Starting in March 2024, US students will take the new digital SAT on their computers and tablets for the first time. With most competitive colleges still using test scores in the admission process, students can demonstrate their readiness for college-level work by submitting strong SAT scores. You also may be able to win significant merit-based scholarships tied to your SAT performance. But with the new digital format, what are some of the most significant changes to the exam?
1. It will have adaptive sections
The paper-based SAT took over three hours to complete because students must tackle questions from a wide range of difficulties. The new digital SAT will be streamlined, taking only a little over two hours to finish because it will be “section adaptive.” This means every student will start with a module of moderate difficulty. Those who perform well will go on to a more challenging second module, but those who don’t will see an easier second section—which will affect scoring since the modules are weighted differently. It’s important for students to try their very best on every question since each one will have a significant impact on their score and will determine which module they'll move on to. Fortunately, the shorter test time should make endurance less of an issue.
Related: 3 SAT Prep Steps to Help High School Underclassmen Get Ready Early
2. Reading and Writing passages will be shorter
While the current SAT has a few longer passages accompanied by several questions, each Reading and Writing text in the SAT will now feature a single question and be no longer than 150 words. Having several shorter passages tests students on a wider variety of literary genres, including drama, humanities, and poetry. Many students may find it easier to focus on the reading material since it is broken up into smaller chunks instead of longer, hard-to-follow sections.
3. It will feature new question formats
Despite the shorter length of the SAT, there will still be plenty there to assess students’ critical-thinking skills, including new types of questions. Some of the new formats include:
- Textual Evidence:Students will be asked to determine what findings would support or undermine a hypothesis.
- Inference: Students must select an option that would most logically complete a selection of text.
- Rhetorical Synthesis: After a series of bulleted notes, students must determine what choice best uses information from the text to accomplish a specific goal.
Related: 5 Great SAT Prep Hacks to Succeed on Test Day
4. A calculator will be available throughout the Math sections
On the paper SAT, there’s a non-calculator Mathematics section. Most students I‘ve talked with are excited to learn that they’ll be able to use a calculator throughout the digital SAT. Although you’re still permitted to bring a calculator of your own, the SAT online program has a powerful graphing calculator by Desmos that you can use at any point during the Math section. This calculator will be especially helpful with problems about systems of equations, graphing parabolas, and graphing circles. Test takers will still be given scrap paper at testing centers, since writing out one’s work is an excellent strategy for arriving at a correct answer.
5. Limited accurate SAT prep materials are available
With so many changes to the SAT, many of the current prep books and practice tests will be dated, so you’ll need to look in the right place. The College Board has made four digital SAT practice tests and one digital PSAT practice test through their Bluebook application. Barron’s also offers a free eBook with Digital SAT practicematerials along with helpful articles and tips. You can supplement these free resources with updated preparation books like Barron’s Digital SAT Study Guide Premium and guidance from an experienced tutor. Additionally, you should work on bolstering your overall academic skills by taking rigorous courses, studying vocabulary, and reading independently, which will all help you prepare for the material covered on the SAT.
Related: 3 Things to Consider About Standardized Test Prep Services
Future college applicants concerned about these new changes should keep in mind that the exam is more student-friendly and that the ACT, the other major college admission test, will remain in its current format for the foreseeable future—so if you want a little more predictability, go for that exam. When high school juniors take the digital PSAT for the first time, many students will begin to feel more comfortable with this streamlined version. The digital SAT has been administered internationally since March 2023, and so far, my students generally like it better than the paper version. You have nothing to lose by trying the new SAT for yourself to see what you think. For many, it could be a big boon to their application and admission chances.
Not sure if the SAT or ACT is right for you? Get some great advice from experts who can help you decide!
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FAQs
Shorter “Everything.” Reading and writing prompts will be dramatically shorter, and the duration of the test will be significantly shorter, too. The test is shrinking from 3 hours long to a total testing time of 2 hours, 14 minutes, and from 154 total questions down to 98.
What are the changes to the SAT in 2024? ›
Starting in 2024, the SAT will no longer be administered in its physical form, marking a new era for one of the most critical exams for college admission. This move is part of a broader trend towards digitalization in education and testing, reflecting changes in how students learn and are assessed.
Will SAT matter for class of 2024? ›
However, a range of prominent public universities and tech schools, particularly in the South, have been requiring tests again for a couple of years now, and for the 2024-2025 cycle, half the Ivy League will once again be requiring all applicants to submit a test score.
How to prepare for SAT 2024? ›
How to Prepare for the SAT
- Review Your Practice Scores or PSAT/NMSQT Scores.
