sat essay questions pdf

SAT Essay Prompts (10 Sample Questions)

What does it take to get a high SAT Essay score, if not perfect it? Practice, practice and more practice! Know the tricks and techniques of writing the perfect SAT Essay, so that you can score perfect as well. That’s not a far off idea, because there actually is a particular “formula” for perfecting the SAT Essay test. Consider that every prompt has a format, and what test-takers are required to do remain the same- even if the passage varies from test to test.

The SAT Essay test will ask you to read an argument that is intended to persuade a general audience. You’ll need to discuss how proficient the author is in arguing their point. Analyze the argument of the author and create an integrated and structured essay that explains your analysis.

On this page, we will feature 10 real SAT Essay prompts that have been recently released online by the College Board. You can utilize these Essay SAT prompts as 10 sample SAT Essay questions for easy practice. This set of SAT Essay prompts is the most comprehensive that you will find online today.

The predictability of the SAT Essay test necessitates students to perform an organized analytical method of writing instead of thinking up random ideas on their own. Consider that what you will see before and after the passage remains consistent. It is recommended that you initially read and apply the techniques suggested in writing the perfect SAT Essay (🡨link to SAT Essay —- SAT Essay Overview: How to Get a Perfect Score) before proceeding on using the following essay prompts for practice.

Check our SAT Reading Practice Tests

10 Official SAT Essay Prompts For Practice

Practice Test 1

“Write an essay in which you explain how Jimmy Carter builds an argument to persuade his audience that the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge should not be developed for industry.”

Practice Test 2

“Write an essay in which you explain how Martin Luther King Jr. builds an argument to persuade his audience that American involvement in the Vietnam War is unjust.”

Practice Test 3

“Write an essay in which you explain how Eliana Dockterman builds an argument to persuade her audience that there are benefits to early exposure to technology.”

Practice Test 4

“Write an essay in which you explain how Paul Bogard builds an argument to persuade his audience that natural darkness should be preserved.”

Practice Test 5

“Write an essay in which you explain how Eric Klinenberg builds an argument to persuade his audience that Americans need to greatly reduce their reliance on air-conditioning.”

Practice Test 6

“Write an essay in which you explain how Christopher Hitchens builds an argument to persuade his audience that the original Parthenon sculptures should be returned to Greece.”

Practice Test 7

“Write an essay in which you explain how Zadie Smith builds an argument to persuade her audience that public libraries are important and should remain open”

Practice Test 8

“Write an essay in which you explain how Bobby Braun builds an argument to persuade his audience that the US government must continue to invest in NASA.”

Practice Test 9

“Write an essay in which you explain how Richard Schiffman builds an argument to persuade his audience that Americans need to work fewer hours.”

Practice Test 10

“Write an essay in which you explain how Todd Davidson builds an argument to persuade his audience that the US government must continue to fund national parks.”

Visit our SAT Writing Practice Tests

What Is An Example Of A SAT Essay That Obtained A Perfect Score?

Here is an example of Practice Test 4 above and how a perfect SAT Essay in response to it looks like. This has been published in the College Board website.

Answer Essay with Perfect Score:

In response to our world’s growing reliance on artificial light, writer Paul Bogard argues that natural darkness should be preserved in his article “Let There be dark”. He effectively builds his argument by using a personal anecdote, allusions to art and history, and rhetorical questions.

Bogard starts his article off by recounting a personal story – a summer spent on a Minnesota lake where there was “woods so dark that [his] hands disappeared before [his] eyes.” In telling this brief anecdote, Bogard challenges the audience to remember a time where they could fully amass themselves in natural darkness void of artificial light. By drawing in his readers with a personal encounter about night darkness, the author means to establish the potential for beauty, glamour, and awe-inspiring mystery that genuine darkness can possess. He builds his argument for the preservation of natural darkness by reminiscing for his readers a first-hand encounter that proves the “irreplaceable value of darkness.” This anecdote provides a baseline of sorts for readers to find credence with the author’s claims.

