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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the ultimate guide to the new digital sat format.

SAT General Info

When the College Board rolled out its new digital SAT format in spring 2023 for international students and in March 2024 for U.S. students, it was one of the most significant changes the company has made to the standardized test in its 97-year history. This major transition is intended to make the exam more equitable and to reduce test-taking anxiety by aligning the format with how students are already learning online.

But what precisely is changing? There’s much to know beyond the move from analog to digital. In this article, we’ll provide everything you need to know about the new SAT format so you can prepare effectively.

Key Differences in the New Digital SAT Format

Many aspects of the new digital SAT will not be changing from those of the pencil-and-paper version. For example, the test assesses the same basic skills, it will still be scored on a 1600-point scale , you’ll still need to take the exam at an official testing center, and you’ll still be able to take extra time or use assistive technology if you’re approved for accommodations . 

But the new test promises several important changes you’ll want to be ready for. Here are the six major differences between the current and new versions of the SAT.

Computers Are Replacing Pencil and Paper

Forgetting their required two No. 2 pencils on the day of the paper exam has led to outright panic for test takers. But with the new format, bubble answer sheets will soon be a thing of the past because 100% of the SAT will be administered on a computer . 

When you register, you can choose to take the SAT on a testing center computer or to bring a laptop or tablet that you own or that you’ve borrowed from your school, family, or friends. 

If you’re bringing your own device, it must be able to connect to Wi-Fi. It must also be running approved operating systems and have a certain amount of free space available; you can review the specifications for individual devices here . Finally, make sure you’ve downloaded the Bluebook testing software and fully charged your computer the morning of the test . 

Whether you’re using a testing site/school device or your own, you’ll also be allowed to bring your own mouse. And if you’re using a tablet, you can bring a keyboard, although you cannot use an external keyboard if using a laptop. If you’re using a school- or testing site–provided computer, you’ll just need to check that any external advice you plan to bring is compatible.

If you don’t have access to a computer and can’t borrow one the day you take the SAT, the testing company has you covered. When you register, you may ask that a computer issued by the College Board be shipped to the testing center . You’ll need to request it at least 30 days before the exam date and supply the name of an adult (e.g., a teacher, counselor, school administrator, or advisor) to vouch for you.

Should you lose power or your Internet connection during the test, all is not lost! The online SAT saves your work frequently, so you won’t sacrifice any progress you’ve made after you’ve reconnected.

Calculator Use

Speaking of devices, the print version of the SAT currently allows calculators on only one portion of the two-part Math section. By contrast, the digital SAT format will allow you to use a calculator on the entire Math section . And like your No. 2 pencil, you won’t need to remember to bring your calculator—or bring the right kind—because the digital SAT provides an onscreen calculator if you don’t already own one. 

Later in this post, we’ll talk more about what to expect of the Desmos Calculator embedded in the testing app. But if you prefer to bring your own graphing or scientific calculator, just make sure it’s on the College Board’s list of accepted devices . Note that you’re only allowed to use battery-operated, handheld calculators, and you will be seated away from other test takers if your device has characters that are one inch or higher or has a raised display that could be visible to the other students.

The Test Will Now Adapt to You

 The online SAT will be whittled down from its current three sections (Reading, Writing and Language, and Math) to two: Reading and Writing is the first while Math is the second. Each section will be further divided into two parts, called modules . 

You’ll answer questions in the first module before moving on to the second. But the questions in the second module will change for each test taker depending on how they performed on the first module . 

Thanks to this new adaptive format, the digital SAT will be more tailored to your individual needs and improve how precisely the exam assesses your skills.

A Shorter Test

 With fewer sections and a more adaptive format, the new digital test will be significantly shorter. The current pencil-and-paper exam takes approximately 3 hours; the digital SAT will take 2 hours and 14 minutes and offer more time to answer each question . 

For example, passages in the Reading and Writing section will be shorter, and you’ll have to answer only a single question per passage. And because questions across the entire test will be more direct and concise, you’ll be better able to concentrate on each question and have more time to answer it.

You’ll Get Your Scores Back Sooner

 With the new digital format, you’ll receive your SAT scores within days, not weeks . Knowing how you performed sooner means you’ll have extra time to determine which scores to send and to which schools . It also means you can take the SAT later and still meet college admission deadlines—and therefore have more time to study for the test. 

Alternatively, quicker scoring is a benefit if you’re planning to take the SAT multiple times to achieve the highest scores possible: you’ll have less time to wait to decide whether another try is necessary.

Increased Security

If a single test taker’s paper form has been compromised, the College Board will sometimes cancel the scores of all the students who were taking the exam at the same time and location. Moreover, test leaks and cheating scandals in recent years have led to delays and cancellations of score reports. But the new online SAT will offer far greater security: each student receives a unique digital test form, which deters the sharing of answers and makes cancellation far less likely.

The Content and Timing of the Digital SAT

Now that you know the overarching changes between the paper and digital versions of the SAT, let’s delve into the new SAT’s content, structure, and timing.

The Reading and Writing Section

The current version of the SAT features a 65-minute Reading section of 52 questions and a 35-minute Writing and Language (W&L) section of 44 questions. In the combined Reading and Writing (R&W) Section of the new digital SAT, there will be two modules, each taking 32 minutes and comprising 27 questions.

The reading passages in the digital SAT will be shorter than those on the paper exam, and instead of answering multiple questions in response to a single passage, you’ll now answer only one. Just be aware that these shorter excerpts will be just as challenging to read, if not more challenging, than those used on the current paper test. 

On the paper SAT, the Reading and Writing and Language sections are structured according to the topics represented by the passages. The five Reading excerpts focus on literature, history, science, another history topic, and another science topic—often in that specific order. The four Writing and Language excerpts focus on history, career, the humanities, and science—but their order can differ.

