剛考完的你，覺得這次考試有變化嗎？

2026 年第一場 SAT 已經結束。對許多學生來說，考試結束後最常問的問題往往是：「這次到底難不難？」、「和之前的考試相比有沒有新的變化？」

從整體結構來看，這次考試呈現出一個相當有意思的分布：英文與數學的 Module 1 整體偏簡單，而真正的挑戰則集中在英文 Module 2。換句話說，大多數學生在考試前半段可能會感覺進行得非常順利，但到了後半段，尤其是閱讀與語言部分，題目的難度與資訊密度明顯提高，稍微不注意就可能失分。

如果用整體難度來評估，本次考試其實並沒有比過去幾次 SAT 明顯更難，但 College Board 在題型設計與題目呈現上確實出現了一些細微但重要的變化。這些變化不一定會讓題目看起來更難，但會更強調學生是否具備閱讀理解、邏輯推理以及處理陌生資訊的能力。

 

從整體來看，本次考試呈現出一個很有意思的分布：

• 英文 Module 1：偏簡單⭐⭐
• 英文 Module 2：明顯變難⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• 數學 Module 1：非常簡單⭐
• 數學 Module 2：中等難度⭐⭐⭐

英文 Module 1 的整體難度屬於中等偏簡單，題型分布也非常典型。對於平時有規律練習 SAT 題目的學生來說，這一部分應該能夠相對穩定地拿分。也就是說，大部分學生在前半段考試可能會覺得相當順利，但英文 Module 2 其實埋了不少陷阱，稍不注意就可能失分。接下來我們就來看看這次考試有哪些值得注意的變化。

 

 

英文 Module 1

難度：⭐⭐

這次英文 Module 1 的題型結構非常標準，整體難度適中，大多數學生應該都能順利應對。

題型分布大致如下：

• Words in Context：4 題
• Structure & Purpose：4 題
• Claims：1 題（Peter Pan）
• Support Questions：2 題
• Logical Completions：3 題
• Style Question：1 題
• Verb Questions：3 題
• Boundaries：1 題
• Transitions：4 題
• Rhetorical Synthesis：2 題

 

其中有一題 Claims 題目來自《Peter Pan》。題目提到 Nana 這隻狗在照顧孩子的過程中扮演類似保母的角色，題目要求學生找出一個句子，能夠最有效地支持 Nana 有計畫地安排孩子活動的觀點。這題相對容易，原因在於答案選項中的 claims 都是單一句子，沒有過多複雜推論，因此只要理解文章內容，就能很快辨識正確答案。

另外，Support 題型在這次考試中也顯得比較友善。題目直接將 thesis 用底線標示出來，學生只需要在文章中找到能支持或反駁該論點的證據即可。這樣的設計讓學生在閱讀時能更快速抓到題目核心。

 

文法題型的小變化

不過，在文法部分，我們觀察到一個值得注意的小變化。過去 SAT 的動詞題型往往會出現一個非常明顯的「不同類型」答案，例如 are、is、were、have been 等，使得學生可以透過排除法快速找到答案。但在這次考試中，答案選項開始出現像 Are、Is、Were、Being 這樣的設計。這種題型不只是考動詞形式，而是要求學生辨識空格處需要的是真正的動詞還是動名詞 / 分詞（verbal）。如果學生沒有仔細分析句子結構，很容易誤判。

如果你還不清楚，請你一定要把這些概念弄懂，才能快速拆解複雜的句子
Subject, direct object, indirect object
Things that can act as nouns: gerunds, infinitives, participles, noun clauses
Properties and function of prepositional phrases

如果還沒有辦法完全掌握動詞跟動名詞差別，就需要先將 Common Core | PSAT Series的文法概念梳理清楚，才有辦法拆解複雜的句子

整體而言，Module 1 難度不高，是應該要穩定拿分的部分。

 

 