Bogard’s argument is also furthered by his use of allusion to art – Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” – and modern history – Paris’ reputation as “The City of Light”. By first referencing “Starry Night”, a painting generally considered to be undoubtedly beautiful, Bogard establishes that the natural magnificence of stars in a dark sky is definite. A world absent of excess artificial light could potentially hold the key to a grand, glorious night sky like Van Gogh’s according to the writer. This urges the readers to weigh the disadvantages of our world consumed by unnatural, vapid lighting. Furthermore, Bogard’s alludes to Paris as “the famed ‘city of light’”. He then goes on to state how Paris has taken steps to exercise more sustainable lighting practices. By doing this, Bogard creates a dichotomy between Paris’ traditionally alluded-to name and the reality of what Paris is becoming – no longer “the city of light”, but moreso “the city of light…before 2 AM”. This furthers his line of argumentation because it shows how steps can be and are being taken to preserve natural darkness. It shows that even a city that is literally famous for being constantly lit can practically address light pollution in a manner that preserves the beauty of both the city itself and the universe as a whole

Finally, Bogard makes subtle yet efficient use of rhetorical questioning to persuade his audience that natural darkness preservation is essential. He asks the readers to consider “what the vision of the night sky might inspire in each of us, in our children or grandchildren?” in a way that brutally plays to each of our emotions. By asking this question, Bogard draws out heartfelt ponderance from his readers about the affecting power of an untainted night sky. This rhetorical question tugs at the readers’ heartstrings; while the reader may have seen an unobscured night skyline before, the possibility that their child or grandchild will never get the chance sways them to see as Bogard sees. This strategy is definitively an appeal to pathos, forcing the audience to directly face an emotionally-charged inquiry that will surely spur some kind of response. By doing this, Bogard develops his argument, adding gutthral power to the idea that the issue of maintaining natural darkness is relevant and multifaceted.

Writing as a reaction to his disappointment that artificial light has largely permeated the prescence of natural darkness, Paul Bogard argues that we must preserve true, unaffected darkness. He builds this claim by making use of a personal anecdote, allusions, and rhetorical questioning.

Related Topic:  SAT Requirements

This response scored a 4/4/4.

Reading—4: This response demonstrates thorough comprehension of the source text through skillful use of paraphrases and direct quotations. The writer briefly summarizes the central idea of Bogard’s piece ( natural darkness should be preserved ;  we must preserve true, unaffected darkness ), and presents many details from the text, such as referring to the personal anecdote that opens the passage and citing Bogard’s use of  Paris’ reputation as “The City of Light.” There are few long direct quotations from the source text; instead, the response succinctly and accurately captures the entirety of Bogard’s argument in the writer’s own words, and the writer is able to articulate how details in the source text interrelate with Bogard’s central claim. The response is also free of errors of fact or interpretation. Overall, the response demonstrates advanced reading comprehension.

Analysis—4:  This response offers an insightful analysis of the source text and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the analytical task. In analyzing Bogard’s use of personal anecdote, allusions to art and history, and rhetorical questions , the writer is able to explain carefully and thoroughly how Bogard builds his argument over the course of the passage. For example, the writer offers a possible reason for why Bogard chose to open his argument with a personal anecdote, and is also able to describe the overall effect of that choice on his audience ( In telling this brief anecdote, Bogard challenges the audience to remember a time where they could fully amass themselves in natural darkness void of artificial light. By drawing in his readers with a personal encounter…the author means to establish the potential for beauty, glamour, and awe-inspiring mystery that genuine darkness can possess…. This anecdote provides a baseline of sorts for readers to find credence with the author’s claims ). The cogent chain of reasoning indicates an understanding of the overall effect of Bogard’s personal narrative both in terms of its function in the passage and how it affects his audience. This type of insightful analysis is evident throughout the response and indicates advanced analytical skill.

Writing—4: The response is cohesive and demonstrates highly effective use and command of language. The response contains a precise central claim ( He effectively builds his argument by using personal anecdote, allusions to art and history, and rhetorical questions ), and the body paragraphs are tightly focused on those three elements of Bogard’s text. There is a clear, deliberate progression of ideas within paragraphs and throughout the response. The writer’s brief introduction and conclusion are skillfully written and encapsulate the main ideas of Bogard’s piece as well as the overall structure of the writer’s analysis. There is a consistent use of both precise word choice and well-chosen turns of phrase ( the natural magnificence of stars in a dark sky is definite ,  our world consumed by unnatural, vapid lighting ,  the affecting power of an untainted night sky ). Moreover, the response features a wide variety in sentence structure and many examples of sophisticated sentences ( By doing this, Bogard creates a dichotomy between Paris’ traditionally alluded-to name and the reality of what Paris is becoming – no longer “the city of light”, but moreso “the city of light…before 2AM” ). The response demonstrates a strong command of the conventions of written English. Overall, the response exemplifies advanced writing proficiency.

