Digital SAT Overview
Paper vs. Digital SAT
What is the Digital SAT?
Why the SAT Transitioned to Digital
How the Digital SAT Affects You
| Cycle | International SAT | US SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2023 | Digital | Paper and Pencil |
Mar 11, 2023
May 6, 2023
June 3, 2023
|
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| Fall 2023 | Digital | Paper and Pencil |
| Spring 2024 | Digital | Digital |
Explore free Digital SAT questions with detailed explanations.
Differences between Digital and Paper SAT
1. SAT digital testing app and device requirements
To take the Digital SAT, you need a device that connects to Wi-Fi. You have to download and install the latest version of the Bluebook® testing application on a Mac or Windows device, an iPad, or a school-managed Chromebook. You must sign in to the app using your College Board online account username and password. For more information about device and OS compatibility, check out this page on Digital SAT device readiness here.
To make the testing experience convenient and hassle-free, the Bluebook app comes with the following handy features.
- Mark for review feature helps you flag and return to any question within the test module if you wish to review later.
- Timer has been included to count down the remaining time in each module. You can choose to hide the timer, but you will be notified when five minutes remain for the module.
- Built-in graphing calculator to use for the Math section.
- Reference sheet helps you access standard formulas you might need during the test.
- Annotation allows you to highlight any part of a question and make notes.
- Option eliminator will help you strike through the answer choices to a question you feel are not correct.
The “Help” section of the testing app also include a list of keyboard shortcuts to help you navigate the application easily.
2. Test-level changes
| Paper SAT | Digital SAT | |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 1 hr 40 mins | 1 hr 4 mins |
| Math | 1 hr 20 mins | 1 hr 10 mins |
| Total | 3 hrs | 2 hrs 14 mins |
This change will not decrease the time you have per question; instead, the average time per question is increasing to 1.19 minutes per reading and writing question and 1.59 minutes per math question.
3. Reading and Writing section changes
The Digital SAT features a single Reading and Writing (RW) section instead of the two separate tests for the Evidence-based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section that we’ve seen in the paper SAT format.
According to the College Board, this change helps to measure subject knowledge and skills more efficiently than the paper and pencil SAT Reading and Writing assessments. The number of questions has also been dramatically cut down. Additionally, questions in this section are jumbled and do not appear in sequential order, as they do on the paper and pencil SAT.
| Paper SAT | Digital SAT | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Writing and Language | Reading and Writing | |
| No. of Questions | 52 MCQs | 44 MCQs | 54 MCQs |
| Time | 65 mins | 35 mins | 64 mins |
4. Math section changes
The math portion has also been replaced with a single math section instead of the two separate sections that we’ve seen in the paper and pencil SAT test format. Unlike the old SAT, which has always included no-calculator and calculator-permitted sections, the Digital SAT allows you to use a calculator throughout the entire Math section. The Digital SAT also provides students with an embedded Desmos graphing calculator, so they no longer have to bring their own calculator to the test.
Per the College Board, this transition reflects the usage of calculators in schools and real-world scenarios more accurately than the SAT’s paper and pencil version. If you do choose to bring your own calculator to the test, you need to make sure that you bring one approved by the College Board–check out our page on SAT Policies.
| Paper SAT | Digital SAT | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Questions | 58 | 44 | |
| Time | 25 mins | 55 mins | 70 mins |
| Calculator Usage | No | Yes | Yes |
5. Multistage adaptive testing changes
As you may already know, the Digital SAT consists of two equal-length and separately timed sections (Reading and Writing; Math). However, each section has been split into two modules, running for about 32-35 minutes per module.
While the topics covered by both modules are identical, the first module contains a mix of easy, average, and difficult questions. Based on your performance in the first module, the SAT app determines the difficulty of the questions you get in the second module. The multistage adaptive testing (MST) technology built inside the Digital SAT app makes it possible for the test to be considerably shorter than traditional SAT while maintaining a similar difficulty level.
6. Scoring changes
The College Board has not introduced any changes to the new SAT scoring policies. Like its predecessor, the Digital SAT gives you three kinds of scores: a total and two section scores (Reading and Writing, and Math). Our SAT scoring guide can help you learn more about the SAT’s scoring policies. Although the scoring policy remains the same, the Digital SAT score report does come with minor changes; subscores and cross-test scores are not reported.
Do colleges accept a Digital SAT? Yes, they do! The revamped SAT score report has also been redesigned to help you connect your Digital SAT scores with colleges, training programs, and other career options.
What Remains the Same in the Digital SAT?
The test fee remains $60, plus a $43 regional fee, the same as the paper SAT for international students.
The Reading and Writing section continues to focus on context-based questions, evidence support, and appropriate usage.
The Math section still covers algebra, problem-solving, data analysis, advanced math, geometry, and trigonometry, with similar question types.
The SAT is still scored on a 400-1600 scale and is administered in the same locations as the paper SAT.
The difficulty levels of both formats are comparable, making either score effective for college admissions and scholarships.
Practicing for the New SAT
Frequently Answered Questions (FAQs)
Which devices can students use for the Digital SAT test?
What if a student doesn't have a device for the SAT?
How is the Digital SAT more secure?
The Digital SAT app has adaptive testing technology, which means that the app creates a module by picking questions randomly from the SAT database. This makes it extremely difficult for test takers to share answers among themselves. In addition, the College Board has put in place various SAT Policies to keep the testing experience secure and convenient.
Are home schooled students able to take the Digital SAT?
Yes, home schooled students can take the Digital SAT.
