November SAT Analysis: Key Takeaways and Smart Strategies
- Laura (Heslin) Whitmore
- 10 hours ago
- 4 min read
By Laura Whitmore
Hey everyone! I’m Laura Whitmore, founder of Strategic Test Prep, and I just took the November 2025 SAT myself. This post breaks down everything you need to know — how this test compared to past exams, what sections were hardest, and what trends I’m seeing from College Board moving into 2026. I also invited two of my students who took the November SAT to share their experiences in some really insightful conversations!
Want a break from reading? Head over to my YouTube video instead!
🍵 Overall First Impressions
Let’s start with the headline: math was significantly harder than usual. I normally finish with time to spare — but this time, I actually ran out of time on Math Module 2 with one question left. 😭 Even Math Module 1, which typically starts light, felt denser and trickier than past exams.
The English section, meanwhile, felt fair overall, but the vocabulary was noticeably tougher. I came across at least one question with two or three unfamiliar words. Thankfully, I used my tried-and-true method of breaking down prefixes and roots to make an educated guess — and it worked! Still, that kind of question could easily throw students off if they aren’t practicing word analysis regularly. (Note: I wish I could tell you what words I saw specifically, but that would be in violation of College Board's policies).
🍵 A Surprising Throwback: Recycled Reading Passages
One of the biggest surprises was seeing a passage I recognized from the November 2024 SAT — word for word. This confirmed something I’ve suspected: the College Board isn’t retiring its older material. Instead, it’s expanding the question bank while still mixing in previous passages.
So if you think memorizing old answer keys will help, think again. The passages might repeat, but the question stems and answer choices always change, keeping things unpredictable.
🍵 Geometry Returns to the Spotlight
My toughest question — the one I ran out of time on — was geometry. And that’s a common pain point for students. Geometry shows up less frequently than algebra or advanced math, making it harder to master through repetition. You might see a geometry topic once a year, which means many students (and tutors!) don’t get as much exposure to those rare question types.
Funny enough, I’d seen this exact problem type only once before — a long time ago. Back then, I told my students not to stress over it since it was too niche and time-consuming for their goals. I literally said, “Don’t worry about this one — not your problem.” Well, turns out skipping it back then left me unprepared to solve it efficiently this time!
🍵 Grammar Shifts and Evolving Patterns
Another subtle change: no subject-verb agreement questions on my test. None. Instead, the focus was on nonessential clauses, gerunds, and nuanced phrasing choices. It’s clear that grammar is evolving away from simple “rule-based” questions toward ones that test deeper comprehension and context.
🍵 Student Reactions: Ava & Ryder Weigh In
To get more perspective, I invited two of my students — Ava (Pittsburgh, PA) and Ryder (Atlanta, GA) — to share their experiences. Both are seniors who took this November SAT.
Ava felt the English section was fair, though the second math module was much tougher and more time-consuming. Ryder agreed, noting that the math section felt harder than the Bluebook practice tests, while English felt about the same. Interestingly, both said the vocab was gettable thanks to root-based strategies.
🍵 Handling Test Anxiety and Staying Focused
Both Ava and Ryder admitted to feeling nervous before the test — which is totally normal. Ava said she “locks in” by reminding herself of the work she’s put in: hundreds of practice problems and hours of prep. Ryder mentioned using my SAT Warm-Up Guide before the test to focus his mind and shake off the nerves — something I highly recommend.
Personally, even after taking dozens of official tests, I still get test-day jitters. What matters most is having a clear strategy for staying calm, confident, and consistent when the timer starts ticking.
Their advice for future test-takers? Ryder said, “Do the questions.” Watching videos and attending sessions helps, but real improvement comes from consistent, timed practice. Ava added that mental endurance matters just as much as content knowledge — and that working with the right tutor makes a world of difference.
🍵 My Takeaway
Overall, this November 2025 SAT leaned harder in math, more nuanced in grammar, and slightly trickier in vocabulary — but it was still a fair test for students who’ve trained well. My personal prediction? I’m guessing around a 1560, down slightly from last November’s 1590, thanks to that last geometry question. But don’t worry — I might be back for December’s SAT to chase that perfect score again!
Ready to Start Your SAT Journey?
If you’re aiming for a top score on the March or May 2026 SAT, now’s the perfect time to start. Strategic Test Prep is currently accepting new students — but spots are limited and fill up quickly!
Visit strategictestprep.com to request a free consultation and get matched with one of our expert tutors. Together, we’ll build your personalized plan to hit your dream score.
Happy prepping!