Related Topics:

• Practice Tests for SAT Reading
• SAT Writing And Language Practice Tests
• SAT Languages Test
• SAT Essay Test  SAT Writing Practice Tests
• SAT Science Test, Topics & Subjects Content
• SAT Registration
• SAT Test Dates
• SAT vs ACT, Which One Should You Take?
• Why Take the SAT?

Free SAT Practice Test with Answers and Explanations (PDF)

We’re so excited to give you access to this full-length printable SAT practice test. This practice test was put together by SAT prep expert Chris Lele , Magoosh’s Principal Curriculum Manager. He and our experts have spent days crafting the 154 questions you’ll find inside, which we then thoroughly student- and tutor-tested until the data told us that the test was more than up to snuff. Sign up below to access the free practice test PDF!

  So what will you see in the PDF?

Well, 154 questions, to start. But beyond that, the test has…

• SAT Reading Test (65 Minutes, 52 Questions)
• SAT Writing and Language Test (35 Minutes, 44 Questions)
• SAT Math Section – No Calculator Test (25 Minutes, 20 Questions)
• SAT Math Section – Calculator Test (55 Minutes, 38 Questions)
• An answer key
• Information on grading your test
• Links to text and video explanations for every single question on ech section of the test

Where to Find Full-Length SAT Practice Tests (Even Official Ones)

There are a few great places to look for full-length SAT practice tests! Here are our top recommendations:

• Khan Academy : Khan Academy has paired up with the College Board (they’re the test creators) to offer free online practice SAT tests. There are four full exams on the Khan Academy site, which can also be found on the College Board site. After you’ve taken an exam or two, you can then sharpen your skills with practice in different areas with resources on Khan Academy’s site and elsewhere.
• Magoosh Prep : you can choose between a live cohorted class with an instructor (which includes all our lessons and practice questions) or access to the self-study option by itself.

Why do I need to take a full-length practice test?

To maximize your score on the SAT , you’ll need three things:

• Practice questions
• Practice tests

And despite what a lot of students believe, those last two aren’t interchangeable! Lessons are super valuable for reviewing content that you might not have seen for a while—or ever. Practice questions are great for making sure you’ve mastered (and continue to remember) the lesson content.

Learn it, practice it…why the third step? Well, first of all, the official SAT won’t have an “algebra” problem set or a “geometry” problem set. It’ll have all kinds of question types mixed together within the three sections. That means that studying different content areas is a very different experience from test day, when you’ll be in front of the exam for at least three hours (more if you’re taking the essay). So you need to get ready with multiple practice tests !

How to Take an SAT Practice Test

Ready to mimic the official experience? Fantastic! All students can benefit from taking an SAT practice test– unless your test is the next morning, in which case, get your rest! For the rest of you, here’s what to do:

• Set aside approximately four hours of uninterrupted time to take the practice test.
• Take the test in a quiet place where you won’t be distracted.
• Mimic test day conditions by turning off your phone and leaving it in another room.
• Try to take the entire practice test in one sitting.
• Eat a healthy, energizing snack before taking the practice test.
• Give yourself a brief, 10-minute break after the Reading test.
• Give yourself a brief, five-minute break after the Math (No Calculator) test.
• Use a countdown timer and remember to reset it for each test.

Lucky for you, you don’t have to remember half of these steps if you follow our simulated SAT practice test below, proctored by Magoosh curriculum manager Kat .

All you’d need to do is print your test, find a quiet place, set aside a few hours, and press play to simulate a test-day experience in the comfort of your own home!

What to Do After Practice Tests

After the test, it is critical that you check your answers and make note of any questions you missed. In fact, it’s a good idea to spend at least as much time examining your results as you did taking the test. Why? Well, did you get a question right because you knew the answer, or because you were guessing? Did you get a question wrong because you filled in the wrong bubble? (Practice tests help a lot with this latter problem, by the way!)

Make sure to check the explanations for every question you get wrong, so that you don’t repeat the same mistakes on test day. After you’ve examined your results, do some practice in your weak areas.

Signing up for Magoosh SAT Prep is a great way to learn or relearn concepts you need help with and get access to additional practice problems.

After working on your weak areas and brushing up on your strong areas, take another test and do the same process all over again! In the next section, we highlight some resources that will help you structure your SAT prep after taking your first practice test.

Free Practice Materials

While free practice resources for the SAT may not be as easy to find once you’ve finished the work available here and on the College Board site, don’t worry! There are plenty of other online resources–both free and low-cost (including this blog!)–that will allow you to target your weaker areas and keep your strong areas strong.

