The Reading and Writing (R/W) section of the November 2024 SAT exhibited a slight increase in difficulty compared to earlier exams in 2024.
In this test, R/W Module 1 felt comparable to the previous Module 2 in terms of complexity. The length of questions and passages in Module 1 was notably longer, presenting a new structure. However, the question types remained consistent with those in previous exams.
Students who adequately prepared using past question formats would have likely been able to complete the test with reasonable ease.
In the November R/W Module 1, sentence lengths were generally longer, and there were instances of questions featuring Old English.
Past exams usually contained questions with passages of 3–5 lines. This test, however, included passages spanning 5–9 lines, typically seen in previous Module 2 questions.
This increased passage length required more time for analysis. Additionally, some questions included Old English rather than Contemporary English, making them slightly more challenging to decipher.
This added difficulty made Module 1 resemble Module 2 in previous tests. While quick test-takers were previously able to spare 10 minutes in Module 1, this test may have left them with only 5 minutes if working at a similar speed.
In contrast, R/W Module 2 maintained a level of difficulty consistent with previous tests.
There were no significant changes in question types. As with earlier exams, many questions were based on topics typically studied at the college level, such as biology or philosophy.
While Module 1 included numerous detail-focused questions that allowed answers without reading entire passages, Module 2 featured more questions requiring comprehension of structure and main ideas.
This made it necessary for students to understand the passages in greater detail. Additionally, Module 2 included vocabulary questions that were more challenging than those in Module 1, likely increasing the time required for interpretation.
Some Writing questions in Module 2 also presented confusing answer choices, with two options appearing equally valid. This required students to spend extra time determining the most suitable response.
This test could be characterized as a “more advanced exam.” Unlike previous tests, which showed some variation in question types, the November exam presented fixed question types but with increased difficulty.
Students who prepared using GATE+ mock exams and familiarized themselves with past question types likely performed well.
This test underscored the importance of time management skills. While question types were similar, the increased difficulty required students to quickly complete simpler questions while marking more complex ones for later review.
Standard English and bullet-point questions in the Writing section, as well as vocabulary questions in the Reading section, are generally straightforward and should be addressed first.
Questions on main ideas and cross-text connections can then be revisited for optimal time management.
The difficulty level and question types for the Math section of the November 2024 SAT were similar to previous tests. Students who prepared well would have been able to navigate the section without significant issues.
In Module 1, questions frequently assessed definitions of mathematical concepts commonly featured on the SAT, making it potentially easier for students. Since these questions had answers rooted directly in the definitions, students could easily identify the correct choices. Overall, Module 1’s difficulty level was consistent with prior exams. Students who worked quickly likely had 20 minutes, or at least 10 minutes, remaining to review their answers.
Similar to previous exams, Module 2 contained question types requiring numerous calculations.
Topics like trigonometry, geometry, and linear/exponential relationships remained the primary focus, with no significant changes in question types or difficulty levels.
While Module 1 questions could often be solved mentally if definitions were known, Module 2 required a deeper understanding and calculator use for more complex problems.
Short-answer questions, in particular, involved intricate calculations, likely taking additional time. However, students proficient in math or those who prepared extensively should have been able to finish with about 5 minutes remaining.
The Math section of the November exam was consistent with previous tests. Since the difficulty and question types were unchanged, students who scored around 700 on past exams could expect similar results on this test.
Even if preparation for the November test was insufficient, students were likely to achieve scores in the same range as previous exams.
Preparing with GATE+ mock exams, which feature questions slightly more challenging than the actual test, would benefit those aiming to adapt to potential changes in difficulty.
Some Module 2 questions were solvable through scientific calculators, eliminating the need for manual calculations. Even without a scientific calculator like the TI-Nspire, the Desmos graphing calculator provided by Bluebook would have been sufficient.
For questions where visual solutions were feasible, students are encouraged to input functions directly into the calculator rather than simplifying expressions manually to save time.
