If you’re a high school student planning to take the Digital SAT, you might be wondering what the Digital SAT format is and what that means for you. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the digital SAT format, from its structure to some insight into the question types.
What is the Digital SAT?
The Digital SAT is the latest version of the SAT that is taken on a computer instead of using paper and pencil. The test is administered through the Bluebook app, a platform developed by the College Board specifically for this purpose. While the content and purpose of the SAT remain the same—measuring your readiness for college—the digital format introduces some important changes in timing, question types, and adaptability.
Why did the SAT Go Digital?
The College Board decided to make the SAT digital and change the Digital SAT format for several reasons:
- Increased Accessibility: A digital test can be more flexible and secure, reducing the chances of test cancellations due to lost answer sheets or natural disasters.
- Shorter Test Time: The digital SAT is shorter than the traditional version, making it less tiring and more efficient.
- Faster Score Reports: Because the test is digital, scores can be processed more quickly, allowing you to get your results sooner.
- Adaptive Testing: The test is designed to adapt to your performance, making it more personalized and efficient.
The Digital SAT Format
The digital SAT consists of two main sections:
- Reading and Writing
- Math
Reading and Writing Section
- This section combines reading comprehension and grammar questions.
- Each question is associated with a short passage rather than long reading sections.
- The questions cover topics like main ideas, vocabulary in context, logical reasoning, and grammar rules.
- The first 13-15 questions in the section are reading comprehension, while the rest are writing questions.
- The total time for this section is 64 minutes.
Math Section
- This section covers algebra, problem-solving, data analysis, geometry, and some advanced math topics.
- Unlike the old SAT, the entire math section allows the use of a calculator.
- While this section is mostly multiple-choice, there are a few questions that require you to type in the answer.
- The total time for this section is 70 minutes.
Timing and Question Breakdown of the Digital SAT Format
- Total test duration: 2 hours and 14 minutes (significantly shorter than the previous version!)
- Number of questions: 98 (compared to the previous 154)
- Scoring: The digital SAT is still scored on a 1600-point scale, with 800 points for each section.
What is Adaptive Testing?
The digital SAT is section-adaptive, which means that each section is divided into two modules. Your performance in the first module determines the difficulty of the second module. Here’s how it works:
- If you do well in the first set of questions, the second set will be harder, allowing you to score higher.
- If you struggle in the first set, the second set will be slightly easier, but your maximum possible score will be lower.
This means that doing well in the first module is important because it gives you the chance to reach the highest score possible!
Can I Change the Digital SAT Format?
While some tests let you change the order of the test, you can’t do that on the Digital SAT. The format is the format.
However…
If you need an accommodation and can provide documentation, you can get 50% more time on the SAT.
Test-Day Experience
Where Do You Take the Digital SAT?
You can take the digital SAT at approved testing centers using a personal laptop or a tablet. If you don’t have a device, you can request to borrow one from the College Board ahead of time.
What If the Internet Goes Down?
No need to panic! The Bluebook app is designed to save your progress automatically, even if your internet connection is lost during the test. Once your internet is restored, the test resumes without losing any work.
Breaks and Navigation
- You cannot go back to previous questions once you’ve answered them.
- There is a 10-minute break between the Reading/Writing section and the Math section.
- You can flag questions to review them before moving to the next stage.
3 Common Misconceptions about the Digital SAT Format
Every year, we meet students who have heard about the SAT from other students and have A LOT of misconceptions about the test. Here are the three we hear most often:
“You are Taking a Harder Version of the Test”
- No, the SAT wasn’t harder in June than it was in November. The College Board tests its SAT questions extensively to nail down the level of difficulty and ensure the mix of questions on the test is similar from month to month.
“You Can’t Use Scratch Paper”
- Some students assume that because the test is digital, they won’t be able to write things down. However, students are allowed to use scratch paper for working through math problems and taking notes. You absolutely need to use it! Don’t do everything on your head or calculator.
“The Adaptive Format Means Fewer Chances to Score Well”
- Some test-takers believe that if they don’t perform well in the first module, their score will be doomed. While the first module influences the difficulty of the second, students still have the opportunity to earn a high score by doing well in later questions.
What the Digital SAT Format Means for You
We work a lot with students on proper SAT test strategy, in addition to content. Given the format of the SAT, keep these in mind:
- You need to understand the transition from the reading to writing. The first Reading and Writing section actually has two halves. Each half requires different thinking and skills. Most students don’t realize when they have moved from analyzing passages to thinking about grammar. Once we work with them on this awareness, their scores increase.
- Pacing is super important! It’s not enough to know content…you’ve got to master the timing. Take too long and you won’t see all the questions. Go to fast and you’ll fall for the traps. We do all types of timed drills with our students to improve their pacing. We even work with them to create individual test taking strategies based on what they know and what we think will work for them.
- Knowing strengths and weaknesses is important. If you’re not great at tables and graphs in the Reading and Writing section, should you spend a lot of time trying to improve? Maybe. Perhaps you are really good at text completion questions and need to maximize your score there. Your tutor can help you evaluate your skills and figure out how to get quick score boosts in the time you have.
Master the Digital SAT Format with Help from a Tutor!
With proper preparation and an understanding of the new format, you can take advantage of the shorter test time, adaptive features, and faster results. Whether you’re taking the SAT for the first time or retesting for a better score, private one-on-one, online SAT tutoring can really help! Whatsapp our SAT tutor directly if you want to maximize your SAT score.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Digital SAT Format
1. Is the digital SAT harder than the paper SAT?
Not necessarily! While the adaptive nature might make some sections harder, the shorter test time and digital tools can actually make it more manageable.
Many students worry that the digital SAT is significantly more difficult. In reality, the test content remains the same, with a similar range of question difficulty. The adaptive nature of the test tailors questions to individual performance, making it a more personalized experience rather than an inherently harder one.
2. Can I still take the paper SAT?
No, after 2024, the SAT will be fully digital, except in cases where paper testing is required for specific accommodations.
3. Do colleges view the digital SAT differently?
No, colleges treat the digital SAT the same as the traditional SAT. Your score and percentile ranking will be interpreted in the same way.
4. How do I register for the digital SAT?
You can register through the College Board website, just like before. Be sure to check available test dates and testing centers near you.
5. What happens if my computer crashes?
The test saves your work automatically, so you won’t lose any progress. Testing staff will assist you in getting back into the test quickly.