• Magoosh SAT eBook
• Complete Guide to SAT Scoring
• SAT Diagnostic Test
• SAT Question of the Day
• SAT Flashcards (Prep and Vocab)
• Magoosh SAT 7-Day Free Trial

A Final Word

You’ve made it this far. Congratulations! The SAT can have many implications for the college admissions process, which can intimidate students. Getting this far shows commitment—the same kind of commitment you need to master the SAT.

So what are you waiting for? Dig out those #2 pencils, find yourself a quiet corner, and get on it! It’s time to start boosting your test score .

Rachel is a Magoosh Content Creator. She writes and updates content on our High School and GRE Blogs to ensure students are equipped with the best information during their test prep journey. As a test-prep instructor for more than five years in there different countries, Rachel has helped students around the world prepare for various standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT, and she is one of the authors of our Magoosh ACT Prep Book . Rachel has a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature from Brown University, an MA in Cinematography from the Université de Paris VII, and a Ph.D. in Film Studies from University College London. For over a decade, Rachel has honed her craft as a fiction and memoir writer and public speaker. Her novel, THE BALLERINAS , is forthcoming in December 2021 from St. Martin’s Press , while her memoir, GRADUATES IN WONDERLAND , co-written with Jessica Pan, was published in 2014 by Penguin Random House. Her work has appeared in over a dozen online and print publications, including Vanity Fair Hollywood. When she isn’t strategically stringing words together at Magoosh, you can find Rachel riding horses or with her nose in a book. Join her on Twitter , Instagram , or Facebook !

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Chris Lele is the Principal Curriculum Manager (and vocabulary wizard ) at Magoosh. Chris graduated from UCLA with a BA in Psychology and has 20 years of experience in the test prep industry. He’s been quoted as a subject expert in many publications, including US News , GMAC , and Business Because . In his time at Magoosh, Chris has taught countless students how to tackle the GRE , GMAT, SAT, ACT, MCAT (CARS), and LSAT exams with confidence. Some of his students have even gone on to get near-perfect scores. You can find Chris on YouTube , LinkedIn , Twitter and Facebook !

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6 responses to “Free SAT Practice Test with Answers and Explanations (PDF)”

Very informational and comprehensive, thanks.

Do you tutor students outside of the United States with your online SAT COURSE to take the test in Nigeria

Not yet a student But about to be one

Welcome! We’re glad you’ve chosen to study with us! 😀

Please I want to ask a question,the question is that did you tutor student outside your country,me typing am from Nigeria, because I we like to be one of your student because I have some motivation in this.

Hi Temituro!

Thanks for writing! Magoosh students come from all over the world — because our product and curriculum are all online, all you need is an internet connection and a device to join. You can read more details here: https://sat.magoosh.com/plans

Best of luck to you! 😀

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A Complete List of Real SAT Essay Prompts (March 2005 – June 2015)

A complete compilation of real SAT essay prompts administered historically by the College Board for different test periods.

• Prompts: October 2014 – June 2015
• Prompts: October 2013 – June 2014
• Prompts: October 2012 – June 2013
• Prompts: October 2011 – June 2012
• Prompts: October 2010 – June 2011
• Prompts: October 2009 – June 2010
• Prompts: October 2008 – June 2009
• Prompts: October 2007 – June 2008
• Prompts: October 2006 – June 2007
• Prompts:_March 2005 – June 2006

SAT essay prompts contain a first part which is a passage or quote, followed by a second part which is the assignment.

For practice, you could write an entire essay on one of the prompts, or you could identify one historical, one literary, and one current event example that could be useful for each prompt.  If you have taken a course at our center, you will remember that you should research and memorize 5 literary, 5 historical, and 5 current event examples on a variety of topics before you walk into the test.  This strategy saves you valuable time and ensures your examples are detailed, accurate, and original.

For SAT Tips on the Writing section, please click:  25-Minute Essay Strategies .

Click HERE  to find out more about SAT Prep!

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Home > College Admissions > SAT > SAT Practice Test

SAT Practice Test

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Congrats on taking our SAT Sample Quiz. Take one of our full-length SAT practice tests or one of our study sets. Everything is 100% free!

1 . Question

What percentage does 90 represent in relation to 360?

2 . Question

7 added to 4 times a quantity y is equal to 62. Which equation represents this condition?

• a. 7(4y) = 62
• b. 7 – 4y = 62
• c. 7 + 4y = 62
• d. 4y – 7 = 62

3 . Question

For a cost of $57, how many pounds of avocados were bought at a rate of $19 per pound?

