The SAT was once a three-hour, pencil and paper, in-person exam, scored on a 1600-point scale. Now, this exam has been replaced with a new digital version. Post-pandemic, the College Board, who administers the SAT, decided with the rest of the world to shift the exam to digital means. Their pilot version of the digital exam was so successful that the College Board decided to change permanently. Here’s what you need to know about this new format.
Structure of the Digital SATThe new digital structure has two sections: 1. Reading and Writing and 2. Math. Both of these have two more sections with 32 minutes for each 27 question for reading section and 35 minutes for each 22 question math section. The Digital SAT is around two hours long now instead of three, and has less questions. One of the more significant changes to this new digital test is that questions are adaptive, meaning that the difficulty of the second sections for reading and math will be determined by your performance during the first section, so if you do well on the first section you will get more difficult questions, and if you struggle on the first section you will get less difficult questions. With this new adaptive feature, test takers should expect more challenging questions to earn a higher score.
Benefits of the Digital SATAlong with the shortened test time, less questions, and adaptive feature, this new exam also allows for a more optimized test taking experience. Educators who took part of the piloted version of the new exam said it was easier to administer than the paper version, and 83% of Fall 2023 test takers said they preferred the digital version over the paper. This new version offers schools to have more exam dates and times, and allows for more students to take it overall. The College Board also recognized that students are more likely to take the SAT during school hours.
Challenges of the Digital SATSwitching from paper and pencil to digital may be more efficient, but can produce some challenges. For example, highlighting and annotating on a computer is not as easy and those not familiar with Desmos, a computer based calculator, may have some difficulty. However, there is a Digital SAT practice exam you can take at home to allow you to prepare yourself with the new test format so you don’t waste your test taking time trying to figure it out!
How to prepareYou can use your personal laptops and desktops to take this exam, and even your school provided ones if needed. The College Board will also provide devices, if requested 30 days before the test date, if students cannot access one. You will also need to complete the digital testing technical requirements beforehand such as downloading Bluebook, the app in which you will take the exam. Bluebook also provides practice exams you can take before the test to allow you to get used to the format and see what you need to work on for the exam.
What to bring on Test Day- Fully charged laptop- Digital SAT app fully installed and updated on your device- Pen/pencil – Calculator- Photo ID- Water and snacks for the break – Watch (not needed but can be useful for keeping track of time)
Visit the College Board website and check with your school for other tips and tricks. At INTO Prep we are committed to helping you get the best score possible!