The College Board, the organization behind the SAT® and many other standardized tests, has announced its plans to move the SAT® from a paper-and-pencil test to an all-digital format by 2024. This move is an attempt to reduce stress and anxiety among students and to make the exam more accessible in places where paper-and-pencil tests are difficult to administer.
What's Changing
The test will be administered digitally
The SAT® will be shorter - two hours instead of three
Calculators will be allowed on the entire Math section
The digital SAT® will be shorter, feature more time per question, and will have shorter reading passages. It is shorter because it relies on adaptive testing, said Priscilla Rodriguez, a College Board vice president. That means the test changes based on the students' answers, with the goal of reducing the time students spend answering questions that are either too easy or too hard. The students will also be allowed to have their calculators throughout the entire math section. Additionally, College Board is providing devices for students who don't have their own.
Students who took the digital version of the SAT® said the experience was less stressful and quicker than they thought it would be.
“It felt a lot less stressful, and a whole lot quicker than I thought it'd be.” – Natalia Cossio, 11th grader from Fairfax County, VA
What's Staying the Same
The SAT® will still be scored on a 1600 scale
The ability to track growth over time
The assessments will continue to be administered in a school or in a test center
The SAT® continues to play a vital role in college admissions, and 83% of students want to submit their SAT® scores to colleges.
“I think the digital SAT® will be a shorter, more secure test that will be easier to administer—that is great for students and educators,” – Stu Schmill, dean of admissions at MIT
Prepare with the Guidance of SAT® Experts
Preparing for the SAT® is still important to students who are looking to apply to a top college. That’s why vRealm is launching a series of instructor-led SAT® prep courses that are designed with each student in mind creating the most personalized test prep environment.
If you're interested in learning more about our courses, book a time to speak with one of our academic advisors.