- Get to Know the Digital SAT. If you didn't take the PSAT/NMSQT, you should take a full-length practice test to set a baseline for your progress.
- Set an SAT Target Score. ...
- SAT Prep with Khan Academy. ...
- Test-Taking Tips.
Why was the March 2024 SAT so hard? ›
Additionally, there were more steps required to solve some of the hardest questions. This added complexity made these hard questions more time-consuming, which impacted many students' pacing. Indeed, we had several students report that they ran out of time on Math Module 2.
What are three major changes to the SAT now that it is digital? ›
Additional Changes in the Digital SAT
- The digital SAT is shorter: about two hours instead of three, with more time per question.
- Reading passages will be shorter with just one question tied to each passage.
- Reading passages will reflect a wider range of topics, including more of what students will read in college.
Is the ACT changing in 2024? ›
On July 15, 2024, ACT® CEO Janet Godwin released an announcement detailing major test changes coming in Spring 2025. The test “enhancements” will result in a much shorter test and more flexibility for students. Current high school students have already experienced major changes to college admissions testing.
Will Harvard require SAT for 2024? ›
All applicants to the Class of 2029 — due to apply in the fall and winter of 2024 — will be required to submit SAT or ACT scores, barring specific cases in which they may be unable to access such exams, according to the College's announcement.
Will the SAT be removed in 2025? ›
However, more than 80% of U.S. four-year institutions will not require SAT and ACT scores or will not consider them if submitted for the fall 2025 admissions cycle, according to data from the National Center for Fair and Open Testing, a nonprofit advocacy group commonly known as FairTest. Read: ACT vs.
Which Ivy League does not require SAT? ›
Are Ivy League colleges test-optional?
University | Test Policy for 2024-2025 Cycle |
---|
Harvard University | Test-optional through at least the 2025-2026 cycle |
University of Pennsylvania | Test-optional through at least the 2024-2025 cycle |
Princeton University | Test-optional through at least the 2025-2026 cycle |
5 more rowsMay 30, 2024
Three months is a great amount of time to prep for the SAT. You can spread out your studying and you'll have ample time to master the concepts tested on the SAT to get a good SAT score. It can be difficult to know where to start your SAT prep.
How to get a 1600 on the SAT? ›
4 Essential Tips for Scoring a Perfect 1600 on the SAT
- Start Preparing Early. You should start studying and preparing for the SAT at least three months before your test. ...
- Use Official SAT Study Materials. ...
- Practice the Pacing. ...
- Target Your Mistakes and Revisit New Material.
What is an average SAT score? ›
Breaking Down Average SAT Scores
The College Board reports that more than 1.9 million students took the SAT at least once in 2023, with an average score of 1028. The mean score in the reading and writing section was 520, while the mean score in the math section was 508.
Is the SAT getting easier in 2024? ›
The shorter prompts make the 2024 test more manageable for students who are learning English. The app and the built-in calculator students can use on the math questions feel more intuitive to a digital-native generation, according to some educators and students.
Do colleges care about SAT scores 2024? ›
While many colleges are still test-optional or test-free, others now consider the SAT/ACT an important part of the application process. Notably, prestigious institutions like MIT, Yale, Dartmouth, and Brown have returned to requiring the SAT/ACT.
Is SAT easier now than 30 years ago? ›
Generally, Critical Reading (now just called Reading on the redesigned SAT) has taken an overall decline, whereas the Math score has risen slightly over time. There are of course small fluctuations throughout the years, but the overall trend is clear.
Is the new SAT harder or easier? ›
For starters, the digital test will be shorter and adaptive. That means the test will get harder as the student progresses through it, but the level of difficulty will depend on how they performed on earlier questions. According to Patel, the digital SAT is also more "student-friendly" than previous years.
How long is the digital SAT 2024 with breaks? ›
The digital SAT is quite a bit shorter than the original paper-and-pencil version of the test. It has been cut down from 3 hours to just 2 hours and 14 minutes.
Is SAT still required for 2025? ›
REMAIN ACT/SAT-OPTIONAL OR TEST-BLIND/SCORE-FREE FOR FALL 2025; More than 80% of U.S. four-year colleges and universities will not require applicants for fall 2025 admissions to submit ACT/SAT scores according to a new tally by FairTest, the National Center for Fair & Open Testing.
Will the SAT be required for 2027? ›
While some schools have continued to maintain their test-optional policies into the 2023-24 admissions cycle, many have updated their testing requirements for the Class of 2027. It's essential to check each college's specific testing policies on their admissions websites, as the situation can vary between institutions.