Types of SAT Questions You Need to Know NOW in 2025!
Note: This is a breakdown of all the sections and types of SAT questions. Check out my article on why you should take the SAT and a general summary.
Scoring a 1500+ on the SAT isn’t just about being naturally smart — it’s about having the right strategy, mindset, and tools. Whether you’re aiming for top-tier colleges or just want to challenge yourself, reaching that score is 100% achievable with focused preparation and a smart study plan.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what it takes to join the 1500+ club — from understanding how the SAT is structured, to mastering high-impact test-taking strategies. If you’re serious about crushing the SAT and maximizing your score, this is where the real change begins.
To do well on the SAT, it’s important to build up your soft skills first. Notably, make sure to break your procrastination habits, manage your time, and start locking in and being more productive!
Now, let’s dive in.
(All SAT-related images courtesy of Khan Academy)
Answers are in the image captions.
Full Breakdown of all Types of SAT Questions
For the SAT, there are many different sections, or “modules” as Collegeboard calls them, that it includes.
The SAT includes several modules. Each one tests different skills — and understanding the types of SAT questions in each section is key to scoring high.
SAT Reading and Writing
The first two modules cover evidence-based reading and writing. These short passages test how well you understand structure, tone, and grammar.
They questions split into 4 main categories, as defined by Collegeboard:
| Category | % Weight | # of Questions per Test |
| Information and Ideas | 26% | 12-14 questions |
| Craft and Structure | 28% | 13-15 questions |
| Expression of Ideas | 20% | 8-12 questions |
| Standard English Conventions | 26% | 11-15 questions |
The categories are weighted pretty evenly so it’s suggested to spend an equal amount of time studying everything.
Information and Ideas
Collegeboard definition: Measures comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills and knowledge and the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, and integrate information and ideas from texts and informational graphics (tables, bar graphs, and line graphs).
This section tests reading comprehension. You’ll analyze short texts, then answer a question tied to each one. Some ask you to make inferences, while others involve graphs or data interpretation. These types of SAT questions require careful reading and logical reasoning.
There will be specific areas in which the questions ask you about, or it will give you some information and ask you to infer what happens next.
Each question will have a different article to read. They are all pretty short and can be read fairly quickly.
Here’s an example:
Like the description, there will also be questions where you will need to analyze graphs, tables, or data. This is NOT math-related; it’s testing your ability to use evidence, which is the data, graph, table, etc., to logically answer a question.
Here’s an example:
Craft and Structure
Collegeboard definition: Measures the comprehension, vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, and reasoning skills and knowledge needed to understand and use high-utility words and phrases in context, evaluate texts rhetorically, and make connections between topically related texts.
Here, you’re asked to think big-picture. These questions test your ability to evaluate tone, structure, and rhetorical purpose. Expect to summarize main ideas or evaluate how parts of a passage connect.
Instead of pinpointing one specific part of the passage, it might ask you about the passage as a whole. Maybe as an elementary schooler, you might’ve remembered being asked the “main idea” or the “setting” of a particular story.
Here’s an example:
That is basically what this section focuses on: broad descriptions and general summaries of a text.
Furthermore, you will be tested on vocabulary. These questions will give you a passage to read with a blank in somewhere in it. You must fill in the blank with “the most logical word” that fits the context.
Here’s an example:
Expression of Ideas
Collegeboard definition: Measures the ability to revise texts to improve the effectiveness of written expression and to meet specific rhetoric goals.
This section focuses on improving clarity and flow. Think of yourself as an editor — how would you revise a sentence to make it more effective? These types of SAT questions test your ability to organize information and adjust wording for precision.
This all may seem confusing, so let me give you an example:
Alternatively, you can picture yourself as a grader. If you were trying to comment a particular passage, what changes would you suggest? How can you make the writing flow better? What sentence structure would fit the context the best? Are there any phrases that could be added to improve clarity?
We need to identify the WHY before the HOW. Why is this passage significant to our understanding of this topic? What is the reason behind writing this passage?
Not sure yet? This is another example that demonstrates this concept:
Standard English Conventions
Collegeboard definition: Measures the ability to edit text to conform to core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.
Memorizing rules around punctuation, subject-verb agreement, and modifiers is the best way to crush these types of SAT questions.
Now it’s time to bring back all that grammar knowledge and apply it to this section. This is probably one of the easiest sections to conquer because it is ALL memorization.
There are a handful of rules to know, and once you do, you’re ready to do every single grammar question on the SAT.
Here’s an example:
Another example:
Another question you may encounter is transitions. You might need to compile a list of transition words, as there will be some new ones you haven’t heard of before. Other than that, it should be pretty straightforward.
Here’s an example of that:
One last thing, if you’re a native English speaker, try NOT to pick the answer that “sounds right.” More often than not, whatever “sounds right,” probably isn’t right. How we talk is not how we write.
Do yourself a favor, STUDY GRAMMAR. Afterwards, this section will be a walk in the park. Trust me.
SAT Math
The next two modules are the math section.
Like the reading and writing section, the math section is also split into 4 categories.
| Category | % Weight | # of Questions per Test |
| Algebra | 35% | 13-15 questions |
| Advanced Math | 35% | 13-15 questions |
| Problem Solving and Data Analysis | 15% | 5-7 questions |
| Geometry and Trigonometry | 15% | 5-7 questions |
Each of these includes specific types of SAT questions you’ll need to be familiar with — from systems of equations to interpreting scatterplots.
