SAT testing time

[Night Elf]

My children will be taking the SAT this saturday. The latest email from College Board said to pick kids up at 12:45. They have to be there at 7:45. Will they really be there for 5 hours? How long is the test?

[Night Elf]

We did do a practice test but I didn't know how breaks worked, so we just went through the whole test with no problems. Even with breaks, I don't understand 5 hours. I was thinking I didn't remember the test length. I knew it was 3 hours but I didn't know how much over that.

[Barbara H]

Part of what makes it take so long is that your student will be also taking one experimental section which the College Board uses to try out new test questions. The experimental section isn't identified so they may be able to tell these aren't real questions or not. It doesn't count toward the score.

 

Here's the breakdown from the College Board.

 

The SAT is made up of 10 sections:

• A 25-minute essay
• Six 25-minute sections (mathematics, critical reading and writing)
• Two 20-minute sections (mathematics, critical reading and writing)
• A 10-minute multiple-choice writing section

Total test time: 3 hours and 45 minutes

You’ll also get three short breaks during the testing, so don’t forget to bring a snack!

[Night Elf]

Thank you. I didn't know about the 3 breaks or the extra section.

[G5052]

Yes, we're not looking forward to the 7:45am start.  None of us are morning people.

 

I was glad to hear about the breaks, and that I can send snacks.  No way will mine eat breakfast before we leave!

[Barbara H]

One of the breaks is probably just a "stretch break" where they let students get up from their desk for a minute. I'm told most kids just stay seated, but I would advise if they are given a stretch break that they send up and get the blood moving a little bit. They may not want to if everyone is sitting still, but any opportunity to move they should take it.