Five Things You NEED to Know About the Digital SAT®

The Digital SAT represents a significant shift from the traditional paper-and-pencil format, primarily in its structure and delivery method. The digital version is divided into two sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. The overall duration of the digital SAT is shorter, too, lasting about 2 hours and 14 minutes, compared to the three hours and 15 minutes duration of the paper-and-pencil version. Each section of the digital SAT consists of two parts, with a scheduled 10-minute break between the two major sections. Time allocation for each section is also different—the Reading and Writing section is 64 minutes long, while the Math section is 70 minutes.¹ Additionally, the passages in the Reading and Writing section are significantly shorter–25-150 words–than the long passages on the paper SAT, and each question will be paired with its own short passage.⁶

The Digital SAT is adaptive, meaning the test adjusts its difficulty based on a student’s performance. It uses a multistage adaptive testing design, where each test section is divided into two modules, and the difficulty of the questions in the second module depend on the student’s performance in the first module. This adaptive testing process aims to make the test more efficient, accurate, and tailored to each student’s abilities. The scores in an adaptive Digital SAT test are calculated through an equating process, and the test adapts between the modules, not within them.⁴

Since the SAT transitioned to a digital format, there have been notable changes in scoring and reporting.³ Electronic score reports, revised for the digital test, now include a comprehensive assessment of a student’s reading, writing, and math skills. These reports are also designed to provide students with information about local colleges, training programs, scholarships, and more. Despite these changes, the SAT continues to be scored on the traditional 1600 scale, and scores from the digital format are equivalent to those on the paper-and-pencil version. While the test content has been adapted for digital delivery, it still evaluates the same key skills and knowledge as before.

The Digital SAT allows the use of a calculator throughout the entire Math section, mirroring the way they are used in school and in the real world. The Math section includes 38 questions that must be answered in 55 minutes, and students are allowed to use most four-function, scientific, and graphing calculators. It’s important that students use the calculator strategically, however, as many questions may be solved more efficiently without it. The test platform itself has a built-in Desmos graphing calculator, and students are advised to be familiar with it if they choose to use it.⁵

The Digital SAT’s new online format calls for a revised approach to preparation, highlighting the importance of understanding content changes and the new testing interface. To meet this demand, updated study materials are pivotal to success. Educators now rely on online courses, video tutorials, and comprehensive software for effective preparation. Platforms like UWorld provide realistic questions and detailed feedback, familiarizing students with the SAT’s new digital format and targeting each student’s opportunities for improvement.