The new SAT will feature a greater range of topics, tones, and styles than the analog test, with more questions stemming from the humanities and a few poetry questions added (often by authors from the early 1900s and before). However, the passages and their corresponding questions will be grouped by the skill set they’re testing rather than by the reading topic . You can expect each Reading and Writing module on the digital SAT to assess these skills:

• Information and Ideas (12–14 questions): Use details from brief texts, tables, and infographics to determine the main idea, choose the best evidence to support a claim, answer comprehension questions, or infer the most logical way to complete an excerpt.
• Craft and Structure (13–15 questions): Define words and phrases that appear in lines of poetry or sentences of prose, evaluate how passages are making arguments, or connect ideas presented in two excerpts (e.g., determining whether one idea builds on another or whether two paragraphs are making similar or different claims).
• Expression of Ideas (8–12 questions): Select the transitional word or phrase that makes the author’s meaning clearer for readers, or use a short set of provided notes to decide which of the answers achieves a particular purpose (e.g., which answer represents a comparison, or which answer represents a contrast).
• Standard English Conventions (11–15 questions): Choose answers that reflect your knowledge of conventional grammar and mechanics.

The order and number of these types of questions will differ because, according to the College Board, each student will receive a unique test form.

The Math Section

In the analog version of the SAT, the Math portion comprises a 25-minute No-Calculator section of 20 questions and a 55-minute Calculator section with 38 questions. With the new digital SAT format, Math will be 70 minutes long and 44 questions, divided equally between two modules, and you can use a calculator on the entire section.

The digital SAT will no longer test reading skills in the Math section. The paper version of the Math section sometimes includes harder-to-understand word problems. The online format will instead feature more concise, straightforward questions that focus on your mathematical understanding rather than your reading ability.

The Math topics tested on the digital SAT remain the same as those in the paper test, but they’ve been renamed:

• Algebra (previously called Heart of Algebra; 13–15 questions): Develop, analyze, or solve linear equations and inequalities as well as systems of equations.
• Advanced Math (previously called Passport to Advanced Math; 13–15 questions): Create, interpret, or solve a variety of problem types, such as quadratic equations, polynomial operations, or absolute-value equations.
• Problem Solving and Data Analysis (no name change; 5–7 questions): Answer prompts about ratios, rates, or proportions; convert units; calculate percentages; analyze data with one or two variables; or infer data and evaluate claims from statistics.
• Geometry and Trigonometry (previously called Additional Topics in Math; 5–7 questions): Solve problems involving perimeter, area, or volume; angles, triangles, or trigonometry; and circles. The digital SAT will have nearly double the number of geometry and trigonometry questions as the paper version (15% of the section as opposed to the previous 8%).

As with the Reading and Writing section, the order and number of the prompt types will change for each student.

Within these four topics, you’ll also see two question formats:

• Multiple choice: You’ll select one out of four possible choices supplied on the test.
• Grid-in, aka student-produced, response: You’ll need to develop your own answer and then input your answers digit by digit rather than choosing from a group of possible solutions.

What Will the Digital SAT Format Look Like?

One great way to get an insider’s view of the new digital SAT is to take official practice tests on the College Board’s Bluebook app or on Khan Academy . The images below provide you with a quick preview of the new format.

If you’re familiar with the SAT paper test, you’ll notice how the Reading and Writing prompt is much shorter. The same applies to Math questions like this one:

Note, too, how you have to answer only one question per passage or graph.

Tools Featured in the New SAT

When you take the new version of the standardized exam, you won’t be able to access any other apps while testing. However, the digital SAT platform will include a host of helpful tools to help you navigate the exam. Let’s take a look at the test’s new and updated features.

The Desmos Onscreen Calculator

If you own and regularly use a personal handheld calculator, you’re allowed to bring it to the test if it’s an approved device . But built into the Bluebook testing application is a Desmos graphing calculator that you can use on the entire Math section . It allows you to graph lines and curves, plot points, locate x- and y-intercepts, and complete various other calculations.

If you’re planning to use the Desmos calculator, experiment with the device online and in practice tests to familiarize yourself with its various capabilities well before test day. The embedded onscreen device also includes updated accessibility features, such as compliance with screen readers and other assistive technologies, so you’ll want to test out those elements as well if you’ll be using them.

The Online Notepad

In Bluebook, you won’t be able to mark up graphs, charts, or diagrams in the test. But the digital SAT features an online notepad if you tend to do scratch work when completing math problems . Alternatively, you can bring a pen or pencil, and the proctor will provide paper if requested. 

You won’t receive credit for any of your scratch work. But using the online notepad or provided paper can be useful for sketching out calculations or double-checking your solutions.

The Countdown Clock

The digital SAT format will feature a countdown timer at the top of your testing screen so that you’ll know how much time is remaining in any given stage. If the clock causes you anxiety, you can choose to hide it. Whether on screen or hidden, you’ll be alerted when you have five minutes remaining on the module.

Mark-for-Review and Strikethrough Tools

In older digital versions of certain standardized tests, such as the GRE, test takers were required to answer one question at a time before moving forward; you could not return to earlier questions, even in the same section. On the digital SAT, however, you can move back and forth between questions as long as they are in the current module.

The new format also features a tool that allows you to mark questions that you want to return to:

This can be a terrific time-saver: if you arrive at a prompt that’s challenging you, you can mark it, move on to other questions in the same stage, and then return to those you flagged after you’ve finished the easier prompts.

You’ll notice that you can also strike through answer options you know to be incorrect . So if you read through a question and can eliminate even one or two of the four possibilities but can’t quite choose between the remaining choices, you can strike through the incorrect options, mark the question for review, and then come back to it later when you have more time to think through it.

A Math Reference Popout

For the Math section, you won’t have to memorize common formulas because during the test, you’ll be able to access a reference popout. It includes reminders such as how to calculate the circumference or area of a circle, the hypotenuse of a right triangle, and the volume of cylinders and cones.

How Does the Adaptive Format Work?

The new digital SAT is shorter than the paper format because the exam adapts to your skills and abilities as you move through each module. Let’s briefly examine what this looks like.

The SAT’s digital format is organized in this way: Reading and Writing Module 1, Reading and Writing Module 2, Math Module 1, and Math Module 2 (there’s a break between the Reading and Writing section and the Math section). Every student will take the exam in this order.

