The SAT used to take three hours. Then someone at College Board had the bold idea of making students sit for a long test… on a computer instead.
The digital SAT, which launched in the US in March 2024, now takes just 2 hours and 14 minutes.
That is nearly a full hour shorter than the old paper version.
The SAT just got a whole lot less painful.
This article will answer how long the SAT takes, as well as provide additional detail and context.
How Long does the SAT take?
The digital SAT takes 2 hours and 14 minutes, not including the break. With the 10-minute break included, the total time is 2 hours and 24 minutes.
This is a big change from the old paper SAT, which took 3 hours with no optional essay, or 3 hours and 50 minutes with it.
The optional essay section no longer exists. It was removed after June 2021.
What Time Does the SAT Start and End?
The SAT itself usually starts at about 9:00 a.m.
It is crucially important, however, to know that the doors to the testing center are only open between 7:45 a.m and 8:00 a.m.
Students must make sure to be in the room before the doors close at 8:00 a.m.
With the digital SAT, most students will finish by around 11:45 a.m.
This is much earlier than before, when students would not finish until the early afternoon.
Unlike the old paper test, students can now leave as soon as they finish — they do not have to wait for everyone else to be done.
Do you know the difference between the SAT and PSAT? (What is the PSAT?)
How Many Breaks Are There on the SAT?
The digital SAT has one 10-minute break.
This break comes between the Reading and Writing section and the Math section.
This is simpler than the old test, which had three separate breaks totaling 15 minutes.
Use the break to visit the restroom, have a small snack, and drink a little water.
Do not skip the break even if you feel fine.
Two-plus hours of focused thinking takes more out of you than you realize.
This is how long the ACT takes.
How Long Is Each Section of the SAT?
The digital SAT has two sections: Reading and Writing, and Math.
Each section is split into two modules of equal length.
The Reading and Writing section is 64 minutes long and has 54 questions across its two modules.
The Math section is 70 minutes long and has 44 questions across its two modules.
A calculator is now allowed for the entire Math section.
The Bluebook app even has a built-in Desmos graphing calculator if you need it.
There is no longer a no-calculator math section or an optional essay section.
The digital SAT has 98 total questions, compared to 154 on the old paper version.
How Many Minutes Is Each Question on the SAT?
This brings us to one of the most important questions, which is how long to spend on each question on the SAT.
Proper pacing is important in order to be able to answer as many questions correctly as possible.
The following table breaks down how much time to spend on each question in each section of the exam.
| SAT Section | Minutes | # of Questions | Time per Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 64 | 54 | about 71 seconds |
| Math | 70 | 44 | about 95 seconds |
The Reading and Writing section has 54 questions in 64 minutes, giving students about 71 seconds per question.
The Math section has 44 questions in 70 minutes, giving students about 95 seconds per question.
Compared to the ACT, the SAT gives students 67% more time per question.
This makes pacing a little less stressful on the SAT.
How the Adaptive Format Affects Timing
One of the biggest changes to the digital SAT is that it is now adaptive.
This means the test adjusts its difficulty based on how you perform.
The first module of each section has a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions.
If you do well on the first module, the second module will be harder.
If you struggle on the first module, the second module will be easier.
Either way, the number of questions and time limits stay exactly the same.
You need to qualify for the harder second module to reach the highest possible scores.
This is why doing your best right from the start matters so much.
The good news is that scores are now returned in days rather than weeks, thanks to the digital format.
Curious about what all this prep leads to? Check out average college graduate salaries to see what a degree can be worth.
How to Manage Your Time During the SAT
In addition to studying and preparing for the content within the SAT, it is also critically important to practice managing your time correctly.
The first step in managing one’s time is to review the average time per question.
This information, along with the number of questions and total time per section, is described in the section and table above.
Use this as a guide while you are preparing for the test to practice keeping an appropriate pace.
The digital SAT has a useful bookmark feature.
You can flag any question to come back to later within the same module.
This makes it easier to skip tricky questions and return to them if time allows.
The time per question is an average.
If a student answers several questions more quickly than the average, then he or she will have extra time to spend on more challenging questions.
If a student is spending too much time on one question, it is better to move on.
He or she should answer as many other questions correctly as they can and come back to that one later, if there is time.
Students should keep in mind that they may want to review their work, as well.
Making the Best Use of Breaks During the SAT
Another factor in managing one’s time during the SAT is to make the best use of the break time.
Over two hours is a long time to focus, so it is important to use the break to refresh one’s energy and attention.
The 10-minute break comes after the Reading and Writing section.
This is a good time to use the restroom, have a small healthy snack, and a little bit of water.
The main goal is to stay as alert as possible, without being overly stressed or distracted.
Want to understand more about the students taking this test? See our high school statistics overview.
How Long Does the SAT Take?
The digital SAT takes 2 hours and 14 minutes, not including the break.
With the single 10-minute break, the total time comes to 2 hours and 24 minutes.
This is nearly a full hour shorter than the old paper version of the test.
There is no longer an optional essay section.
The test now has just two sections: Reading and Writing, and Math, each split into two adaptive modules.
Students can leave as soon as they finish, without waiting for others.