Besides being digitally administered, what are the biggest changes to the new SAT?

Question

I’ve heard the SAT recently changed its format — especially with the shift to digital. What are the biggest differences students should be aware of? Has the timing, question style, or reading format changed? And what should students focus on to prep effectively for the new digital SAT?

Answer 1

The SAT has recently undergone significant changes, the biggest being its move to a fully digital format and a shorter overall exam. You will now take the entire exam on a computer or tablet. College Board also changed the format so there are only two sections- 1) Reading and Writing, 2) Math. This combination of changes has given more control to students and has shortened the exam by about an hour, depending on how you progress through questions.

Reading Section: Passages have been significantly shortened, from several paragraphs, to a few lines in some instances. It is more straightforward, focusing on literal verses inferential questions blog.collegeboard.org.

Math Section: You can use a calculator on the entire math portion!! <-- That is a big change, but may or may not be a good thing. Since the test is given online via a lockdown browser, a graphing calculator is built into the test. If you want to practice with the calculator, I recommend DESMOS (https://www.desmos.com/calculator)

Despite the format changes, the SAT still uses the 1600-point scoring scale and covers similar high school content. The revamped design allows more time per question (calculator can be a detriment rather than an aid) and aims to make the experience less stressful. collegetransitions.com.

Answer 2

The Digital SAT comes with several big changes beyond just being online. The most important ones to know are:

1. Shorter test time — about 2 hours instead of 3.
2. Adaptive format — each subject has 2 modules. How you perform on the first shapes the difficulty of the second.
3. Reading & Writing combined — long passages are gone. Each passage is just a few sentences with 1 question attached.
4. Calculator access — you can use a calculator for the entire math section, with Desmos built into the test.
5. New testing platform (Bluebook) — includes built-in timer, flagging, highlighting, and digital scratch paper.

The biggest takeaway: content knowledge matters, but success now depends on format fluency. I coach students to train directly in Bluebook so they’re not only confident with the material but also fully comfortable with the digital tools, timing, and adaptive structure they’ll see on test day.

Answer 3

The digital SAT was first introduced in the spring of 2024. This version is condensed and streamlined. This digital SAT is shortened from 3 hours or 3 x 60 minutes. = 180 minutes) to 2 hours or ( 2 x 60 minutes = 120 minutes). The math section is split into 2 (35-minutes).

Study the Khan Academy SAT PRACTICE TESTS.

If you do well on the first section; the second module will be harder to do.

Practice with the Demos app for the math sections.

For the math section, you can use the built in graphing calculators, but learn how to do the problems by watching the following app on calculators.

For the reading and the writing sections there are passages of one paragraph per question .Practice taking the test.

Answer 4

The SAT has undergone significant changes, extending beyond the transition to a digital platform, and students should be aware of how these updates affect test content, format, and preparation strategies. Here are the most significant differences in the new digital SAT and what students should focus on when preparing:

Shorter Test Duration

The overall test time has been reduced from about 3 hours to 2 hours and 14 minutes. This includes:

1. Reading & Writing: 64 minutes (two 32-minute modules)
2. Math: 70 minutes (two 35-minute modules)
3. A 10-minute break in between sections

Adaptive Testing Format

Each section is now divided into two modules. The first module is the same for everyone, but the second module adapts in difficulty based on your performance on the first. This means doing well early on could open the door to higher scores.

Reading & Writing Combined

Instead of separate reading and writing sections, they are now combined. Each passage is short (about one paragraph) and followed by just one question, making the section feel more fast-paced and streamlined. The focus is on comprehension, vocabulary in context, grammar, and rhetorical skills.

Math Updates

1. A calculator is allowed throughout the entire math section.
2. Students can use either an on-screen Desmos calculator or bring their own approved one. This change allows for more complex problem-solving and makes test-day strategy a bit simpler.

Digital Tools and Interface

The exam is administered via the Bluebook app on a school-provided or personal device. Tools include:

1. On-screen timer
2. Flagging questions to review later
3. Annotation/highlighting features
4. Digital scratch paper

Faster Score Reporting

Students can expect scores back in just a few days, much faster than the traditional paper-based timeline.

How to Prep Effectively for the Digital SAT

To adjust to this new format, students should:

1. Practice using the Bluebook app to get comfortable with the tools and navigation
2. Focus on reading short passages and answering concise, analytical questions quickly
3. Master the Desmos calculator or bring a familiar one to avoid tech hiccups
4. Understand how adaptive testing works and aim to perform well early in each section
5. Use resources like Khan Academy for free, personalized SAT practice

The new digital SAT is shorter, smarter, and more tailored to how students think and test today. The biggest takeaway is that it’s not harder, but it is different, so prepping with the digital format in mind is key.

Answer 5

Yes, the SAT transitioned to a digital format in Spring 2024. Several major changes were implemented at that time. The time allotted went from 3 hours to 2 hours total. Calculators, even built in graphing calculators, are now allowed during the entire Math section. The passages in the Reading and Writing section became shorter with only 1 question associated with each passage. Finally, every student is presented with a completely unique version of the test.

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