The Digital SAT: A Snapshot
College Board launches the Digital SAT
The College Board launched the digital version of the SAT internationally in 2023 and in the United States in 2024. The newest version of the established exam is intended to be more secure, relevant, and easier to complete than the previous paper and pencil version. The college admissions process is constantly changing, and as the skills required to succeed in college continue to evolve, so do the instruments used to measure and quantify those skills.
The Digital SAT introduces significant changes to the test, including a shorter testing time, computer adaptive testing, shorter reading passages, the usage of calculators on the entire Math section, allowing students to complete the test on laptops, tablets, or school-issued devices, allowing students to borrow a device from College Board to take the exam, and score reports that provide helpful career insights. Since these changes will have an impact on your testing experience, it is important to educate yourself on the details of the Digital SAT.
In this blog, you will learn everything that we know about the new Digital SAT. We explain how it is different from the previous SAT, such as how computer adaptive testing affects test and section length, as well as the types of devices the exam may be taken on and when you can expect to receive your scores.
What is the Digital SAT?
The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice exam used for college admissions administered by the College Board. The exam assesses college readiness by comparing applicants’ abilities in math, reading, and writing and is a required part of most college applications. The SAT evaluates a student’s potential for success in college by measuring how well the student can analyze and solve problems.
The purpose of the Digital SAT remains the same but the way in which skills and college readiness are assessed has changed. Compared to previous versions of the SAT, there is now a heightened focus on efficiency, flexibility, and providing test-takers with greater insights into their performance, allowing them to be as informed as possible about their abilities, educational options, and eventual career choices.
While these changes have been made in response to the need for contemporary standardized exams to provide a more streamlined test experience and faster score reporting, the exam’s fundamental purpose remains the same: the SAT is still a standardized test that colleges and universities use to assess the readiness of aspiring undergraduates. The goal of any standardized test is to accurately evaluate the abilities of the person taking the test, and even with the changes discussed here, the SAT remains a challenging exam that requires careful preparation to truly master. Since the fundamental goal of the SAT remains unchanged, the skills you need to demonstrate on the Digital edition are essentially the same ones you would have sought to display on previous versions of the test.
When was the Digital SAT Rolled Out?
The Digital SAT was first administered internationally beginning March 2023. The digital version of the exam was introduced in the United States on March 9th, 2024. The final paper and pencil version of the exam was administered on December 2nd, 2023, and as of that date, the Digital SAT is the only available version of the exam.
How is the Digital SAT Different from the Previous SAT?
Let's examine the changes in format and content between the Digital SAT and the previous SAT.
Format Changes
The format of the SAT has undergone significant changes in the Digital Edition, specifically in the areas of test time, section length, computer adaptability, question review, score release and content of score reports, and supported test-taking devices.
Test Time
One of the most significant changes to the SAT is the duration of the test. The Digital SAT is just 2 hours and 14 minutes long (excluding one 10-minute break), while the previous SAT lasted 3 hours without the optional essay and 3 hours and 50 minutes with the optional essay (excluding one 10-minute and one 5-minute break).
Therefore, the Digital SAT is approximately 45 minutes shorter than the older version.
This change is due to several factors, including computer adaptability, fewer questions, and shorter reading passages. According to the College Board, the goal of offering a shorter exam is to reduce test-taking fatigue and allow test-takers to perform at their best over the course of the entire exam. The College Board also cited feedback from universities and students as a key reason for the change.
See the table below for a breakdown of the Digital SAT timing by section and question.