Reading and Writing Module 1 contains easy, medium, and hard prompts. At the end of the first module, the test will use your performance to determine whether you’ll continue to an easier or more challenging version of Reading and Writing Module 2. The same concept applies to the Math section: Math Module 1 contains three levels of difficulty, and the exam will choose either an easier or harder version of Math Module 2 based on how well you did on the first Math stage.

Because the SAT adapts only twice (once between the two Reading and Writing modules and a second time between the two Math stages) rather than adapting with every question, the stakes are lower with each individual question. So you don’t need to stress out if you’re feeling flummoxed by any one particular prompt on the exam. The adaptive nature of the digital SAT also means your score will more accurately reflect your skills and knowledge.

Tips for Taking The Digital SAT

Getting acquainted with the new digital SAT format is one of the most important things you can do to prepare yourself for test day. Here are a few more tips for navigating the online SAT.

Use Practice Tests to Prepare

If you’re planning to take the digital SAT multiple times to improve your results, keep in mind that you won’t learn how many questions you got correct or incorrect in either section or how your score was consequently calculated. That’s because each student receives a unique test that adapts to their individual level, and the questions are weighted differently—your score isn’t based on a simple tally of right and wrong answers . Furthermore, the College Board plans to reuse questions from test to test, so to deter cheating, no student will have access to the questions on their individual tests after exiting the exam.

Because you won’t know how your score was tabulated or have access to the questions on your individualized SAT, you won’t be able to use any actual test to learn from your mistakes or determine which strategies worked. So if you’re looking to raise your results on the next actual test, you’ll need to use your practice tests to elevate your performance . As you study, mimic actual test-taking conditions by completing sample exams in a quiet room with no distractions, pay careful attention to answer explanations, diagnose areas you’ll need to drill on, and keep track of the strategies that work for you on correct answers.

Focus on Working Swiftly but Accurately 

Given that questions are weighted differently, your goal on testing day should simply be to answer as many questions correctly as you can within the allotted time . 

For efficiency, memorize the directions for each type of prompt ahead of time so you can get to work immediately on the actual exam questions. But peruse each reading passage and math question carefully to make sure you know what it’s asking and what to think about as you’re answering.

Use the Embedded Tools

Unless you’re a mental math whiz, use the online notepad or the provided paper to run calculations and plot out notes or diagrams. Use the Desmos Calculator to solve more complex problems, but don’t lose precious seconds or minutes by using the calculator if you can confidently solve problems without it. And don’t forget to select the Reference icon if you need a quick refresher on common Math formulas. 

Throughout both the Math and Reading and Writing sections, remember that you can mark difficult problems for review and come back to them after you’ve solved easier ones. 

Use the Process of Elimination

On multiple-choice questions, it can sometimes be easier to identify incorrect answers than to determine the right ones, so use the Strikethrough tool to eliminate the ones you know are wrong. You might find that you land on the correct choice through a process of elimination. And since you earn points only for correct answers but never lose points for incorrect answers , narrowing your choices to two and then hazarding a guess means a greater probability for earning points than choosing randomly from all four possibilities.

Double-Check Your Work

If you finish any module early, take the time to double-check your answers, assuring that you’ve selected or typed in the exact answers you intended and revisited questions you were less certain about . On the two Math modules, you can also use the Desmos Calculator to make sure you’ve given reasonable responses to questions on which you didn’t initially use the embedded device. And for any grid-in/student-produced response questions, make sure you’ve input your answer accurately because there’s a greater possibility of error than on multiple-choice prompts.

We know that adjusting to a new format for the SAT can be stressful, but with a clear understanding of what to expect and careful practice, you can go into test day feeling prepared and confident. Happy studying, and we wish you all the best as you take on the new digital SAT!

What’s Next?

What counts as a great, average, or poor result on the new digital SAT? Our expert guides explain which scores to aim for and the minimum scores needed for college admission .

Do you need to take the digital SAT for college admissions? For the past 50+ years, universities have offered test-optional admissions. So should you even bother taking the digital SAT? Our post provides you with the information you need to decide whether you should go test optional .

Did you know that some schools guarantee you scholarships just for earning a specific SAT score? Check out our blog post on where to find and how to apply for these merit-based opportunities .

Meilee Bridges earned her PhD and MA in English language and literature from the University of Michigan and graduated summa cum laude from the Honors English Program at Trinity University. A former professor turned professional writer and editor, she is dedicated to supporting the educational goals of students from all backgrounds.

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The Digital SAT: Everything You Need to Know

Cait Williams is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cait recently graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Journalism and Strategic Communications. During her time at OU, was active in the outdoor recreation community.

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Caitlyn Cole is a college access professional with a decade of experience in non-profit program and project management for college readiness and access organizations.

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If you’ve ever wondered why the SAT doesn’t have a digital form yet, you can stop wondering because they have finally decided to go digital! In this article we’ll break down what the digital format of the SAT looks like, what’s new and what’s staying the same. So, let’s go! 

Registering for the SAT

Let’s start at the beginning of the whole process. Your first step when taking the SAT will be to register for it. Nothing much has changed in this part of the process, so you should be all set to select an SAT date and complete registration as normal through the SAT website. Your school may also offer the test during school hours, which you may be required to take. A school counselor or teacher should inform you of all the necessary information you need for that process. 

Also see: ACT vs. SAT: How to decide which test to take

While the paper SAT used to take around 3 hours, the new digital format takes only 2 hours and 14 minutes. The additional essay section still takes an additional 50 minutes, though that is only necessary in certain states. 

Flow of questions

The flow of questions on the digital SAT will be a bit different than it was before. On the written exam students would complete questions in the order they appeared in  the test booklet. However, on the digital version of the test, questions will adapt to the student. Adaptive testing  means that as students get questions right, they will become harder. If students begin to miss the harder questions, the questions will adapt and become easier again. In other words, students testing at the same time will not necessarily be answering the same questions. 