Contrary to popular belief, the math section doesn’t actually include anything past Algebra II. Most questions will incorporate concepts from Algebra as well as Geometry.
The SAT highly favors word problems, so you will rarely see a question that will just ask you to solve an equation.
It will have some sort of logical or critical thinking aspect to it. This ensures you are not just blatantly memorizing, but actually understanding the topic and can apply it to various scenarios.
Algebra
This is an extremely broad category covering pretty much all of Algebra I & II. You probably forgot what you learned in both of these classes. These types of SAT questions tend to focus on core algebraic reasoning and problem-solving.
Luckily for you, the SAT will not test EVERY topic in Algebra. They will only cover a select few, most of which are taught right at the beginning.
These are the topics:
- Linear equations in with 1 or 2 variables
- Linear functions
- Systems of 2 linear equations in 2 variables
- Linear inequalities in 1 or 2 variables
As you can see, most of it is solving equations. It will cover both linear AND quadratic functions. The SAT also loves to test concepts, so you must also understand the essential components of each.
As such, topics like slope, slope-intercept form, and graphing linear equations will commonly appear. In terms of quadratic functions, you need to know the discriminant, basics of factoring, as well as all the parts and steps in graphing/analyzing parabolas.
Here are a few examples of some of the questions possible in this section:
Advanced Math
While Algebra focuses on the foundations, advanced math hones in on applying that knowledge. How will they do that? WORD PROBLEMS.
Additionally, it will introduce more complex concepts like nonlinear equations and functions. These types of SAT questions test your ability to translate word problems into solvable equations.
Many problems under this category will have a simple concept, but it will be framed in a way in which it may be difficult to understand. Since it’s all about applications, expect to use those Algebra concepts from before.
These are the topics:
- Equivalent expressions
- Nonlinear equations in 1 variable
- Systems of equations in 2 variables
- Nonlinear functions
In terms of where these questions will be applied, they will be in any STEM sector. You could have a problem that involves a linear system of equations in a chemistry setting, or measuring the maximum height of a baseball. The possibilities are endless. Be prepared for anything they throw at you.
These are meant to weed out the people who don’t understand the concepts. If you have a firm grasp of said concepts, you should be good to go!
Here is an example of that:
Problem Solving and Data Analysis
This section is focused on analyzing and interpreting data. This can be in the form of graphs, tables, or even ratios.
These types of SAT questions are tricky because they often trip students up who rely too much on calculations rather than logic. You need to understand the scenario and be able to apply a certain theorem or use logic to deduce the answer.
One example of this:
There are also probability questions. It doesn’t require any formulas, as it is just logical reasoning. They might also incorporate a data table into it, to evaluate whether you can effectively use the table and the concept.
An example of that:
Finally, this section includes statistical claims. These are the more “sciency” questions, but they don’t test specific science knowledge. Once again, more data analysis, but specifically on experimental claims and observations.
Statistical Claim example:
These are the topics:
- Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units
- Percentages
- One-variable data: distributions and measures of center and spread
- Two-variable data: models and scatterplots
- Probability and conditional probability
- Inference from sample statistics and margin of error
- Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments
Moreover, this section also ties back to Algebra. A question may ask you to analyze a scatterplot graph, then follow up by determining the slope or y-intercept.
Like I said before, the key here is not to memorize the knowledge, but be able to apply the concept to different situations. That way, you get the practice and be more confident during the actual SAT!
Geometry and Trigonometry
Although the name sounds overwhelming, these types of SAT questions don’t show up very often. Even if they do, it will be very basic. It covers topics like basic angles, geometric shapes, congruence theorems, and SOH-CAH-TOA.
Here’s an example:
For these questions specifically, drawing a picture to visualize the shape is extremely helpful. For example, you might be asked to determine whether two triangles are similar. It’s quite difficult to mentally visualize the spatial orientation of the shape, so labeling each side on paper can improve clarity.
Also, key concepts like the Pythagorean Theorem and properties of geometric shapes are frequently tested. Make sure to keep those fresh in your mind during the SAT!
These are the topics:
- Area and volume formulas
- Lines, angles, and triangles
- Right triangles and trigonometry
- Circles
Here’s another example:
Conclusion
The table here summarizes what each section covers in SAT math:
| Algebra | – Linear equations in with 1 or 2 variables – Linear functions – Systems of 2 linear equations in 2 variables – Linear inequalities in 1 or 2 variables |
| Advanced Math | – Equivalent expressions – Nonlinear equations in 1 variable – Systems of equations in 2 variables – Nonlinear functions |
| Problem Solving and Data Analysis | – Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units – Percentages – One-variable data: distributions and -measures of center and spread – Two-variable data: models and scatterplots – Probability and conditional probability – Inference from sample statistics and margin of error – Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments |
| Geometry and Trigonometry | – Area and volume formulas – Lines, angles, and triangles – Right triangle trigonometry (SOH-CAH-TOA) – Circles |
Mastering the SAT isn’t about cramming or being a “natural genius” — it’s about knowing exactly what to expect and building a plan that works for YOU. By breaking down each section, understanding the types of SAT questions, and focusing on your weak spots, you’re already ahead of the game.
If this guide helped clarify things for you, share it with a friend who’s also preparing for the SAT — you might just help them reach their goal score too!
And if you want to dive deeper into official test formats or grab full-length practice exams, check out the College Board’s SAT website for trusted and up-to-date info.
Stay consistent, stay focused, and you’ll crush this test.