Digital SAT Structure
| Reading & Writing | Math | |
| Section Time | 64 minutes | 70 minutes |
| No. of Questions (98 ) | 54 | 44 |
| Question Types | Craft and Structure Information and Ideas Standard English Conventions Expression of Ideas | Algebra Advanced Math Problem-Solving and Geometry and |
| Av. Time Per Question | Just over 1 minute (71 seconds) | Appx. 1 and ½ minutes (95 seconds) |
| Total time | 2 hours 14 minutes |
Section Length
The previous version of the SAT had four sections:
- Reading
- Writing and Language
- Math (no calculator)
- Math (calculator)
The Digital version of the SAT only has two sections:
- Reading and Writing
- Math
The sections are further broken down so that there are two equal-length, separately timed Reading and Writing modules and two equal-length, separately timed Math modules. This breaks down to the following:
Reading and Writing Module 1: 32 minutes for 27 questions
Reading and Writing Module 2: 32 minutes for 27 questions
Math Module 1: 35 minutes for 22 questions
Math Module 2: 35 minutes for 22 questions
The reason there are two modules per section has to do with the computer adaptive nature of the Digital SAT, which we will examine in greater detail below.
Computer Adaptability
One of the most significant changes to the SAT is the computer adaptive nature of the digital test. With computer adaptive testing, the questions you are asked as you proceed through the exam depend on your answers to previous questions. The Digital SAT is adaptive at the section level, which means how you perform on the first module of a section determines the difficulty of the questions you are asked in the second module of a section.
According to the College Board, the first module of the Reading and Writing section, as well as the Math section, contains a broad mix of easy, medium, and difficult questions across a range of topics. If you perform well on your first module, the questions in your second module will be more challenging. If you struggle on your first module, the questions in your second module will be less challenging. It is important to note, however, that you will not be at a disadvantage from a scoring perspective if you receive easier questions in your second module. With computer adaptive testing, you are presented with questions uniquely tailored to your abilities.
Question Review and Edit
One especially welcome feature of the Digital SAT is that you can move back and forth between questions in a module. You can preview upcoming questions or mark earlier questions you would like to return to, provided you have time. You can only move through questions one module at a time; for instance, you cannot be working on your first Math module but preview questions in your second Math module. You also cannot return to review questions you bookmarked if you run out of time for the module you are completing, which is why time management is such an important part of taking the SAT and a necessary skill to develop before test day.
Reporting of Scores
Given that the Digital SAT is taken on a computer, scores are now released much faster than with previous versions of the exam. Students typically receive Digital SAT scores within 13 days (approximately two weeks) after completing the exam, which is much faster than the previous three to six weeks it took to receive scores from the paper and pencil version of the exam.
On the score report, there is also a new section entitled, “Career Insights Snapshot.” This section introduces test-takers to a selection of growing careers in their state they might excel in, based on their test scores. The College Board states that these career options are examples, rather than recommendations, and the purpose of their inclusion is to inspire career exploration while a student is still in high school.
Supported Testing Devices
In order to take the Digital SAT, students must first download the official Bluebook app from the College Board. The Digital SAT can then be taken on the following devices:
- Personal or school-managed Windows laptop or tablet
- Personal or school-managed Mac laptop, or iPad
- School-managed Chromebook
The use of personal Chromebooks is not permitted. If a student does not have their own computer or tablet, it is recommended that they borrow one from family or friends. If a student is unable to gain access to a computer, they may borrow one from the College Board after following a series of steps.
First, you must register for the SAT. Select a test date that is at least 30 days away so that there is enough time for the device to be shipped. When asked to choose the device you intend to use on test day, select the option, “I don’t know if I have access to the necessary device.” After selecting this, you will choose “Request a Device,” which will link you to a short questionnaire that requires an adult reference, such as a teacher, counselor, or adviser. Submitting a request does not guarantee that you will be provided with a loaned device. If you are approved for a loaned device, you must arrive at least 30 minutes before your exam to complete the test setup.
Content Changes
From a content perspective, very little was changed with the introduction of the Digital SAT, although there are two minor differences worth mentioning.
First, reading passages are shorter. The previous version of the exam contained four long passages, as well as one comparison passage, with roughly 10 questions per passage. In comparison, the Digital SAT features 54 short passages with one question per passage.
And second, students may now use a calculator on the entire Math section. The previous version of the SAT contained two Math sections, only one of which a calculator could be used on. The Digital SAT features only one Math section, and an on-screen calculator is provided for students to use across the entire section.