While the overall score of the exam will still be the same, not every question will be worth the same number of points. As questions become harder, they will be worth more points. Wrong answers will still not count against you, which is why you should answer every question!

The new digital format of the SAT is broken down in a much simpler format than before. The whole test will contain only 98 questions, as opposed to 154, and will be broken down as follows in the chart below. 

Calculators

A big change to the SAT is that students can now use a calculator on the whole math section. The SAT previously only let students use a calculator on a specific portion of the math exam. However, just because students can now use a calculator on the whole math test does not mean that every question will become easier as not all questions will be able to be plugged into a calculator easily. 

Don’t miss: What is an SAT superscore?

Testing devices

Borrowing a device.

The SAT knows that because they are switching to a digital format, this may impose a barrier to students who don’t have access to reliable devices to take the test. In order to relieve this issue, the College Board has a system through which students can rent a device. 

Borrowing a device will be an option that students can select when they are registering for an SAT date. Devices that are registered for will be available at the test centers the day of the test for students. 

Using your own device

If you plan to use your own device for the SAT digital test, you are permitted to do that as long as your device meets a few requirements. Students will also need to download an application called Bluebook in order to take the test.

In school exams

If you are taking an exam in school, then your school should handle the device requirement for you. 

Score availability

Unfortunately, just because the SAT is digital now does not mean that you’ll be able to view your scores any sooner. You should be able to find a score release date on the College Board website that coincides with your test date. It’s important to note that the College Board will send your scores to the colleges you chose ten days after your score is released. 

Also see: Average SAT score by state

So, what does all this mean for students?

While it looks like the SAT has made quite a few changes, they are largely logistical and won’t actually affect you as a student much. Students can still study and prepare for the test in the same way, sign up online, or attend a test at their school and receive scores the same way. 

SAT test accommodations

The paper SAT will no longer be available. However, the College Board is still willing to accommodate students with learning differences . If you require accommodations you can register for them online. You can also speak with someone at your school if they will be administering the test on a mandatory in school test day.

Key Takeaways

• The digital SAT has moved to a digital format and will no longer be available to students in the written format unless specific accommodations are required
• Things that have changed on the test include the amount of time you have to take the test, how the test is broken up, when you can use a calculator and the flow of questions you’ll receive
• Individuals can borrow a device, as well as use their own on the actual exam day, or they can count on their school to provide devices on required in school test days
• While many things are changing on the SAT, none of these changes should affect students in a negative way

Frequently asked questions about the digital SAT

Is the digital sat harder, how do you practice for the digital sat, what is a good digital sat score, scholarships360 recommended.

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The 2 Sections of the Digital SAT: What You Need to Know for 2024

The 2 sections of the new sat: what you need to know for 2024.

The SAT has historically been a standard component of the college admissions process.

Every year, the College Board administers seven SATs. Most students take the SAT for the first time during their junior year, sometimes earlier.

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to study for the SAT. In fact, in order to get that high score , you should.

What’s on the SAT? What content do you need to know to succeed on this college entrance exam?

Understanding the answers to these questions should be the first step of your test prep journey.

In this post, we’ll discuss the new digital format of the SAT, which will start being administered to all US students in 2024. We’ll cover timing, section structure, question types, and how the new adaptive test works. 

Download PrepMaven’s DSAT Full Diagnostic

Jump to section: The 2 SAT Sections: the basics How is each section scored? How do the adaptive SAT modules work Digital SAT Section 1: What’s tested on SAT Reading and Writing? How is the SAT Reading and Writing section organized? Digital SAT Section 2: What’s tested on SAT Math? Next steps

The 2 SAT Sections: The Basics

While the old SAT had four sections, the new SAT only has two: 

• SAT Reading and Writing

If you’re used to the old sections, this might be a bit of a shock: all of your verbal questions are now combined into one section and score (Reading and Writing). Plus, there’s no longer a separation between Math Calculator and No-Calculator. Instead, all math questions allow you to use a calculator. For a detailed guide to what’s on the SAT Math, check out our post here!

But there’s an additional twist: each of the digital SAT sections is now divided into two “modules” of equal length. So, in total you’ll have to complete two Reading and Writing modules, and two Math modules. Don’t worry: we’ll break down exactly how these Digital SAT modules work later in this post. 

Here is the exact timing and number of questions on each of the SAT modules: 

How is each section scored?

The scoring on each section of the Digital SAT is similar to that of the old paper SAT. You can earn a maximum score of 800 for the Reading and Writing Section, and a maximum score of 800 for the Math section. 

The maximum possible SAT score on the new digital SAT remains 1600. 

But what counts as a “good” score on the SAT? The answer really depends on what your goals are, and you can read more about putting your SAT score in context here. 

Of course, getting a top score means being ready for the content that the SAT tests! Download our free, full digital SAT diagnostic here to get started. 

How do the adaptive SAT modules work?

This is arguably the biggest change implemented by the new digital SAT format: it is now adaptive. What does that mean? In a nutshell, it means that the questions you see will depend on how well you’re doing on the test. 

When you take the first module of each SAT section, you’ll be given a mix of easy, medium, and difficult SAT questions. The better you do, the more difficult the second module of that section will be. That’s why each section is split into two adaptive modules: the second module’s difficulty depends on your performance on the first. 

What does this look like?

Let’s say you ace the first Reading and Writing module. Instead of seeing an even mix of easy, medium, and hard difficult questions on the second module, you’ll see questions that are more difficult. But let’s say that you then do very poorly on the first Math module. Then, your second Math module would consist primarily of lower-difficulty questions. 

Does your performance on the Reading and Writing section affect the difficulty of the Math questions you see? No: the two sections are treated completely separately! The second module within each section is determined exclusively by your performance on the first module within that section. 

Now, let’s break down what is tested on each section of the new SAT. 

Digital SAT Section 1: What’s tested on SAT Reading and Writing?

The Reading and Writing section of the new digital SAT tests your knowledge of reading comprehension, English grammar, expression of ideas, and—this is a new one for the SAT—logical reasoning. 

Each of those broader categories breaks down into specific, predictable question types. The main thing to remember is that you can train yourself to recognize and predict every question on the SAT Reading and Writing section . 