4 . Question

The table displays three sets of values for x and their corresponding f(x) values for a linear function f. What equation accurately represents the definition of f(x)?

• a. f(x) = 6x + 65
• b. f(x) = 8x + 65
• c. f(x) = 65x + 73
• d. f(x) = 73x + 81

5 . Question

If \frac{x}{15}=20 , what is the value of \frac{15}{x} ?

6 . Question

What is the equation that defines line p in the xy-plane, given that it passes through the point (-4, 6) and has a slope of 6?

• a. y = 6x + 30
• b. y = 6x – 30
• c. y = 6 + 30x
• d. y = 6x – 30x

7 . Question

2.5b + 5r = 80

The provided equation expresses the connection between the quantity of biscuits (b) and raisins (r) that a reviewer business can handle in a single day. If the business is tending to 16 raisins on a specific day, what is the capacity for biscuits that it can manage on the same day?

8 . Question

In a specific rectangular area, the length-to-width ratio is 45 : 15. If the width of the region grows by 8 units, how should the length be adjusted to uphold this ratio?

• a. It must decrease by 24.5 units.
• b. It must increase by 24.5 units.
• c. It must decrease by 24 units.
• d. It must increase by 24 units.

9 . Question

In a circle with center O, the arc XY measures 105°. What is the degree measure of the angle XOY that corresponds to this arc?

10 . Question

In a right triangle, the side lengths are 3\sqrt3 , 2\sqrt3 ,and \sqrt{70} units. What is the area of the triangle in square units?

*Enter in just the number for your answer.

All SAT Practice Tests

If you want some more in-depth prep, use a free SAT practice test listed below.

• Practice Exams = Timed and Full-Length
• Practice Sets = Not Timed and Smaller Sets of Questions

SAT Practice Exam #1

SAT Practice Exam #2

SAT Practice Exam #3

SAT Practice Exam #4

SAT Math Practice Sets

SAT Reading & Writing Practice Sets

If you want some additional help with prepping for the SAT, consider using  SAT prep courses .

Official SAT PDF Practice Exams

If you want to study using PDFs, use the links below. These are full-length practice exams provided by the CollegeBoard.

Overview of the SAT

The SAT is an entrance exam used by colleges and universities to help make decisions about admissions.

The SAT is administered by the CollegeBoard and is given 7 times per year. The exam is a timed, mainly multiple-choice exam, taken by students in high school.

Beginning in the spring of 2024, the SAT will be going fully digital. The digital SAT (DSAT) will have some formatting and content changes to it, along with some other changes. You can review those changes below.

New SAT (Digital SAT)

This exam will be given to students starting in spring of 2024.

Old SAT (Written Exam)

This exam will be given to students up until spring of 2024.

The biggest difference between the old SAT and the digital SAT is that the digital SAT is taken completely online and has combined some sections to streamline the exam.

Scoring of the SAT

You will receive a score for math and a score for reading/writing. Each of those scores will be between 200 and 800 .

Your total score will be the sum of those two scores. You can receive a total score between 400 and 1600 on the SAT.

The average SAT score is 1060. Learn more about good SAT scores .

Registering for the SAT and Test Dates

You can register for the SAT online via the CollegeBoard site .

You will need to do the following when registering for the SAT:

• Have a Valid Photo ID
• Upload a Photo of Yourself When Registering Online
• Pay Registration Fees
• Print Your Admission Ticket

It will cost your $60 to take the SAT. There may be some additional fees like canceling, changing test center, etc..

The SAT is typically given 7 times per year. The exam is given on Saturdays. You can expect the exam to be given in these months:

• Early March
• Late August
• Early October
• Early November
• Early December

You can find exact dates on the official website .

Steps for Using SAT Practice

When using our free SAT practice tests, we recommend the following steps to get the most out of your time:

• Take 1 practice exam from each subject.
• Determine which subject you struggled the most with.
• Focus on that 1 subject moving forward. Take additional practice exams in that subject, study important concepts, and invest in a SAT prep course if need be.
• Take a practice exam on that subject again and see where you stand. Continue to focus on that subject if you need more help or move on to another subject if you did well on this practice exam.
• Repeat steps 3 and 4 for other subjects.

Benefits of Using SAT Practice Questions

There are many benefits to using SAT questions during your prep process. Some of those benefits include:

Help With Timing

The SAT exam is a timed test. Keeping a steady pace is critical to achieving a high score.

