With the transition to a digital format at the end of 2023, the 2024 SAT provides a more streamlined  experience for test-takers. This guide will help you understand the key changes to the SAT format and offer expert strategies to help you ace the new digital SAT.

What’s Changing About the SAT?

The SAT has transitioned from a traditional pen-and-paper format to a fully digital version in 2024. This significant change is aimed at creating a more efficient and user-friendly experience. With this transition come several important questions:

• Are there significant changes to question types or test formats?
• Does the test duration remain the same?
• What devices are used for testing?
• Is the digital SAT easier or harder than the old version?

This guide will address these questions and provide essential insights to help you succeed.

An Introduction to the New Digital SAT (DSAT)

The new digital SAT is administered on a computer, providing a more modern testing experience. This transition streamlines data input, score reporting, and tracking, which benefits a generation of digital natives. According to students who have taken both the paper and digital SAT, while the content itself isn’t necessarily easier, the digital format may feel psychologically more comfortable for students. It is also much shorter, and hence reducing test day fatigue.

Key Differences Between the Digital SAT and the Paper Version

As of March 2024, the Digital SAT has replaced the old paper version entirely. Here are the key differences:

Test Experience

• Streamlined Administration: The digital format streamlines the entire process, from registration to test-taking, all on a single digital platform.
• Faster Score Results: Scores are posted within two weeks or less. Rush reporting options can deliver scores to institutions within 1 to 4 business days.
• Shorter Test Time: The digital SAT takes 2 hours and 14 minutes, compared to 3 hours for the paper version.
• Reading Passages: The Reading section features 54 short passages instead of 4 long ones, which can benefit non-native speakers.
• Calculator Use: Calculators are permitted for all math sections, and the digital platform includes a built-in graphing calculator.

Content and Format Changes

• Adaptive Testing: The test adapts to your performance. The difficulty of the second section is based on your performance in the first section.
• Math Section: Student-Produced Response questions are integrated throughout, and the digital format includes a built-in graphing calculator. The content emphasizes algebra and problem-solving, with a slight increase in geometry and trigonometry questions.

Reading and Writing Section: Questions are based on shorter passages and organised by question type. The skill of identifying evidence is still tested but in a new format.

Is the Digital SAT Harder or Easier?

The digital SAT is designed to assess the same skills and knowledge as the traditional SAT. Here’s a breakdown of the changes and their impact:

Timing and Pacing

• Shorter Test Duration: The digital SAT is shorter, reducing overall test day fatigue.
• Pacing Adjustments: Reading and Writing questions have approximately 1 minute and 11 seconds per question, while Math questions have approximately 1 minute and 35 seconds per question.

Test Format

• Consistent Format: The digital SAT consists of two sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. Each section has two modules with consistent formatting.
• Question Organization: Reading and Writing questions are based on shorter passages and organised by type. Math questions are integrated with Student-Produced Responses throughout.

Adaptive Testing

• Performance-Based Adaptation: The digital SAT adapts to your performance, with the second module’s difficulty determined by your results in the first module.
• Scoring Consistency: The scoring percentiles remain consistent between the digital and paper versions.

Top 10 Test-Taking Tips for the Digital SAT

To help you succeed on the digital SAT, here are the top 10 tips from the College Board, the makers of the SAT:

1. Pace Yourself: Use the built-in timer to keep track of your progress. Aim to complete a certain number of questions within a given timeframe.
2. Leave Yourself a Note: Use the annotation tool to highlight text and leave notes for yourself as you read passages.
3. Don’t Rely on Answer Patterns: Eliminate wrong answers to narrow down your choices. Don’t assume a pattern in the answer choices.
4. Don’t Leave Questions Blank: There’s no penalty for guessing, so answer every question, even if you’re unsure.
5. Move Around Within Modules: You can navigate freely within each module, so skip difficult questions and return to them later.
6. Do Your Best on Every Question: Focus on answering each question to the best of your ability without worrying about difficulty levels.
7. Learn to Use the Built-in Calculator: Familiarise yourself with the Desmos graphing calculator included in the digital platform.
8. Take a Full-Length Practice Test in Bluebook: Get used to the timing and format of the digital SAT by taking a practice test.
9. Focus Your Practice: Use your practice test results to identify and improve weak areas. Utilise official digital SAT prep resources on Khan Academy.
10. Prepare Well Physically: Get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and stay calm on test day.

Conclusion

The transition to the digital SAT represents a significant shift in the testing landscape, but it also brings opportunities for a more user-friendly experience. By understanding the key changes and following expert strategies, you can navigate the new format with confidence and achieve your best score. Good luck on your digital SAT!