When it comes to the “Reading” part of SAT Reading and Writing, questions break down into two overall categories: standard reading comprehension and logical reasoning. Each of these categories contains several specific question types. You can check out our comprehensive guide to the kinds of Reading questions you’ll see on SAT Reading and Writing here .

So what gets tested by the Reading portion of the SAT? You’ll be expected to do the following: 

• Fill in words in context
• Summarize poems and short passages
• Identify the meaning of specific lines within short passages
• Interpret charts and graphs
• Support, undermine, and complete logical arguments

For the “Writing” section, you can expect to be tested on English grammar and expression of ideas. You’ll see the same specific question types on every Digital SAT, and we have a comprehensive breakdown of every Writing question type that tests grammar here for when you’re ready to start maximizing your score.

As a broader overview, we can tell you that the SAT Writing tests the following specific concepts: 

• Subject Verb Agreement 
• Punctuation 
• Pronoun Antecedent Agreement
• Dangling modifiers
• Logical comparisons
• Transitions
• Redundancy 
• Sentence construction
• Synthesizing information from bullet-pointed notes

Does it feel like a lot? It might! But the great news is we’ve got a post that covers all of the grammar rules you need to know for the new digital SAT, with examples and walkthroughs for real SAT questions!

For real examples of these questions, download our free SAT diagnostic quiz below!

Download PrepMaven’s DSAT Full Diagnostic  

How is the SAT Reading and Writing section organized?

Although the Digital SAT does not separate Reading and Writing into two different sections, there is still a clear difference between the two . 

In fact, the questions in the Reading and Writing section of the SAT follow a very specific order! The first half (roughly) of the section will cover Reading Comprehension. This means you’ll be presented with short passages and asked to answer one question on each. 

Something really important to keep in mind is that, unlike old versions of the SAT, you will no longer have to read a long passage and answer multiple questions on it. You will only have to answer one single question per passage, and each passage will be incredibly short: no longer than a paragraph or so! Take a look at a few examples below:

After you answer the passage-based Reading Comprehension questions, you’ll come to the first of the Writing questions. These are also carefully organized. In general, you’ll answer several questions back to back on the same grammar concept, then move on to a different grammar concept. 

So, for example, you might have to answer 4 questions on transition words in a row, then 3 questions on punctuation, then 3 questions on subject-verb agreement, and so on. This can be a huge advantage for you. If you use our guide on how to recognize and answer every type of SAT grammar question, you’ll be able to easily tackle each mini-set of questions, then confidently move on to the next!

Below, we’ve got a couple examples of real SAT Writing questions: 

Digital SAT Section 2: What’s tested on SAT Math?

Like the SAT Reading and Writing section, the SAT Math section is split into two similar modules, with the second one adapting to your performance on the first. 

The Digital SAT Math section tests all the same concepts that the old version (2023 and earlier) of the SAT used to test. That’s great news, because it means you can use all of the old practice tests to prepare! 

On the SAT Math, you can use the integrated Desmos calculator for any problem. In fact, if you master that calculator tool, you can use it to game lots of the SAT Math questions, even if you don’t know how to do the questions themselves! Master the SAT’s Desmos calculator tool and you’ll have a huge advantage over the test. 

Below, we’ve included a chart offering a breakdown of all SAT Math concepts, how often they’re tested, and what percentage of your total Math score they account for.

While there seem to be a lot of skills tested, they are always tested in nearly the same exact ways! That means the SAT Math section is highly predictable. It’s so predictable, in fact, that we’ve actually got a post here on exactly what kind of math you can expect to see on the digital SAT–check it out and make sure you go into test day totally ready. 

To see what these SAT Math questions actually look like, be sure to download our full digital SAT diagnostic worksheet below!

Next Steps: The 2 SAT Sections

The SAT is a critical component of the college admissions process. While the content of the 2 SAT Sections discussed in this post may seem familiar to students, it is often tested in unfamiliar ways. 

For this reason, preparing for the SAT is vital! It takes time to learn the language of the SAT, and it takes even more time to get closer to that high score.

What can you do to begin your test prep? We strongly recommend signing up for one of our state-of-the-art SAT programs. Working with professionals as you study for the SAT is the surest way to guarantee excellent results.

When you’re ready to start prepping, learn more about our programs here , and download our free digital SAT diagnostic below. 

Top SAT Posts

• The 15 Best Online SAT Tutoring Services for 2024
• What’s a Good SAT Score for 2024?
• The 2 Sections of the Digital SAT
• SAT Grammar Rules for a Perfect Score
• 5 Tips for SAT Reading Questions
• Hardest SAT Math Questions
• Digital SAT Scoring Guide
• What’s on the SAT Math Section?
• How to Prepare for the Digital SAT
• The 12 Best SAT Prep Courses
• When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Mike is a PhD candidate studying English literature at Duke University. Mike is an expert test prep tutor (SAT/ACT/LSAT) and college essay consultant. Nearly all of Mike’s SAT/ACT students score in the top 5% of test takers; many even score above 1500 on the SAT. His college essay students routinely earn admission into their top-choice schools, including Harvard, Brown, and Dartmouth. And his LSAT students have been accepted In into the top law schools in the country, including Harvard, Yale, and Columbia Law.

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The SAT Writing Section (Essay): Here’s What You Need to Know

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The SAT recently revamped itself to more accurately test what students learn in school. The new version is less deliberately tricky and confusing, but it’s still a challenging, exhausting test. Let’s say you’ve taken both the ACT and the SAT and you perform better on the SAT. Now that you’ve chosen it as your go-to test, how do you get through the essay portion, especially if you hate writing?

Fun fact: the SAT has plenty of new practice tests , which include essays. For the purposes of this post, I’ll be working from this practice essay , so it might be useful to have it open as you read. We’ll go through what’s expected, what scoring looks like, and how to go about writing the best essay you can.