英文 Module 2

難度：⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

如果說 Module 1 是暖身，那麼 Module 2 就是真正開始拉開差距的部分。這一模組的難度明顯提升，不論是在字彙、資訊密度還是題目邏輯上，都比 Module 1 更具挑戰性。

值得注意的是，這次 Module 2 並沒有出現傳統上較難的閱讀文本，例如莎士比亞或古英文，也沒有詩歌類型的題目。因此，困難並不在於閱讀風格，而是在於詞彙與概念的複雜度。

題型分布大致如下：

• Vocabulary：5 題
• Main Idea：2 題
• Detail：1 題
• Chart：3 題
• Logical Completion：3 題
• Transitions：4 題
• Rhetorical Synthesis：2 題

例如，本次考試中出現了一些對學生而言可能較陌生的單字，包括 derivative、untenable、unequivocally、inconsolable 等。這些字詞本身並不一定是 SAT 傳統高頻單字，但在理解文章時卻扮演關鍵角色。

以下為這次精選單字:

以下幾個單字是這次考試中較具挑戰性的：

• Derivative：模仿的、缺乏原創性的
• Untenable：無法辯護或維持的
• Unequivocally：毫無疑問地
• Inconsolable：無法被安慰的
• Abut：鄰接、緊靠
• Salient：最顯著、最重要的

 

有趣的是，我們發現一個現象：文章中的字彙難度往往比 Words in Context 題目本身更高。換句話說，真正影響理解的不是單字題，而是閱讀文本中的語言。這也再次印證 SAT 的一個核心特性：SAT 並不是單純考單字量，而是考學生是否能理解詞語之間的語意關係and上下文邏輯。

 

Boundaries 題型

從去年開始，在文法題型方面，Boundaries 題目開始出現更複雜的句型。例如，句子的主詞與動詞之間可能被多個介系詞片語或插入語隔開，學生必須能辨識真正的主詞與動詞關係。此外，本次考試也出現列表中插入子句的情況，這時候即使句子結構變得複雜，列表仍然需要使用逗號分隔。這類題型考驗的是學生對句子結構的整體掌握，而不只是單純記憶標點規則。

學生必須能辨識句子的真正主詞。

此外，本次也出現： 列表中插入子句的情況

這時候列表仍然需要使用 分號分隔。這個是考試重點，學生要加強練習!

 

其他精選重點

Dual Texts 題型也出現了一點變化。過去 SAT 常見的問法是「作者一會如何回應作者二」，但這次題目更聚焦於兩位作者如何看待某項研究本身。例如，一位作者描述研究結果，而另一位作者則指出研究的限制。學生需要理解兩段文本的觀點差異，而不是只比較兩位作者之間的立場。

在所有題型中，Chart 題仍然是許多學生認為最困難的部分。這類題目的特點是資訊量大、術語多，而且同一個概念可能會用不同方式表達。相信這次的圖表題有一定數量的同學心裡的感覺是:

例如本次考試中就出現了與 稅務申報表（Taxpayer filing forms 4270 和 990） 相關的題目，以及 利用放射性衰變測定化石年代 的科學題材。雖然這些題目在沒有相關背景知識下都可以回答，但學生不僅要理解圖表中的數據，還需要能辨識題目與選項中對同一概念的不同表述，會有一定的挑戰性。這種題目一定要多練習，在Collegeboard SAT Question Suite中即可在 “Command of Evidence”下找到練習題。

此外，在 Transition 題型中，我們也看到一個新的趨勢。除了常見的轉折詞之外，題目開始出現完整的 transition phrases，例如 “Besides setting an example” 或 “In addition to the previous study”。這顯示 College Board 不再只是測試學生是否知道轉折詞，而是更重視句子之間的邏輯銜接與語意流動。

 

數學 Module 1

難度：⭐

與英文相比，這次數學 Module 1 可以說是相當友善。題目大多落在基本概念範圍內，只要學生熟悉 SAT 常見題型，通常都能順利作答。整體而言，這一部分對大多數學生來說應該不會造成太大困難。

 