You can improve your decision making and your time by taking practice exams.

Test Familiarity

All standardized tests, including the SAT, have their own unique way of presenting questions and answer choices.

You will gain more familiarity and comfort with the SAT question style as you take more practice quizzes. On the real exam day, there will be no surprises.

Efficient Studying

When you take many practice exams, you will get a sense of your test strengths and weaknesses.

Many students mistakenly spend time working on their strengths while ignoring their weaknesses.

Knowing which subjects you struggle with will help you focus your study time.

Work On Problem Solving

Tests like the SAT measure your ability to solve problems, not just memorize information. It is critical to have strong problem-solving abilities.

The answer explanations provided in our score reports can help you understand how to solve problems that you may be struggling with.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the sat going to the digital format.

The SAT will be switching to the digital format in the spring of 2024.

How many questions are on the SAT?

There are 154 questions on the old SAT (written version).

There are 98 questions on the new SAT (digital version).

How much time do you have to take the SAT?

You will have 3 hours and 15 minutes to take the old SAT (written version).

You will have 2 hours and 14 minutes to take the new SAT (digital version).

Can I use a calculator on the math section of the SAT?

There will be 1 math section in which you can use a calculator and 1 math section in which you cannot use a calculator on the old SAT (written version).

You will be permitted to use a calculator on all math modules on the new SAT (digital version).

What is a good way to practice for the SAT?

We recommend taking 1 practice exam for each subject. You can then determine which subject gave you the most trouble and focus your studies on that subject.

• Authored By: Adam Groden
• Last Updated: January 19, 2024

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, a massive collection of free sat practice tests.

SAT Strategies , SAT General Info , New SAT

Whether you're building your own SAT prep program or just supplementing a class, finding SAT practice tests and questions can pose a serious challenge. This article will go through every type of practice SAT test, how to best use them, and, most importantly, where to find them.

What You Need SAT Practice Tests For

Before we get into the many different sources of SAT practice tests, let's talk about why you need a deep well of practice material to draw from and the different ways you'll use these resources.

Real Practice Tests

A key part of SAT prep is taking full-length practice tests in realistic conditions . Since you want to mimic the SAT experience as closely as possible, you'll need to use real SATs. Using official tests for SAT practice questions also gives you a better prediction of your score and can help you determine what areas you need to focus on.

You'll want to use at least three tests for this purpose and make sure they're the most current version of the SAT (from 2016 onward).

Question Analysis

Official SAT questions have their own style and logic, which other test writers aren't always great at imitating. Unsurprisingly, then, the best way to understand the SAT is to study with actual SATs.

As part of your test prep, spend some time looking really closely at official SAT questions and thinking about what they're asking and how each question is constructed. The more familiar you become with the unique structure and language of SAT questions, the less daunting the test will seem.

Subject Practice

The final type of SAT prep is practicing with the various types of test questions to hone your section-specific strategies and grasp of the content. Subject-targeted practice will also ensure that you know how to employ your math and grammar knowledge effectively to answer SAT-style questions.

Though official SAT questions are the ideal materials for this type of practice, it's less important that you focus exclusively on real SAT questions . Using unofficial materials to practice general strategies will help you save official SATs to use as full practice tests.

Now that you know what you'll need SAT practice tests for, let's go through the different places you can find each type of them—starting with official College Board tests.

Where to Find Current and Old Official SATs

As I described above, there are a number of types of practice that you should only use official SAT questions for. As such, they're the most valuable type of SAT prep material and you'll want to build up as large of a collection as possible .

I've divided these tests up by which version of the SAT they are:

• Current (2016 and onward)
• Old 2400-scale format (2005-2016)
• Very old format (pre-2005)

You'll want to focus mostly on the current tests, but the other versions can still provide helpful extra practice. For more info on how to get the most out of older SAT practice tests, check out our complete guide to old SATs .

Most of these materials are free, but I've included the best materials for sale as well. After all, spending $10-$20 dollars on great practice tests can be well worth the investment!

Current SAT Practice Tests

Below are all the official practice SATs for the current version of the exam.

10 Official Free Practice Tests

The College Board has released 10 practice SATs for the current version of the test. You can download them below or take them online at Khan Academy (see next section for more details):

• Practice Test 1: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay
• Practice Test 2: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay
• Practice Test 3: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay
• Practice Test 4: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay
• Practice Test 5: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay
• Practice Test 6: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay
• Practice Test 7: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay
• Practice Test 8: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay
• Practice Test 9: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay
• Practice Test 10: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay

Unfortunately, the practice tests in The Official SAT Study Guide, 2020 Edition are the same as those above (except that the book doesn't include practice tests 2 and 4), so these are really all you have in the way of full official new SATs. Plan accordingly!

