What Students Drink During SAT Breaks in 2011

On December 10, 2011, over 30 students from Harbin No. 3 High School’s International Exchange Center sat for the SAT alongside tens of thousands worldwide. For many, it was their first encounter with the U.S. college admissions test — and with its unique exam-day routines.

During the 15-minute break, most students drank coffee or Red Bull and snacked lightly — a small but telling ritual that helped them reset for the remaining sections.

How the SAT Worked in 2011: A Quick Run-Through

The SAT on December 10, 2011 started promptly at 8:30 AM. Unlike China’s gaokao, the SAT required a passport — not just an ID — and allowed calculators throughout. The first section, Critical Reading (labeled as “English” in the report), was 45 minutes long with 75 multiple-choice questions. Math followed at 9:17 AM, lasting 60 minutes with 60 questions.

What Happened During the 15-Minute Break

After Math, students were led to a designated break room. Here, they could leave the testing area, chat quietly, or — as most did — drink coffee or Red Bull and eat light snacks. This 15-minute pause was mandated by the College Board and gave students time to eat, move around, and decompress before the next sections.

The Four Sections: Delivered All at Once

A little-known fact: all four SAT sections were handed out before the test began. Students opened them in sequence under supervision. After the first section, even though they held the other three, they couldn’t look at them. This rule remained strictly enforced. The third section was Reading (heavy on U.S. and world history), followed by Science (similar to China’s science combo but reportedly a bit easier), and finally, the Essay.

The entire test wrapped up at 12:25 PM. Students remained highly focused after breaks, especially for the dense Reading section. By the time they reached the Essay around midday, some were more visibly relaxed — especially compared to the high-stakes earlier parts.

Student and Teacher Takeaways

One repeat test-taker, Sun Lingqi, said math was straightforward — all multiple choice — but Reading was tough due to historical references, and the Essay demanded strong writing skills. Wang, the head of the international center, noted that prior graduates had all gained admission to U.S. universities ranked within the top 100, suggesting solid overall performance despite the challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did SAT takers in 2011 really drink coffee during breaks?

Yes. According to the report, most students drank coffee or Red Bull and ate light snacks during the mandatory 15-minute break after the Math section. This was a common and allowed way to recharge before continuing.

What items were required for the 2011 SAT?

Students needed a passport — not just an ID — and were allowed to use calculators for the entire Math section. These were stricter or more permissive rules than in China’s gaokao system.

How was the SAT structured on December 10, 2011?

The test had four sections: Critical Reading (45 mins, 75 questions), Math (60 mins, 60 questions), Reading (focused on history), Science (akin to a simplified science combo), and an Essay. All were given at once but opened in order under supervision.

What did students do during the 15-minute break?

They could leave the testing room, talk quietly, and most opted to drink coffee or Red Bull while having a snack. The break was designed for mental reset before the second half of testing.

Was the SAT in 2011 considered difficult by students?

Yes. A repeat test-taker noted Math was easy (all multiple choice), but Reading was hard due to historical content, and the Essay had high writing expectations. Still, past graduates performed well enough to enter top 100 U.S. schools.

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