SAT Format Change

Taking the SAT is an important part of many high schoolers’ junior year. Since 1926, Collegeboard has offered the SAT in a paper format. Beginning in the spring of 2023, Collegeboard began offering a digital version of the test internationally and in select American high schools. However, the SAT is now only being offered in the digital format. Here's what to know about those changes, as well as some resources to help prepare for the new digital exam.

The digital SAT consists of four modules. Students will receive 64 minutes to complete two reading and grammar modules, and 70 minutes to complete two math modules. They will be able to use their calculator in both modules of math. A ten-minute break will be administered between the second module of the reading section and the first module of the math section. Upcoming test dates include March 9, May 4, and June 1, 2024. 

The digital SAT will be taken on a personal computer or a tablet. Depending on the school at which they choose to take the test at, a student can use their own device or a device given to them by the school. According to Collegeboard, work within the test will be saved even if an internet outage occurs, and technology monitors will be added to test centers to assist with connectivity issues. 

Along with the format change, there are some other very significant differences between the old paper SAT and the new digital SAT. While the paper SAT was three hours long, the digital SAT is only two hours long. The test is also now adaptive, meaning that each student will get a different set of questions depending on their performance in the previous module. Instead of having five multi-paragraph pieces of writing in the reading section, each question will now have its own short, corresponding paragraph. Scores will be delivered much quicker for the digital SAT, arriving in just a few days rather than in two weeks. 

The exam may seem daunting, but there are many resources that students can use to prepare for it. College Board's Bluebook platform has 4 digital practice tests that students can take for free, as long as they have a Collegeboard account. Khan Academy also offers free practice tests and practice problems. 

Although preparing for exams can be stressful, it’s important to keep in mind that test scores do not define you. Remember that you can attempt the exam multiple times and that most colleges in California do not require you to submit SAT scores. Good luck!