Consequences of the SAT Changes
The Digital SAT was initially pioneered by the College Board during the Covid-19 pandemic when the global educational landscape underwent radical shifts. The digital version of the exam was so popular that the College Board decided to permanently do away with the paper and pencil version and make the switch to an updated digital version.
In addition to shorter testing time and a more streamlined testing experience, the College Board purports that the Digital SAT allows for increased access to standardized college readiness testing. A total of 83% of educators who participated in the pilot study for the Digital SAT reported that they preferred the digital version of the exam to the previous version. With a digital exam, school districts could more easily host additional exam dates, making it possible for more diverse and underserved student groups to take the exam, thereby improving their chances of obtaining a college education.
Independent research cited by the College Board also indicates that students are significantly more likely to take the SAT if it is offered in school, at no additional fee, during school hours. With the Digital SAT, the exam can be taken on a student’s personal laptop or tablet, as well as school-managed Chromebooks, making it easier than ever for students to find the necessary time to complete the exam.
Based on feedback from students who have taken the Digital SAT and shared their experiences online, the biggest challenge with the newest version of the exam appears to be the format. Test-takers note that it can take some getting used to and suggest downloading the Bluebook app well in advance of taking the exam in order to become familiar with the features, particularly the on-screen calculator.
While the aforementioned changes are likely to have a positive impact on the test-taking experience, they have relatively no impact on preparing for the exam. They also do not affect the content that needs to be studied in order to obtain a high score, as students are still tested on the same content areas of Reading, Writing, and Math. The use of the Bluebook app may make preparing for the exam more accessible by making it easier to access practice tests while also learning helpful test-taking strategies.
Major Differences Between the Digital SAT and the Previous SAT
Digital SAT Vs. the Previous SAT
| Previous SAT | Digital SAT | |
| Total Test Time (exl. breaks) | 3 hours | 2 hours 14 min. |
| No. of Sections | 4 | 2 |
| Section Types | Reading; Writing & Language; Math (no calculator); Math (calculator) | Reading and Writing; Math |
| Questions Per Section | Reading: 52 Writing & Language: 44 Math (no calc): 20 Math (calc): 38 | Reading and Writing: 54 Math: 44 |
| Time Per Section | Reading: 65 minutes Writing & Language: 35 minutes Math (no calc): 25 minutes Math (calc): 55 minutes | Reading and Writing: 64 minutes Math: 70 minutes |
| Time Per Question | Reading: 75 seconds Writing & Language: 48 seconds Math (no calc): 75 seconds Math (calc): 87 seconds | Reading and Writing: 71 seconds Math: 95 seconds |
| Review and Bookmarking | No | Yes |
| Number of Questions | 154 | 98 |
| Section Score Range | 200-800 | 200-800 |
| Total Score Range | 400-1600 | 400-1600 |
| Score reporting | 3-6 weeks | Under 2 weeks |
Key Takeaways
- The Digital SAT is approximately 45 minutes shorter than the previous SAT.
- While there were 154 questions on the previous SAT, there are only 98 questions on the Digital SAT.
- The Digital SAT was first offered in 2023 to international students and is now the only version of the SAT that can be taken.
- The previous SAT consisted of four sections, but the Digital SAT comprises only two: Reading and Writing, and Math. There are two modules per section.
- The Digital SAT is computer adaptive, which means how you answer the questions in the first Reading/Writing or Math module determines the difficulty of the questions you receive in the second Reading/Writing or Math module.
- Test-takers have the option to bookmark and review as many questions in each of the four modules as they like. You are allowed to change as many answers as you like per module, provided there is still time remaining in the exam.
- Scores for the Digital SAT are received in less than 2 weeks, which is a significant improvement compared to the 3-6 weeks it took to receive scores from the previous exam.
- While the previous SAT had two breaks (one 10-minute and one 5-minute), the Digital SAT only offers one 10-minute break between the last Reading and Writing module and the first Math module.
- The Digital SAT can be taken on a Windows or Mac laptop or tablet, as well as a school-managed Chromebook, and if you do not have access to a computer or tablet, you can request to borrow one from the College Board on test day.
- Content-wise, the Digital SAT is virtually identical to the previous SAT.