Evidence-based Reading and Writing
This section is split into two subsections – evidence based reading & writing and language. The reading section is composed of 52 multiple-choice questions and the time allocated is 65 minutes. You will be required to read five passages, on topics ranging from World Literature to History to Science, and answer questions based on the passages.
Do not be alarmed about the wide genres of passages you will encounter as topic-specific knowledge is never tested. Rather, the purpose of this section is to measure comprehension and reasoning skills.
The writing section is composed of 44 multiple-choice questions and the time allocated is 35 minutes. Similar to the reading section, this is also passage-based and there are four passages in total. You will be required to identify errors in grammar, punctuation and organization and provide suggestions on how to fix them.
The purpose of this section is to assess expression, grammar, usage and punctuation.
This section includes multiple-choice and response questions. The questions are based on the Math college-bound students typically learn during their first three years of high school.
This section is further split into two subsections – a no-calculator section that is composed of 20 questions and is 25 minutes long, and a calculator based section that is composed of 38 questions and is 55 minutes long. The majority of questions on both math sections are Multiple Choice, with a few response questions. You will have access to a list of formulas. The content in both math sections are commonly covered in your high school classes. It includes:
- Heart of Algebra – linear equations, systems of linear equations, and inequalities
- Problem Solving and Data Analysis – the application of ratios, percentages, interpreting graphs, linear and exponential growth, basic statistics and proportional reasoning.
- Passport to Advanced Math – adding, subtracting, and multiplying polynomials, dividing a polynomial by a linear expression, or manipulating expressions involving exponentials, integer and rational powers, radicals, or fractions with a variable in the denominator.
- Additional topics – Volume, area calculations, right triangle geometry, congruence and similarity, angles, arc lengths, and trigonometry functions, circle theorems, and complex numbers
For this section, you’ll be asked to read a passage (650-750 words) to determine how the author builds an argument to persuade an audience through the use of evidence, reasoning, or stylistic and persuasive devices. Although optional, many universities either require or recommend completing the essay section and use the essay scores as part of their evaluation. Hence, it is advisable to complete this section. You will have 50 minutes to complete this section.
