SAT is going digital and shorter!

The SAT test taken by prospective college students across United States will go all-digital starting in 2024

The transition comes months after the College Board pilot-tested a digital SAT in November 2021 in the US and internationally. 80% of students said they found it less stressful, and 100% of educators reported a positive experience, according to the College Board.

The move to a digital test will apply to all the SAT Suite. 

Timeline: 

Most students take the SAT for the first time in spring of their junior year of high school.

• So, students testing internationally in the class of 2024 will be the first to take the digital SAT.
• In the U.S., students in the high school class of 2025 will be the first class to take the digital test.

All students will take the digital PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and PSAT/NMSQT starting in fall 2023.

Devices: 

Test-takers will be able to use their own laptops. They will use a custom-built digital exam application that they’ll download in advance of test day. They will still have to take the test at a monitored site or in school. 

SAT Format:  

The digital SAT will be shorter than the current paper and pencil test—around two hours instead of three. It will include two sections (Reading and Writing, Math) with a break in between. Further, the overall test day experience will be shorter since most pre-administration activities, such as downloading the exam application and completing the student questionnaire, will happen in advance of test day.

Additionally, College Board announced more changes to the test including allowing students to use calculators throughout the math section, as calculators were previously prohibited for some questions, and reading passages will be shortened and increased in variety. Scores will also be available quicker, coming within days as opposed to the current wait time of multiple weeks.

SAT Practice: 

Students can practice for the digital SAT using Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy. Students can receive free practice—anytime, anywhere. Digital SAT practice material will be added to Official SAT Practice in fall 2022

About 1.5 million students in the high school class of 2021 took the SAT and about 1.3 million took the ACT, totals that are down from previous years, likely due to effects of the pandemic. College Board said in a press release, when surveyed, 83% of students said they want the option to submit test scores to colleges. This finding remains consistent whether or not students have taken the SAT and across race/ethnicity and parents’ level of education.

Written by PathIvy Content Team