The New Digital SAT is Here!

We’ve been talking about this for the past year, and the time has finally come. Starting this month (March, 2024), the SAT will be administered in the new digital format. Reasonably, you might have some questions about the new test.

First, let’s talk about what is staying the same: The SAT will still be scored from 400 to 1,600 points. The test will still be administered by proctors at official testing sites. The testing sites will continue to offer accommodations, such as extra time (including time and a half and double time), to those in need. And you will still register for the test through the College Board website.

So, what’s changing?

There are several small changes being implemented into the test, the most obvious being that the entire test will now take place on a computer instead of with a pencil and paper.

The new test is significantly shorter (2 hours and 14 minutes) featuring 98 questions instead of the 154 that were asked previously. The test combines the reading comprehension and writing sections into one section with shorter reading comprehension questions focusing on the main idea, author’s purpose, grammar and punctuation, and vocabulary. Students will also need to synthesize conclusions from the readings.

The math section of the test is now a single section that allows a calculator to be used throughout the entire section. A graphing calculator is built into the test so students no longer need to provide their own.

The most important change to note is that the new test is now adaptive. What this means is that the test will dynamically adapt to your performance while taking the test. The test is in two segments: reading and writing, and math. Each segment is split into two modules. If you perform poorly in the first module, the second module will be easier. However, if you are able to answer the difficult questions in the first module, the second module will ask more challenging questions. So, it is important that you perform strongly in the first module.

The key to success is practice. Ivy Link offers test preparation services, including practice tests. Reach out today to schedule a consultation for our test preparation services.