Understand What You’re Being Asked to Do

The new SAT no longer asks you to make up ideas and references from scratch (which, honestly, is probably for the best). Instead, it provides you with an essay and asks you to analyze it, much in the same vein as an in-class analytical or an AP English Language essay.

The Assignment

The assignment reads as follows. At the top you’ll see a generic introduction for what to look for as you read:

As you read the passage below, consider how (the author of the passage) uses:

• evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims.
• reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence.
• stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power to the ideas expressed.

Then, at the bottom, the instructions get specific. For this essay, they read like this:

Write an essay in which you explain how Bobby Braun builds an argument to persuade his audience that the US government must continue to invest in NASA. In your essay, analyze how Braun uses one or more of the features listed in the box above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of his argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage. Your essay should not explain whether you agree with Braun’s claims, but rather explain how Braun builds an argument to persuade his audience.

What does this mean? Essentially, as you read, pick out the techniques the author uses to make his or her point, then write a detailed essay that covers a couple of the main ones. Brush up on your knowledge of literary terms and devices well in advance of writing the SAT essay. You don’t have to know them all, but know the most commonly used ones really well (tone, diction, imagery, simile/metaphor, allusion, rhetorical question, anecdote, and symbolism, to name a few) so you can rely on those. In an argumentative essay, like this one, an author will always use tone, diction (choice of words), and some kind of persuasion technique (Logos? Pathos? Ethos? Anecdote? etc.).

How is the essay scored? Two testers will read your essay and will provide a score of 1-4 on three different benchmarks: reading, analysis, and writing.

Did the writer understand the content? Did they quickly summarize the argument/point and then move quickly into their interpretation of it? Did they paraphrase and directly quote?

Did the writer not only identify the right literary terms/devices but assess their uses effectively? In other words, did the writer understand why the author used those devices and say so? Did the analysis integrate into the rest of the essay?

Is there a strong thesis, body paragraphs for each device, and a quick conclusion? (More on organization below.) Is the writing “strong,” i.e., sentence variety, no unnecessary words or repetition, strong words, and sophisticated reasoning?

The testers’ scores are then added together for an aggregate final score. So, a top score would be 8/8/8.

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Final Thoughts

Unless you’re being given extra time, you have exactly 50 minutes to complete the essay. This sounds like a lot (and it’s more than it used to be), but don’t be fooled. You’ll use the time.

Students with special accommodations might be able to take the test on a computer, but otherwise it’s a written test. Your test booklet will be scanned into a computer. If you make a mistake, don’t erase your work, because it causes smudges and can make it hard for the tester to read. Simply cross out and rewrite. The testers are trained not to read crossed-out material. If you’ve been told your handwriting is impossible to read, write a little more slowly than you might otherwise. Choose the style that’s more legible for you: print or cursive. When you write practice tests, give it to someone and ask if they can read it.

You’ll take the SAT essay last, after every other section has been completed. So you’ll be exhausted. There’s no way around that, unfortunately, beyond bringing snacks and water on test day and walking around during breaks to take the focus off your brain for a couple minutes. Practice is key; you’ll want to be able to read an essay quickly, pull out devices, and write a straightforward essay with a minimum of confusion and anxiety. Only practice and memorization of the right information will get you there.

As you prepare to take the SAT, take a look at some example essays that scored highly. It won’t be the same subject matter, but the structure and language will be aspects you can emulate.

Read with the Assignment in Mind

Imagine that your proctor has told you to turn to the essay section. You already know the basic assignment, so you can actually skip the top introduction and dive right in to the essay. Don’t get bogged down with unfamiliar words or the most complex sentences. You don’t need to absorb every single word of the essay. Read to find devices you can use. Circle them and ID them as you go. Don’t be picky right away—just observe and note what you see.

Go ahead and skim the bottom instructions, but even then the first sentence is the only really important one. In this case, the gist is: how does Braun persuade his audience to invest in NASA? Then, go back to the devices you found, and pick out the three strongest and/or most used devices to structure your essay. Can’t find three? Remember, an author always uses tone (point of view) and diction (word choice) so those are two easy ones if you’re stuck.

The process of reading and pulling out devices should take no more than eight minutes.

Make a Quick Outline

I know this one sound counterintuitive, given what I said about time limits, but bear with me. Just starting to write without a clear path is hugely problematic for timed essays. Even the best writers make a mental note of their general direction. Without planning, you might change directions mid-essay, forget your thesis and end up arguing something else, or wander off completely without realizing it.

The outline can be short and sweet. For example, with this practice essay, it could look like this:

Intro: Braun argues that continuing to invest in space tech and research keeps us competitive in the world economy. Devices: logos, imagery, allusion

Body 1: Logos (logic): paragraph 3, 5, 7

Body 2: Imagery: paragraph 4, 6

Body 3: Allusion: paragraph 8

Don’t even bother to include your conclusion in your outline. It’s pretty much the same content as your intro. Also, remember that you don’t need to tackle every aspect or device in the essay. Highlight where your devices are, then focus your analysis to those sections. In the outline above, I’ve structured the devices so that you’re going through the essay in almost chronological fashion. You don’t have to do this, but it makes the essay-writing a bit easier.

The process of outlining should take no more than two minutes.

Write Quickly but Methodically

Don’t waste a lot of breath with a big, drawn out introduction. State the argument of the author in one sentence, then your thesis, which should be a list of the three devices you plan to use. Keep it simple and easy, then move on.

For each body paragraph, make a quick topic sentence explaining which device you’re analyzing. Spend one sentence (ONLY one) summarizing how the author is using the device. Begin to use quotes or paraphrase; after each example, analyze why the author uses the device and the effect it has. About three quotes or examples are usually standard. Then, at the end of the paragraph, use one sentence to sum up the effect the device has on the whole essay. Use sample essays for examples of this structure.

See the numbers at the side of each paragraph? When you quote directly or summarize directly, put the number of the paragraph in parenthesis afterwards to cite where you’re getting the information from.

For your conclusion, simply restate what you’ve said before. If you’re feeling extra-confident, feel free to add a key takeaway from the analysis, but it’s not necessary. So, your conclusion can be two sentences just like your intro.

