While the digital platform is new, the test’s core structure remains largely unchanged. The maximum score, for instance, remains at 1600. As for the test-taking experience:

User-Friendly Interface: The digital SAT has been designed to be intuitive. It’ll come with features like a timer, and you’ll be able to skip, review, and change answers with ease.

The digital SAT is a shorter version of the paper format and adjusts to your skills as you progress through each module. Here’s how it works:

The format of the SAT is organized as follows: Reading and Writing Module 1, Reading and Writing Module 2, Math Module 1, and Math Module 2 (there’s a break between the Reading and Writing section and the Math section). Every student takes the exam in this order.

Reading and Writing Module 1 has easy, medium, and hard prompts. Based on your performance in the first module, the test decides whether to present you with an easier or more challenging version of Reading and Writing Module 2. The same applies to the Math section: Math Module 1 has three levels of difficulty, and the exam selects either an easier or harder version of Math Module 2 based on your performance in the first Math stage.

Students have to answer questions in the first module before moving on to the second. But the questions in the second module will change for each test taker depending on how they performed on the first module. 

Since the SAT only adapts twice (between the two Reading and Writing modules and between the two Math stages), the importance of each individual question is reduced. So, don’t worry too much if you find a particular prompt challenging. The adaptive nature of the digital SAT ensures that your score accurately reflects your skills and knowledge.

The Content and Timing of the Digital SAT:

Now that you understand the main differences between the paper and digital versions of the SAT, let’s explore the content, structure, and timing of the new SAT.

Reading and writing section:

The SAT now includes a 65-minute Reading section with 52 questions and a 35-minute Writing and Language (W&L) section with 44 questions. In the new digital SAT, the combined Reading and Writing (R&W) section consists of two modules, each lasting 32 minutes and containing 27 questions.

The digital SAT will feature shorter reading passages compared to the paper exam. Instead of answering multiple questions for each passage, you will now only answer one question. Keep in mind that these shorter excerpts will be equally if not more challenging to read than those on the current paper test.

On the paper SAT, the Reading and Writing and Language sections are organized based on the topics covered in the passages. The five Reading excerpts cover literature, history, science, and other history and science topics, usually in that order. The four Writing and Language excerpts cover history, career, humanities, and science, but their sequence may vary.

The new SAT will have a wider range of topics and styles compared to the analog test. It will include more questions related to the humanities and a few poetry questions by authors from the early 1900s and before. Instead of grouping passages and questions based on the reading topic, they will be grouped based on the skill set being tested.

On the digital SAT, the Reading and Writing module will assess the following skills:

– Information and Ideas (12–14 questions): Use details from brief texts, tables, and infographics to determine the main idea, find supporting evidence, answer comprehension questions, or complete an excerpt logically.

– Craft and Structure (13–15 questions): Define words and phrases in poetry or prose, evaluate how passages make arguments, or connect ideas between two excerpts.

– Expression of Ideas (8–12 questions): Choose transitional words or phrases to make the author’s meaning clearer, or determine the purpose of provided notes.

– Standard English Conventions (11–15 questions): Choose answers based on knowledge of grammar and mechanics.

The order and number of these question types will vary as each student receives a unique test form, according to the College Board.

The Math Section

In the old version of the SAT, the Math section has a 25-minute No-Calculator part with 20 questions, and a 55-minute Calculator part with 38 questions. However, in the new digital SAT format, the Math section will be 70 minutes long and include 44 questions. The questions will be evenly distributed between two modules, and you will be allowed to use a calculator for the entire section.

The updated SAT no longer tests reading skills in the Math section. Instead of word problems, the online format features concise and straightforward questions focused on mathematical understanding. The Math topics remain the same but with renamed sections:

1. Algebra: Solve linear equations, inequalities, and systems of equations.
2. Advanced Math: Solve quadratic equations, perform polynomial operations, and solve absolute-value equations.
3. Problem Solving and Data Analysis: Answer questions about ratios, rates, percentages, and analyze data.
4. Geometry and Trigonometry: Solve problems involving shapes, angles, and trigonometry. The digital SAT has more geometry and trigonometry questions compared to the paper version.

In addition to multiple-choice questions, there are also grid-in questions where you will have to provide your own answer.

The shift to a digital SAT is a significant milestone in the world of standardized testing. While it promises a more streamlined and efficient testing process, students should ensure they’re adequately prepared for this new format. As the saying goes, the medium may change, but the mission remains the same: showcase your knowledge, skills, and readiness for college.

The SAT’s gone digital, and that’s pretty exciting! It’s the same test, just on a screen now. Remember to practice, stay updated, and you’ll do just fine.