All about Digital SAT

The students applying to study undergraduate courses at universities abroad are supposed to take this test and it is especially required in the US and Canadian universities. At present, the test is conducted in a pencil and paper format but in the upcoming year, it will be conducted digitally. The changes will be rolled out from 2023 and 2024 internationally and in the US respectively. After the pandemic, it could not be conducted because of its offline mode and lack of equity, which ultimately led to the removal of the SAT exam from many universities. But now that it has been planned to conduct the test digitally it would be accessible to all, making it easier for the candidates to sit for the exam anywhere accessible. 

What’s not changing?

SAT being digitally conducted from the next year has brought several changes but some factors would still be the same, such as-

• It would be measured to assess the students on their verbal, written, and mathematical proficiency.
• The maximum SAT score would remain at 1600.
• The test will be taken by the students at their chosen test centers or schools.
• The digital SAT syllabus would also be the same.
• It’s still entirely objective.

Changes

There are many things in the new digital SAT structure that are going to change from next year. Such as-

• Not a pencil and paper test anymore! 
• Taken on the laptops and computer
• The total duration of the test has been reduced by 1 hour
• There is a change in the modules, earlier there were two sections in mathematics, with or without calculator respectively. Now, both sections can be completed with the help of a calculator.
• The reading and writing section would be combined together into two modules and the same pattern goes for the mathematics section
• The reading and writing modules will have shorter passages with less wordy questions
• The calculator can be used in the entire mathematics section
• The final score will be delivered in a shorter period of time
• The registration fee for the test has not been decided yet
• The new digital SAT format would encompass 4 modules, having 98 questions. The time duration has been shortened to 2 hours and 14 minutes.

Testing experience

Since the format has been entirely changed and the way of conducting as well as it will be digital, there is some key information for the students that can be helpful while taking the test digitally. 

Content tested and questions

The digital SAT is not entirely changing the underlying content and the basis of the questions would be pretty similar to the current SAT questions. But, some differences are still there in the content tested and the type of questions.

The new digital SAT will come into effect from 2023 and 2024 internationally replacing the current pen/paper test pattern. Students must start preparing for the test 3-4 months prior to their final test date and must take SAT preparation classes. GoToUniversity provides SAT classes in the UAE and many parts of India for aspiring students. Take a free SAT diagnostic test and test the level of your knowledge.