THE SAT WORLD HISTORY TEST
All About the SAT World History Test
What Is the Format of the SAT World History Test?
The SAT World History test is a 1-hour exam consisting of 95 multiple-choice questions. It covers the whole history of the world, spanning events and historical developments in every geographical area except the United States. The questions refer not just to political events such as wars and revolutions, but also to the major intellectual, cultural, social, and economic trends that have shaped our world.
According to the College Board, the questions are distributed by geographical area in approximately the following percentages:
SAT World History Questions by Geographical Area
| Area | Approximate Percentage of Test |
|---|---|
| Europe | 25% |
| Africa | 10% |
| Middle East(Soutwest Asia) | 10% |
| South and Southeast Asia | 10% |
| East Asia | 10% |
| The Americas (excluding the United States) | 10% |
| World (comparative) | 25% |
The questions are also distributed by historical time period in approximately the following percentages:
SAT World History Questions by Time Period
| Time Period | Approximate Percentage of Test |
|---|---|
| Pre-History up to the year 500 C.E. (Common Era) | 25% |
| 500 to 1500 C.E. | 20% |
| 1500-1900 C.E. | 25% |
| 1900 C.E. - Present | 20% |
| Cross-chronological | 10% |
The test questions measure not only how well you understand important events and developments in global history, but also how well you are able to interpret and analyze materials from history such as quotations, maps, charts and graphs, political cartoons, works of art, and the like. You will need to know terms such as the names of historical periods, and you will also need to be familiar with basic world geography. Finally, you will need to be aware of the important cause-and-effect relationships that have determined major historical trends.
What School Background Do I Need for the SAT World History Test?
For the SAT World History test, the College Board simply recommends that you take world history courses that focus on cultural or area studies. You are also advised simply to do as much reading as possible on world history, including works of cultural, social, and economic history.
How Is the SAT World History Test Scored?
On the SAT World History test, your "raw score" is calculated as follows. You receive one point for each question you answer correctly, but you lose onequarter of a point for each question you answer incorrectly. You do not gain or lose any points for questions that you do not answer at all. Your raw score is then converted into a scaled score by a statistical method that takes into account how well you did compared to others who took the same test. Scaled scores range from 200 to 800 points. Your scaled score will be reported to you, your high school, and to the colleges and universities you designate to receive it.
Scoring scales differ slightly from one version of the test to the next. The scoring scale provided after the World History test in this book is only a sample that will show you your approximate scaled score.
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