The SAT is Changing!

Big changes are coming to the SAT this spring: the test will be digital effective March 2024!

Staying the same: the SAT will still consist of two sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math.  Each section will still receive a scaled score of 200 to 800, for a maximum possible score of 1,600. Although the test will be on a digital device, it will still be administered at schools (or test centers) with a proctor present; students will not be able to take the test at home.

Changing: The digital SAT will be shorter at two hours instead of the current three hours on paper. The math and reading/writing sections will each consist of two modules. The SAT will now be section adaptive, i.e. performance on the first module of math and reading/writing will determine the level of difficulty of the second module. Each version of the second module will have a preset minimum and maximum score.

Here is a summary of the changes:

Should My Student Take the Paper or Digital SAT in 2023-24?

Well, that depends, of course!

Seniors Fall 2023: Paper SAT!

• 12th graders have four more opportunities to take the SAT: August 26, October 7, November 4, and December 2. These will be on paper. The August and October SATs results come back in time for early action and early decision college application deadlines. The November and December test results make the colleges' regular application deadlines.

Juniors 2023-2024: You have options!

• 11th graders who have completed Algebra 2 in 10th grade have learned all the math tested on the SAT, and may be ready to start testing this summer or fall with the existing paper tests. It may be a good idea for students to take the paper version while still possible and not have to consider computer adaptive scoring.

• If needed, these students can also take the SAT again in the spring to try the digital format. There is much overlap in the content of the tests, so preparing for the paper test now will be helpful for the digital tests later. Also, according to college board, super scoring test results will be possible across paper and digital formats!

• 11th grade students who will take Algebra 2 this year usually will take the spring tests, which will be digital in spring 2024.

Sophomores and Juniors 2023-2024: Digital PSAT

• All PSAT tests will be digital starting this fall.

Do you have specific questions about your student?

If you have questions about the best approach for your child, give us a call at 908-725-5454 or send us an email! We are happy to talk about your child's individual needs and to provide advice and a sensible timeline for testing.

We also offer free practice tests (SATs and ACTs) and analysis of the results to help students decide what test may work best for them!

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