ATLAS TEST PREP
Guide to the Current SAT, Redesigned SAT, and ACT
Current SAT
Format &
Length
Scoring
Writing /
English
Math
Reading
ACT
10 Short Sections: 3 Critical
Reading, 3 Mathematics, 3 Writing
(including Essay), 1 experimental
(not scored)
-Questions have 5 answer choices
-Total Time: 3h 45m
5 Long Sections: Writing &
Language, Reading, 2 Math, Essay
(optional)
-Questions have 4 Answer Choices
-Total Time: 3h 50m (w/ Essay)
-5 Long Sections: English, Math,
Reading, Science, Essay
(optional)
-Most questions have 4 answer
choices, Math has 5
-Total Time: 3h 25m (w/ Essay)
Combined 600-2400
-CR 200-800
-Math-200-800
-Writing 200-800 (MC & Essay)
-1/4 point deducted for incorrect
answers
Combined 400-1600
-Reading and Writing 200-800
-Math 200-800
-Essay Score Separate
-“Cross-Test Scores” report
performance on Science/History/
Social Studies for entire exam
-No deduction for incorrect answers
Composite Score: 1-36
-English 1-36
-Math 1-36
-Reading 1-36
-Science 1-36
-Essay Score Separate
-No deduction for incorrect
answers
Identify and correct errors in single
sentences
-standard English grammar and
usage
-punctuation not tested
-Limited and predictable set of errors
Revise and edit a passage for logical
structure and effective rhetoric
-standard English grammar and
usage
-punctuation
-includes informational graphics
Revise and edit a passage for
logical structure and effective
rhetoric -standard English grammar and
usage -punctuation -commonly confused words
Arithmetic through Geometry
-apply core math skills to solve
mostly non-standard, tricky word
problems
-some formulas provided
-10 Grid in Questions
Pre-Algebra though basic
Trigonometry
-emphasis on Algebra
-Calculator prohibited on one section
-some formulas provided
-12 Grid in Questions
-1 extended thinking Question (4pts)
Pre-Algebra through basic
Trigonometry -math tests in a straight forward
manner -extensive range of concepts
tested -emphasis on word problems -no formulas provided
Vocabulary-based sentence
completions
Total of 7 short and long reading
passages
-many inference, tone, purpose
questions
Vocabulary de-emphasized
4 long passages and 1 paired
-2 passages including diagrams and
charts
-1 passage from U.S. “founding
document”
4 long passages -very little emphasis on
vocabulary -straightforward questions that
require reading comprehension
Does not have or test Science.
The rSAT does not have a standalone science section, but tests
through math, reading, writing, and
language piece of the exam.
40 questions over 7 passages -emphasis on graphs, charts,
diagrams, etc… -science is a reasoning test and
rarely requires any science
knowledge
25 minutes at the beginning of the
exam
-broad theme
-can be creative or formulaic in
response
-essay is scored on a 1-6 scale by
two evaluators, for a total of 2-12
50 minutes, at the end of the exam
-analyze a passage and evaluate
-students’ opinion discouraged
-essay is scored on a 2-8 scale on 3
traits (Reading, Analysis, and Writing)
-optional, but recommended
30 minutes, at the end of the
exam -prompt related to HS students -demands a structured response -essay is scored on a 1-6 scale
-optional, but recommended
Science
Essay
Redesigned SAT
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