What if your writing style isn’t advanced or similar to the example essays? Work with a teacher or tutor who can help you develop your skills if you have the time. If not, just write simply and clearly. Don’t use overly technical words. Don’t make really long sentences just for the sake of doing so. Even simple, forceful language can be effective so long as your argument is good. So focus your attention on ensuring that you know what good analysis is and how to replicate it.

You’ll have 35 minutes to write. Keep an eye on the clock, but mostly just focus on writing quickly and clearly.

Leave a Few Minutes for Proofreading

Again, I know you’ll be flying through this essay at lightning speed to get everything done effectively. But this one’s important too. When you write quickly, grammar and spelling can fall by the wayside. That’s totally normal, so don’t freak out. But you will be graded on such aspects in your final score, so leave 5 minutes max at the end to skim through your essay, pinpoint where you made mistakes, cross out the word or phrase, and write the correct word or phrase above it. Try to make corrections clearly so that the tester knows which version to read.

And that’s it! Easy, right? (Totally kidding.) As with everything else, practice will help. If you’re not already doing this kind of essay in class, do a few practice essays at home. Make sure you do the EXACT process start to finish: time yourself, write an outline, and so on. Part of success is building the muscle memory to go into the essay with a solid base of experience and confidence that you’ll succeed.

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Digital SAT – Everything you need to know

• Author: Litera Centre
• Updated: January 11, 2023
• Language: English

Globalization is at its zenith in the current times. Nearly 30 lakh aspirants across the globe attempt the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) every year at various test centers in more than 170 countries to study in various national and international institutions. SAT is conducted at least five times every year in the months of March, May, August, October, and December for different groups of students whether international or belonging to US schools.

SAT is a comprehensive test globally accepted by colleges and universities for admission into various bachelor or undergraduate study programs across the world. It is conducted for a full score of 1600 of which a score range of 1200-1600 opens the aspirants to a plethora of admission and scholarship opportunities worldwide.

The test hitherto has been a three-hour long PBT or pen & paper-based test. But the College Board of the United States has come up with a transition to the digital mode called the Digital SAT . This transition will be effective from 2023 at all the international test centers and 2024 at all the US schools. The recent SAT conducted on 3 December 2022 was the last ever pen-paper version of the test.

According to the College Board, the new Digital SAT has been introduced to solemnize the test and make it the best possible option for students. Let’s dive into the intricacies of the new SAT.

1. Digital SAT:

Digital SAT is the newly transitioned digital version of the existing Scholastic Assessment Test popularly known as SAT. This will be conducted digitally, meaning online on an electronic device such as a laptop or a tablet.

Students are supposed to take the test on the Digital SAT Suite Application administered by the College Board’s digital testing application. But that doesn’t imply the test can be taken anywhere. The candidates should take the test at a test center where they can carry their devices and will be guided to download the testing application for the assessment, or the candidates can download the same on their own.

The Digital SAT will be first made available for international students in the spring of 2023 and then to US students in the spring of 2024. If the international students missed the 2022 SAT on 3 December, which was the last pen-paper-based test, their only option is the next Digital SAT of March 2023, which will be the first-ever digital test.

2. SAT Vs DSAT:

The existing version of SAT which is a pen-paper test is an exhaustive version of SAT with separate Reading & Writing Language Sections and Math, aimed to assess the skills and knowledge of the aspirants for their required course of study and career.

It takes place for three hours for a full score of 1600. The digital transition of SAT is called Digital SAT or DSAT. In contrast to the exhaustive nature of the current SAT, DSAT will be an adaptive version aimed at optimisation of the candidate’s scoring accordingly.

Similarities:

• Both versions of assessments are divided into two sections each of which has two modules adaptive to the candidate’s performance.
• They both aim at the evaluation of the candidate’s skills and readiness.
• The test is for a total score of 1600.
• The test has to be taken at a scheduled test center.
• Practice materials free of cost are available for both modes of assessment.
• Their validity is similar for both course admission as well as for scholarships.

SAT Vs DSAT(Differences):

Following is the overview of major changes from SAT to DSAT:

3. The New SAT:

The conventional SAT had 4+1 sections with an optional Essay writing section, each section separately timed and assessed.

The breakdown is as follows:

• SAT Reading (65 questions – 65 minutes)
• SAT Math (no calculator) (20 questions – 25 minutes)
• SAT Math (calculator) (38 questions – 55 minutes)
• SAT Writing and Language (44 questions – 35 minutes)
• SAT Essay Writing (optional) (1 question – 50 minutes)

The Digital SAT has both Reading and Writing sections combined into one and a separate Math section. Both areas have 2 modules each adaptive and separately timed. In the Reading and Writing Sections earlier, a specific passage format was followed in which one long passage and multiple questions were given to answer comprehending the same.

Now, each question will have 1 or 2 short passages or texts specific to the question. So, a wide spectrum of contexts and genres could be covered and assessed.

DSAT follows an adaptive model i.e., each module has 3 levels – easy, medium, and hard. The level of Module 2 depends on the candidate’s performance in Module 1. 

• If Module 1 has more correct responses, Module 2 will be a harder one but the scoring range will be higher.
• If Module 2 has lesser correct responses, Module 2 will be an easier one but the scoring range will be lower.

