to build pacing awareness
6. Study Plan
Before You Start Studying
- Take a full-length diagnostic test in the Bluebook app (official College Board test)
- Identify your starting score and target score
- Check your target schools' middle 50% SAT ranges
- Set a test date and work backward to build your schedule
| Timeline | Focus | Weekly Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 3–6 months out | Diagnostic, skill-building by domain, Khan Academy lessons | 4–6 hrs |
| 1–3 months out | Full-length practice tests, review errors, timed drills | 6–10 hrs |
| 1–2 weeks out | Light review, one final practice test, sleep & logistics | 3–4 hrs |
| Day before | No intense studying — rest, prepare materials, early bedtime | 30 min max |
Math — Key Topics to Study
- Linear equations & systems of equations
- Quadratics & polynomials
- Ratios, proportions, percentages
- Functions (linear, quadratic, exponential)
- Statistics & data interpretation
- Geometry (angles, triangles, circles)
- Word problems & unit conversions
Reading & Writing — Key Topics to Study
- Main idea & purpose questions
- Vocabulary in context
- Command of evidence (textual & quantitative)
- Transitions & logical sequence
- Grammar: punctuation, sentence structure
- Rhetorical synthesis
- Cross-text connections
7. Can You Retake the SAT?
Retake Policy
- You can retake the SAT as many times as you want
- Most students see improvement on the 2nd attempt
- College Board offers Score Choice — you decide which scores to send
- Many schools practice Superscoring: they take your highest section scores across all test dates
When to Retake
- If your score is significantly below your target school's 50th percentile
- If you ran out of time on modules — pacing can be improved
- If you feel you didn't perform your best (e.g., illness, anxiety)
SAT Test Dates (typical annual schedule)
| Month | Typical Test Date | Registration Deadline (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| August | Late August | ~3 weeks before test |
| October | Early October | ~3 weeks before test |
| November | Early November | ~3 weeks before test |
| December | Early December | ~3 weeks before test |
| March | Early March | ~3 weeks before test |
| May | Early May | ~3 weeks before test |
| June | Early June | ~3 weeks before test |
* Dates vary by year. Always confirm at collegeboard.org for official test dates and registration deadlines.
8. Cost & Registration
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| SAT Registration | ~$68 |
| Score Send (per school) | ~$13 each |
| Late registration fee | ~$30 extra |
| Fee waiver (qualifying students) | Free |
How to Register
- Create a free College Board account at collegeboard.org
- Select “Register for the SAT” and choose a test date & location
- Upload a valid photo (school ID or similar)
- Pay the fee (or apply for a fee waiver through your school counselor)
- Download your admission ticket ~1–2 weeks before test day
Fee Waivers
Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch, are in foster care, or meet other income-based criteria may receive free SAT registration. Ask your school counselor — fee waivers also cover score sends to colleges. Many Texas students qualify.