數學 Module 2

難度：⭐⭐⭐

數學 Module 2 的難度屬於中等，但整體仍然偏向可掌握的範圍。也正因為題目並沒有特別困難，真正拉開分數差距反而變得更難，因為大部分學生都能完成大多數題目。

在題型方面，我們觀察到幾個有趣的趨勢。例如，

1) 有一題與過去 SAT 出現過的題型非常相似：一位工匠製造 A 與 B 兩種產品，A 的revenue是成本的兩倍，而 B 的revenue是成本的 2.5 倍，在某一段時間內，該工匠的 總 revenue 為 500 元，而總成本為 200 元，則 產品 B 的 revenue 比產品 A 多多少元？

 

2) 另外，Interpretation 題型也出現了一些變化。過去 SAT 常常問某個「數字」代表什麼，但這次考試出現了某個「變數」代表的意義。如:

某城市的人口在 2010 年為 500（千人），在 2020 年為 800（千人）。

一位研究者使用下列方程式來表示人口變化：

10x+500=800

在此方程式中，x 最合理代表什麼？

 

3) 利率題型也不再只是單純的 simple interest 或 exponential growth。例如，有一題描述銀行利率在不同月份採用不同百分比，學生需要建立能夠描述整個情境的方程式。這類題目強調的是數學建模能力。

 

4) 在圖表題方面，有一題 scatterplot 的座標軸刻度被壓縮，小的數值被省略，只顯示百位數。如果學生沒有仔細觀察，很可能會誤判 line of best fit 的 y-intercept。這類題目提醒學生在解題時必須仔細閱讀圖表資訊，而不能只依賴直覺。

 

5) 另一個值得注意的變化，是一題屬於 SAT 常見題型的「變形版本」。
過去 College Board 很喜歡利用 exponential function 來問哪一個選項的係數或底數顯示了原函數之y-intercept，但在這次考試中，類似的概念被放進 quadratic function 的情境，題目要求學生找出函數的最小值並選擇在方程式中直接顯示該最小值之選項。換句話說，學生必須理解函數結構本身，而不是只依靠熟悉的題型套路。這種設計其實很符合 SAT 的出題哲學： 測試學生是否真正理解數學概念，而不是只記住某一種題型。

 

6) 此外，本次考試也出現了一種新的題型。例如： ⅙(x+5) = ¼ (x+5)

題目並不是問 x，而是問 x + 5 的值。粗心的學生可能會直接算出 x。更特別的是，答案選項並不是單一數字，而是區間範圍，例如「-10 到 -5」、「-4 到 1」、「2 到 5」等。這種設計增加了題目的判斷難度。

 

Summarize

那麼，2026 年 3 月的 SAT 真的比較難嗎？

從整體來看，我們認為難度並沒有明顯提高。如果英文模組一表現得宜，且數學穩定發揮，學生有可能拿下不錯的分數。但可以確定的是，College Board 在題型設計上持續做出一些細微調整。

SAT 的核心理念始終沒有改變：

SAT 是一個 problem-solving test。

它測試的不是學生背了多少公式，而是當面對陌生資訊與新情境時，是否能快速理解問題、整理資訊並做出合理判斷。

對於準備 SAT 的學生來說，最重要的不是只做熟題，而是培養靈活思考與理解新題型的能力。只要能掌握這一點，即使題型出現變化，也能在考場上保持穩定表現。

 

March 2026 SAT Analysis: Is the test evolving?

If you just took the March 2026 SAT, how did it feel? Did you notice any changes?

With the first SAT administration of 2026 now behind us, many students are asking the same questions: Was the test harder than usual? Did anything feel different compared with previous exams?

Looking at the overall structure of the test, one pattern stood out quite clearly. Module 1 in both English and Math was relatively straightforward, while the real difficulty appeared in English Module 2. In other words, many students likely felt confident during the first half of the exam, only to encounter more complex reading passages and denser information later on.

