The last paper and pen version of the SAT was held on December 2nd, 2023.
Though international students have taken the digital version of the exam since March 2023, the Digital SAT is now the new normal for U.S. based students.
But how is the Digital SAT different from previous iterations of the exam?
In order to take both practice and official digital SATs, students may download Bluebook, a testing app that ensures that the testing experience is secure and reliable.
The test will also adjust its difficulty in response to a student’s performance level. Each test section (Reading and Writing, Math) is split into two modules. Questions in the second module will vary depending on the student’s performance in the first module.
Reading and Writing passages on the Digital SAT will be substantially shorter than the paper test, at around a paragraph in length. While many question types will remain similar, including questions about the main idea, author’s purpose, grammar/punctuation, and vocabulary, the test also will include several new types of questions. For one, passages will cover a wider range of topics, including poetry. Additionally, some questions will require students to synthesize conclusions from a given fictitious set of student notes.
On the paper exam, negative numbers were not permitted as answer choices on the Student-Produced Response questions (also known as grid-ins). Additionally, answers to student produced responses could be only four characters long. With the digital SAT, some answer choices may be negative, and answers may be up to six characters in length.
Despite all of these changes, the Bluebook platform provides a variety of resources to help students succeed on the test.
An annotation tool is provided on the Reading and Writing portion of the exam to highlight key words and take notes.
Students may flag questions in order to return to them later.
A reference sheet containing key formulas will still be provided.
A countdown clock will appear at the top of the screen to alert students when they’re running out of time (students have the option to hide the clock as well).
The Digital SAT is integrated with Desmos, an online graphing calculator, that students may use on the entire math section, but students may also bring their own calculator. Learn more about Desmos functionality here.
If your calculator uses batteries, replace the old batteries with fresh ones before the test. If your calculator must be charged, be sure to charge it the night before.
Check if your calculator will be permitted for use during the SAT here.
Students are able to take the Digital SAT on their personal computers; however, if they do not have a suitable device on which to complete the exam, they may request one from the College Board. Another crucial consideration is that students will not lose time from connectivity or device issues. Bluebook automatically saves students’ progress and allows them to continue taking the test without disruption — even after losing connection.
There are three key differences:
| Digital SAT | Old SAT |
| 2 hours and 14 minutes | 3 hours and 15 minutes |
The content on the digital SAT remains similar to the content on the Paper SAT. For a more detailed look at the new test, click here
However, you should make sure to familiarize yourself with the digital format. There are four digital practice tests available on the College Board website for you to practice.
The College Board has developed Bluebook, a testing app that provides a secure platform to take both official and practice tests. Learn more about Bluebook here.
If you don’t have a suitable device to take the SAT, you may request to borrow one from the CollegeBoard and one will be provided.
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