Official SAT Prep at Khan Academy

There are a bunch of official SAT practice questions available as part of Khan Academy's free SAT prep . You'll need to sign up for an account to access these resources, but it's completely free and tracks your progress over time.

The lessons and practice questions are all divided by type, so they're very helpful for more targeted studying. While the strategies and suggestions aren't super useful for the Reading and Writing sections, there's a lot of Math content if you want to brush up on any concepts you might have missed or forgotten. You can see a sample question below:

Practice Questions on the SAT Website

Finally, there are some extra practice questions available on the College Board website:

• 24 Reading questions with two passages
• 22 Writing and Language questions with two passages
• 30 Math Calculator questions
• 18 Math No Calculator questions

Keep in mind that some of these questions also appear in The Official SAT Study Guide .

Although the 2016 overhaul involved big changes to the format of the test , previous versions of the SAT can still provide you with helpful study material.

Free Full Practice Tests

There are four older practice tests you can download for free:

• SAT Practice Test (2013-2014) Questions | Answers
• SAT Practice Test (2012-2013) Questions | Answers
• SAT Practice Test (2007-2008) Questions | Answers
• SAT Practice Test (2004-2005) Questions | Answers

Unfortunately, these tests don't have explanations for the answers, so you'll have to figure out why the correct answer is correct on your own or ask a friend, family member, or tutor for help.

If you really run out of practice materials, you can turn to the pre-2005 SATs:

• SAT Practice Test (2003-2004) Questions | Answers
• SAT Practice Test (2002) Questions + Answers
• SAT Practice Test (2001) Questions + Answers

You'll notice some question types that no longer exist on the SAT, so make sure that you know which questions to use and which to ignore .

The Official SAT Study Guide, 2nd Edition

This official book offers 10 more full official old SATs and can be worth buying if you're studying aggressively and need some extra practice tests. Just remember that they are all in the old format, so there will be some irrelevant content and question formats. You can get this prep book used for just a couple dollars, or new for around $25.

Other Resources for Official SAT Practice Tests

You might also be able to find official SATs through unofficial channels. Try searching for "old SAT practice test" or a similar phrase on Google and clicking through the results. If you're lucky, you might find some PDFs of previously administered SATs (though they'll likely use the old test format). Be aware that there's no guarantee these are real SATs.

One helpful website you can use for this purpose is CrackSAT.net . They offer a huge collection of (what they claim to be) official SATs and practice questions. While the website can be tricky to navigate, it's definitely worth looking at if you want more realistic-looking SAT questions to practice with.

Ready to go beyond just reading about the SAT? Then you'll love the free five-day trial for our SAT Complete Prep program . Designed and written by PrepScholar SAT experts , our SAT program customizes to your skill level in over 40 subskills so that you can focus your studying on what will get you the biggest score gains.

Click on the button below to try it out!

Where to Find (and How to Use) Unofficial SATs

Sadly, there aren't a ton of official SAT practice tests available, so if you're planning 40+ hours of studying, you'll probably need some supplementary materials. Note that practice materials not sanctioned by the College Board can vary wildly in quality: some are very similar to the actual SAT, whereas others don't even share the same basic structure as the test!

I've collected the most helpful resources and provided some suggestions on how to get the most out of them in your SAT prep. This list is extensive but not exhaustive —there are a lot of SAT books and tests out there. Be aware, however, that many of them aren't very high quality, so use your judgment when deciding whether to incorporate something you find into your prep.

Unofficial SAT Prep Books

SAT prep books are a good alternative for extra content review and practice. Their questions aren't always quite right—for example, they might cover material you don't really need to know or are easier or harder than those on the real SAT—but prep books can be a great resource for both reviewing concepts and trying out different strategies.

I've provided some suggestions for general SAT prep books below. These each cost about $30, but you might be able to find them used for much cheaper or free at your local or school library. Just make sure that they aren't written in before you check them out. Also, note that many of the best SAT books cover only one subject, so buying books can get expensive quickly.

Best Book for High Scorers: SAT Premium Study Guide (Barron's)

Barron's SAT book has a lot of in-depth study material that's particularly helpful for high scorers looking to fine-tune their test-taking strategies and ensure that they know every concept that might appear on the test.

