Digital SAT - College Admissions

A whole new terrain.

The SAT is fully digital for the first time ever. We’ll guide you so you can take it in your stride.

The SAT is known for its ‘depth over breadth’ demands, and the new Digital version maintains that rep. However, it’s much shorter than its paper predecessor, which gives students substantially more time per question. Compared to the ACT, the Digital SAT gives students 68% more time per question.

The biggest change with this test is that it is digital – and adaptive. Each section has two modules, the second one being determined by your performance in the first. Module 2 will be more difficult if you do well on Module 1. On the flip side, it will be easier if you don’t perform as well on Module 1.

Format

This test takes 2 hours and 14 minutes, cut down from its previous 3 hours. The Reading & Writing section now has more brief, 1-question passages. The math section’s word problem lengths have also been reduced…and you’re allowed a calculator. In fact, there’s one built into the system for your use.

A 32-minute baseline module to kick things off.

It includes 27 questions, each from its own passage.

32
Minutes
27
Questions
Literature
Social Science
Poetry
Natural Science
History
Humanities

Distribution of topics varies. Easier adaptive modules tend to focus on literature; harder adaptive modules tend to focus on humanities.

Half reading. Half grammar and editing. Adapted to your skill level.

Either easier or harder – this is determined by how you did on the baseline. It includes 27 questions, each from its own passage.

32
Minutes
27
Questions
Break
10 Min

A 35-minute baseline module to gauge where you’re at.

It’s made up of 22 questions & provides formula references – with a Desmos calculator included.

35
Minutes
22
Questions

A 35-minute adaptive module.

Either easier or harder – this is determined by how you did on the baseline. It includes 22 questions & provides formula references – and a built-in graphing calculator.

35
Minutes
22
Questions
Total Time

The SAT clocks in at 2 hours and 14 minutes – that’s 46 minutes shorter than it used to be, and 41 minutes shorter than the ACT. With the digital format, you get 95 seconds per Math question and 71 seconds per Reading & Writing question.

A stopwatch with '2 hours 14 minutes' written in it
Reading & Writing
71s
Per Question
Math
95s
Per Question
Scoring

When you get a score report, you get more than just an overall score. It will also show your Reading & Writing and Math Section Scores out of 800, along with a Knowledge and Skills section which reflects your performance in various domains. The latter is not used to make college admissions decisions.

1600
Total Points
800
800
Math
Evidence-Based
Reading & Writing

Digital SAT Test and Registration Dates

The Digital SAT is offered 7 times a year – in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. It’s smart to sit for the dSAT a few times to account for first-time jitters and adjust to the new digital format, so plan ahead!

At the outset of junior year, consider sports seasons, end of semester exams, or whichever factors will affect you most, and register for 2-3 SAT dates accordingly. You’ll thank yourself senior year when you’re free to focus on those college apps!

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
SAT Test Date
Registration Deadline
May 4, 2024
*
April 19, 2024
June 1, 2024
*
May 16, 2024

Which test is right for you?

A turquoise desktop
A red, open textbook

Digital SAT

Digital, Adaptive
More Time per Question
Short, Single-Question Reading Passages
Scores Back Within Days

ACT

Paper, Fixed Format
Faster-Paced
Longer Reading Passages
Scores Back in 2-3 Weeks

1600
Total Points
36
Total Points
2h 14m
Total Time
2h 55m
Total Time
32m
Reading & Writing Baseline
71 Sec / Question
35m
Reading
53 Sec / Question
1-36 Points
32m
Reading & Writing Adaptive
(Easier or Harder)
71 Sec / Question
200 - 800 Points
45m
English
53 Sec / Question
1-36 Points
35m
Math Baseline
95 Sec / Question
60m
Math
53 Sec / Question
1-36 Points
35m
Math Adaptive
(Easier or Harder)
95 Sec / Question
200 - 800 Points
60m
Science
53 Sec / Question
1-36 Points

Take a Free Practice Test

Are you ready to take an online practice test? You’ll love how detailed our score reports are.

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