SAT Reading and Writing Section : 2 Modules – 64 minutes

• Module 1: 20 operational & 2 pre-test questions – 32 minutes
• Module 2: 20 operational & 2 pre-test questions – 35 minutes

SAT Math : 2 Modules – 70 minutes

• Module 1: 20 operational & 2 pre-test questions – 35 minutes

4. What’s New?

While the traditional pen-paper SAT has its own merits, the new DSAT has scores of interesting elements facilitated by technology. Some of them are:

• The first feature is the reduced exam time which earlier was over 3 hours (50 minutes more with essay) down to just 2 hours 14 minutes now.
• The test is taken digitally on a wide range of devices like laptops and tablets.
• The Digital SAT Suite has a separately timed sections feature which helps the candidates keep an eye on the timer and pace accordingly.
• SAT has two Math sections, one no-calculator section and one allowing calculator use. DSAT moves away from the no-calculator attribute. The DSAT suite application has an in-built Desmos Graphing Calculator to facilitate the working of arithmetic operations.
• Various topics and areas are covered in the passages or texts which offer a personally relatable and interesting view similar to the ones of one’s school or college examinations. 
• The application displays only one question at a time to fully focus on one thing at a time.
• The number of sections has been reduced to only 2 equally-lengthed and separately timed ones with a 10-minute break in between.
• Increased average time per question. From just 60-62 seconds in the case of SAT to 75 seconds in Digital SAT.
• It is based on a multi-stage adaptive model in which the performance is assessed for the initial module and the following one whether an easier or a harder one is accommodated accordingly. [ Refer to DSAT in 3. The New SAT]
• The application is equipped in such a manner that it is made tolerant of minor interruptions such as a momentary power cut, internet buffering, device battery run-out, and other minor network issues.
• Testing time loss is taken care of. The DSAT suite application survives the cases of battery drain or a momentary power off etc in the case which, one has to only plug in an adapter or a charger to the device and resume immediately. It autosaves the responses and allows the resume of the test without losing much testing time.
• Options such as mark for review and view reference sheet are available.
• One can even highlight, annotate and make a note whenever and wherever required.
• Digital SAT greatly subtracts the hassle of printing, shipping, packing-unpacking, and distribution of test materials to test centers.
• It lowers the admin time including the time for pre and post-test activities in case of a pen-paper test.
• DSAT amplifies the feasibility and flexibility of taking the test.
• Delivers faster results than the traditional SAT which is 2-3 weeks whereas DSAT results can be accessed in only a few days.
• The digital SAT is flexible, more secure and easier. It nullifies the probability of copying or malpractice during the test making it more reliable.

5. Litera Center SAT:

Litera Center is a globally renowned Ed-tech platform catering to the educational needs of students of grades 6-12 of IB and IGCSE curriculums, AS & A level classes, SAT tuitions and guidance to the students in fulfilling their academic aspirations.

It is a student-friendly, reliable and affordable online tuition platform for students. Litera Center offers complete and comprehensive SAT classes and guidance to aspirants. Click here to get complete information about SAT tuition and guidance from Litera Center.

International students of the 2023 class aspiring for SAT will be the first ones to take the Digital SAT or DSAT in the spring of 2023 i.e., in March 2023 and they will not be able to go for pen-paper SAT again since the College Board has decided to make SAT completely digital 2023 onwards.

While the conventional SAT for international students is a missed opportunity, the students of US schools can attempt the pen-paper SAT in 2023 while they still can since SAT will go entirely digital across the world notwithstanding whether a US school or international student from 2024 onward.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ )

Does the digital sat have an essay.

No, the Digital SAT (dSAT) does not have an essay section. The essay section was optional in the traditional pen-and-paper SAT, but it was removed in the digital format transition. The dSAT evaluates skills in Reading, Writing, and Math content, but no essay component exists.

What is DSAT vs SAT?

The Digital SAT (DSAT) is the digital version of the SAT exam. It is administered on computers or other digital devices like laptops and tablets. The DSAT has several features facilitated by technology, including reduced exam time and separately timed sections. It is designed to provide students with a more efficient and streamlined testing experience. On the other hand, the SAT refers to the traditional pen-and-paper version of the exam. It consists of sections in Reading, Writing, and Math, with an optional essay section. The SAT has been administered in this format for many years before the introduction of the DSAT 

Is there an essay on the Digital SAT ?

No, the Digital SAT does not include an essay section. The essay section was removed from the linear SAT in 2021 and is not part of the digital exam version. The Digital SAT consists of combined Reading and Writing sections and a separate Math section, all taken digitally on devices like laptops and tablets.

What is the DSAT?

The DSAT stands for Digital SAT, the same as the DSAT mentioned earlier. The digital version of the SAT exam is taken on a computer or other digital devices. The DSAT retains the same content areas as the traditional SAT, including Reading, Writing, and Math, but it does not include an essay section. The DSAT offers features such as reduced exam time and separately timed sections to enhance the testing experience for students.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, what's the format of the act.

I've taken the SAT before, but I've heard that some students find the ACT to be a better fit for them. What's the format of the ACT and how does it compare to the SAT? I just want to make sure I choose the test that's most likely to give me the best score. Thanks in advance!

Hey there! The ACT is a standardized test like the SAT, but it has some differences in format and content. It consists of four mandatory sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science) and one optional Writing section. Here's a breakdown of each section:

1. English: This section tests your grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills. It has 75 questions, and you'll have 45 minutes to complete it.

2. Math: The Math section measures your knowledge of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. It has 60 questions, and you'll have 60 minutes to complete it. Unlike the SAT, the ACT covers some topics like trigonometric graphs, matrices, and logarithms, which might be new for some students.

3. Reading: This section assesses your reading comprehension skills, and it's similar to the SAT Reading section. It has 40 questions with four passages, and you'll have 35 minutes to complete it.

4. Science: The Science section measures your skills in interpreting and analyzing scientific data, including charts and graphs. It does not require deep knowledge of specific scientific concepts. This section consists of 40 questions, and you'll have 35 minutes to complete it.

5. Writing (Optional): The Writing section is an essay prompt; you'll have 40 minutes to write an essay. This section evaluates your ability to organize ideas and express them effectively. While the writing portion is not required by the ACT itself, some colleges might ask for it during the application process.

The ACT is scored on a scale of 1-36 for each section with a composite score being the average of the four section scores rounded to the nearest whole number (not including the Writing section). The optional Writing section is scored separately on a scale of 2-12.

The main differences between the SAT and the ACT are the presence of the Science section on the ACT, the different format of the Math section (ACT covers some more advanced topics), and the absence of a no-calculator section on the ACT Math. Some students find the ACT to be more time-pressured, but it ultimately depends on your individual skills and preferences.

It's a good idea to take practice tests for both exams to determine which test format suits you better. Good luck!

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