That said, the questions (especially those for Reading) tend to be much more difficult than those on the actual SAT, so this prep book isn't a good choice for students who get easily frustrated.

You'll get a total of eight full-length practice tests (five in the book and three online) with this book.

Best Book for Low Scorers: Kaplan's SAT Prep Plus 2023

Kaplan's SAT Prep Plus 2023 , as well as its other SAT prep books, are better for students who need a basic foundation on what to expect on the test and how to approach it. The questions skew easier, so it doesn't provide great preparation for the more challenging aspects of the exam.

This book is a good place to start if you have a low baseline score and want to increase it by a lot, since it will let you save official tests and more challenging practice for later in the process.

This book offers five full-length SAT practice tests (two in the book and three online).

Free Online Practice SATs from Test-Prep Companies

Since these tests are free, they're often (though not always) of a lower quality than the tests in books. If you really need more free practice materials, stick to using these for untimed content review and don't worry if something seems weird or unusual.

If you're a high SAT scorer, trying to figure out how the test is different from an official SAT can be a good exercise and will help you understand exactly what makes the real thing tick.

Ivy Global offers two free SAT practice tests, which are pretty decent in terms of quality. As you can see in the example below, both tests mimic the style of the official test very closely. Given the scarcity of materials for the current version of the SAT, these practice test PDFs could be a helpful addition to your prep—as long as you keep in mind that neither are official resources.

MajorTests.com

This website has a large selection of SAT practice questions divided by type. They're in the same basic styles as old SAT questions, though the online format is less streamlined than that of the College Board or Khan Academy websites. You can see an example below:

These SAT questions are best used sparingly —to test knowledge of math and grammar content and to practice general strategies (such as plugging in answers or numbers ). Keep in mind that they might contain some errors.

Varsity Tutors

The format on these SAT practice questions isn't especially accurate, and they sometimes ask about concepts that aren't tested on the SAT. I generally wouldn't recommend using them, but you can if you really want more questions to help test your general SAT knowledge. Here's an example of a question:

Other Free Unofficial SAT Practice Tests

Big test-prep companies, such as The Princeton Review and Kaplan, often offer a free practice test if you register for an account on their website. Sometimes you can even sign up to take the practice SAT at one of their test centers.

As always, keep in mind that the quality of the practice SAT will vary wildly, and the company might aggressively pitch you their services.

Making an SAT Study Plan: 3 Essential Tips

Now that you know where to start compiling the materials you'll need to prepare for the SAT, let's discuss how best to use these resources in a study plan . For more details on how to plan your SAT prep, check out our guide on how to build a prep plan that fits your schedule .

#1: Find Your SAT Baseline Score

Make sure to take a real SAT to determine your baseline score —unofficial diagnostic tests won't give you a realistic sense of what the SAT is like or what your actual strengths and weaknesses are. Take the test in a quiet room without any distractions, and be sure to follow the official time limits .

#2: Practice Skills and Review Content With Supplementary Materials

Because there's a limited number of official SATs available, you should supplement these tests with practice materials focused on specific subjects or question styles, including the official questions on Khan Academy and the SAT website, as well as those from unofficial sources.

Making strategic use of these materials will allow you to try out new strategies and drill specific skills without having to worry about how many full official tests you have left.

#3: Focus On Using Official SATs as Full-Length Practice Tests

Again, because your supply of official SATs is limited, you want to use them judiciously. Don't waste these tests by taking them in bits and pieces or while you're distracted or stressed out.

Instead, use most of the official SAT practice tests as full-length practice tests under real testing conditions: timed, all in one sitting, in a quiet room, etc. Once you've taken a test, take time to carefully go over the questions you missed and the ones you guessed on, analyzing why you got each one wrong and how the question is actually solved.

Remember to also save one or two official SATs for the end of your prep schedule!

What's Next?

Taking an SAT practice test is only the first step— you also need to go over your answers. Make sure that you know the best way to review your mistakes .

If you want to focus on a specific SAT section, check out our guides to the best practice materials for Reading , Math , and Writing .

Want to improve your SAT score quickly? Try our 20-hour SAT prep plan or our one-month SAT study plan , depending on how much time you have left before test day.

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points?

Check out our best-in-class online SAT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your SAT score by 160 points or more.

Our program is entirely online, and it customizes your prep program to your strengths and weaknesses. We also feature thousands of practice questions, official SAT practice tests, and personal feedback on your essays from an expert instructor.

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These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

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