That said, the March test was not dramatically harder than previous SAT administrations. Instead, what we observed were subtle but meaningful changes in question design. These changes don’t necessarily increase difficulty outright, but they do place greater emphasis on reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and the ability to process unfamiliar information quickly.

Overall, the difficulty distribution looked something like this:

English Module 1: relatively easy
English Module 2: noticeably more difficult
Math Module 1: very easy
Math Module 2: moderate difficulty

For students who practice regularly with official SAT material, the first half of the test likely felt comfortable. However, English Module 2 contained several traps that could catch students off guard.

Let’s take a closer look at what stood out in each section.

 

English Module 1

Difficulty: ⭐⭐

English Module 1 followed a very standard structure, and the overall difficulty was moderate to easy. Students who have practiced with typical SAT question types should have been able to move through this section fairly smoothly.

The question distribution looked roughly like this:

Words in Context – 4 questions
Structure and Purpose – 4 questions
Claims – 1 question (from Peter Pan)
Support Questions – 2 questions
Logical Completions – 3 questions
Style Question – 1 question
Verb Questions – 3 questions
Boundaries – 1 question
Transitions – 4 questions
Rhetorical Synthesis – 2 questions

One interesting question used a passage from Peter Pan. The prompt described Nana, the dog who cares for the children, and asked students to identify the sentence that best supports the claim that Nana carefully plans the children’s activities. This question was relatively straightforward because the answer choices presented clear, single-sentence claims rather than complex arguments. Students simply needed to identify the sentence that best demonstrated Nana’s planning.

The Support questions were also more approachable than usual. The thesis statement was underlined directly in the prompt, making it easier for students to focus on finding the supporting evidence.

 

A Subtle Change in Grammar Questions

One notable change appeared in the verb questions. In previous SAT tests, the answer choices often included an obvious outlier such as:

are
is
were
have been

This allowed students to quickly eliminate options.

However, in this exam we saw answer choices such as:

Are
Is
Were
Being

This type of question tests something more subtle: whether the blank requires a true verb or a verbal form (such as a participle). Students who did not carefully analyze the sentence structure could easily select the wrong form.

To handle these questions effectively, students need a solid understanding of grammatical structure, including:

• subjects, direct objects, and indirect objects
• noun forms such as gerunds, infinitives, participles, and noun clauses
• the function of prepositional phrases in sentences

If students have not yet fully mastered the difference between verbs and gerunds, it is important to first clarify the core grammar concepts covered in the Common Core | PSAT Series. Building this foundation will enable them to analyze and break down more complex sentence structures effectively. 

Overall, Module 1 was not particularly difficult and should have been a strong scoring opportunity for well-prepared students.

 

English Module 2

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If Module 1 felt like a warm-up, Module 2 is where the test truly began to separate students. This section was noticeably more challenging in terms of vocabulary, information density, and logical reasoning.

 

Interestingly, the difficulty did not come from the reading style. There were no Shakespeare passages or archaic language, and there was no poetry this time. Instead, the challenge came from complex vocabulary and more demanding conceptual reading.

The approximate question breakdown was:

Vocabulary – 5 questions
Main Idea – 2 questions
Detail – 1 question
Charts – 3 questions
Logical Completion – 3 questions
Transitions – 4 questions
Rhetorical Synthesis – 2 questions

Some vocabulary words that appeared in the test included:

Derivative – imitative; lacking originality
Untenable – impossible to defend
Unequivocally – leaving no doubt
Inconsolable – unable to be comforted
Abut – to be next to
Salient – most noticeable or important

One interesting observation is that the vocabulary inside the passages was often harder than the words tested in the actual vocabulary questions. This highlights an important feature of the SAT: the test is less about memorizing definitions and more about understanding relationships between ideas and words in context.

 

Boundaries Questions

Grammar questions involving sentence boundaries have also been evolving. In some cases, the subject and verb were separated by long prepositional phrases or inserted clauses, forcing students to identify the true grammatical structure of the sentence.

In other questions, lists included inserted clauses, requiring careful punctuation. Students needed to recognize that even with interruptions, the list structure still required correct separation with commas or semicolons.

 

Dual Text Questions

We also noticed a small variation in the dual-text questions. Traditionally, these questions ask how the author of Text 1 would respond to Text 2. In this exam, the focus shifted slightly: both authors were discussing a research study, but one described the findings while the other emphasized the study’s limitations.

Students therefore had to understand the authors’ perspectives toward the research itself, rather than simply comparing the authors.

 

Chart Questions

As usual, the chart questions were among the most difficult. These questions often include dense terminology and large amounts of information. In this exam, topics included tax filing forms (Form 4270 and 990) and using radioactive decay to date fossils.

 

Although background knowledge is not required, students must carefully interpret the chart and recognize when the same concept is expressed using different wording.

Practicing these questions in the College Board SAT Question Suite, particularly under Command of Evidence, can be extremely helpful.

 

Transition Questions

Another interesting shift appeared in transition questions. Instead of only single transition words like however or therefore, some questions used full transition phrases such as:

“Besides setting an example”
“In addition to the previous study”

This indicates that the SAT is increasingly testing logical flow between sentences, not just memorization of transition words.

 

Math Module 1

Difficulty: ⭐

Compared with the English section, Math Module 1 was very approachable. Most questions fell squarely within standard SAT math topics, and students who were comfortable with common question types likely had little trouble.

 

Math Module 2

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐

Math Module 2 was moderate in difficulty. Because the questions themselves were not extremely challenging, it may actually have been harder to separate high-scoring students, since many students could solve most of the problems.

However, several interesting question trends appeared.

One question resembled a repeated concept from previous SAT exams. A craftsman produces two products, A and B. Product A generates revenue equal to twice its cost, while product B generates revenue equal to 2.5 times its cost. Given total revenue and total cost, students had to determine how much more revenue came from product B than from product A.

Another change appeared in interpretation questions. In the past, the SAT often asked what a particular number represented in a model. In this exam, students instead had to interpret the meaning of a variable.

For example, a population model might be written as:

10x + 500 = 800

Students needed to determine what x represented in the context of population growth.

Interest questions also became slightly more complex. Instead of simple or exponential growth, one question described a bank account where the interest rate changed over time, requiring students to build a model that represented the situation.

In a scatterplot question, the axes were compressed so that smaller values were omitted. Students who did not read the graph carefully might misidentify the y-intercept of the line of best fit. This emphasizes the importance of carefully examining graphical information rather than relying on intuition.

Another notable variation involved a familiar SAT concept presented in a different way. In past exams, exponential functions were often used to test whether students understood how the y-intercept appears as a coefficient or base. In this exam, a similar concept appeared in a quadratic context, where students needed to identify the function whose equation directly revealed the minimum value of the quadratic.

Finally, we saw an unusual question format such as:

⅙(x + 5) = ¼(x + 5)

Instead of asking for x, the question asked for the value of x + 5. Students who rushed might incorrectly solve for x. Even more interesting, the answer choices were ranges, such as:

between −10 and −5
between −4 and 1
between 2 and 5

This format adds another layer of interpretation to what would otherwise be a straightforward algebra problem.

 

Final Thoughts

So, was the March 2026 SAT actually harder?

Overall, not significantly. The difficulty level was comparable to recent SAT administrations.

What we did see, however, were small but deliberate changes in question design. The SAT continues to move toward testing students’ ability to solve problems, interpret unfamiliar scenarios, and think flexibly, rather than simply recognizing familiar question patterns.

Ultimately, the core philosophy of the SAT remains the same:

The SAT is a problem-solving test.

It does not reward memorization alone. Instead, it evaluates how well students can understand new information, analyze relationships, and reason through unfamiliar problems.

For students preparing for future SAT exams, the key is not simply practicing large numbers of questions, but developing the ability to think critically and adapt when encountering new question formats.

With the right preparation, even a changing test can remain a predictable one.

 

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