Educator’s Guide to the Digital SAT
Welcome to The Educator’s Guide to the Digital SAT! The purpose of this guide is to help you understand the ins and outs of the digital SAT, so that you can support your students as they prepare for the test.
First, we’ll cover the essentials, including an overview of the test format and the technological requirements for test day. Next, we’ll discuss computer adaptive testing and how it’s implemented on the digital SAT. We will then delve into the content and question format for each section of the test. Finally, we’ll explore best practices for preparation and special considerations when helping students prepare for a digital test.
Table of Contents
Key Dates
The transition to the digital SAT has already started. Here are some key dates to keep in mind:
- December 3, 2022 – Last paper test for international students
- March 11, 2023 – First digital test for international students
- October 2023 – First digital PSAT/NSMQT for all students
- December 2, 2023 – Last paper test for students in the USA, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands
- March 9, 2023 – First digital SAT test for students in the USA, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands
For most students, geography or class level will dictate which version of the test they will take. However, U.S. students in the class of 2025 enjoy some flexibility. They have the option to either complete the traditional paper-based test by December, or embrace the new digital format in the spring. It’s worth noting that the PSAT/NSMQT will be in the new digital format in the fall, so some students may elect to take both the paper SAT and the digital PSAT.
To properly advise students in the class of 2025, it is crucial for educators to understand the changes to the test. Equipped with the right information, you can help your student to make informed decisions that are aligned with their testing strengths and preferences.
View the Digital SAT vs Paper SAT Flowchart here.
View the Digital SAT vs Paper SAT Infographic here.
Format of the Digital SAT
The digital SAT is taken on a computer in College Board’s Bluebook App. Please refer to the Technology section for more information about the testing application and approved devices.
The digital SAT is 2 hours and 14 minutes long and has 98 questions. Overall, it is 46 minutes shorter and has 56 fewer questions than the paper test, a notable reduction in both test duration and question count.
View the Digital SAT Inforaphic here.
The Digital SAT has just two sections: (1) Reading and Writing and (2) Math. Both sections are divided into two modules of equal length.
Students start with Module 1 of the Reading and Writing section, during which they have 32 minutes to answer 27 questions. Students can move between questions in Module 1, but they are not able to move onto Module 2 until the allotted time is up.
Immediately after finishing Module 1, students start Reading and Writing Module 2, during which they have another 32 minutes to answer 27 more questions. Again, students have the flexibility to navigate between the questions in Module 2, but they are not able to go back to Module 1 or move onto the Math section during this time. After Reading and Writing Module 2 is over, students have a 10-minute break.
After the break, students start Module 1 of the Math section. They have 35 minutes to answer 22 questions. Once again, students are able to respond to the questions within the current module in any order, but they are not able to move ahead to the next module or go back to a previous module. When the 35 minutes are up, students go directly to Math Module 2, where they’ll have another 35 minutes to answer 22 more questions.
| SECTION | Module | TIME | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS |
|---|---|---|
|
Reading and Writing | Module 1 |
32 minutes |
27 questions |
|
Reading and Writing | Module 2
|
32 minutes |
27 questions
|
|
Break
|
10 minutes |
----
|
|
Math | Module 1
|
35 minutes |
22 questions |
|
Math | Module 2
|
35 minutes |
22 questions |
|
TOTAL
|
2 hours and 14 minutes |
98 questions |
Each Reading and Writing module contains 25 operational questions and 2 pretest questions, and each Math module contains 20 operational questions and 2 pretest questions.
Operational questions hold weight and count towards a test taker’s score. Pretest questions (also known as experimental questions) do not impact the test taker’s score. Instead, these questions are being tested for potential use on future exams.
During the test, there won’t be any indication or distinction between operational and pretest questions. Consequently, students should approach all questions with equal attention.
Technology for the Digital SAT
Students take the digital SAT in the Bluebook App, which is College Board’s testing application.
What tools and features are available in the Bluebook App?
- Timer: Students can see how much time is left in the current module. They’ll get an alert when there are 5 minutes left. Students have the option to hide the timer until the 5-minute alert.
- Answer choice elimination: Students can eliminate the answer choices that they think are wrong.
- Flagging questions: Students can flag questions that they would like to review later.
- Question menu: Students can see which questions they’ve skipped or flagged for review, and they can jump to any question in the module.
- Highlighting and annotation: In the Reading and Writing section, students can highlight and annotate text.
- Formula sheet: In the Math section, students have access to a formula sheet.
- Calculator: In the Math section, students have access to a built-in graphing calculator.
Students can use a variety of devices for the digital SAT, including laptops, iPads, and school-managed Chromebooks. Please visit College Board’s website for the most up-to-date list of approved devices and system requirements.
Students who don’t have access to an approved device are able to borrow one from College Board. The option to borrow a device is available to both U.S. and international students who are taking the test on a standard weekend test date. Students must make the request to borrow a device during the registration process. International students who need to borrow a device must register and request a device at least 30 days before the test date to allow time for shipping. Please refer to College Board’s website for more information about borrowing a device.
Accommodations on the Digital SAT
College Board remains committed to accessibility and continues to support the same range of accommodations that have been available on the paper test, including extended time and double time. However, some of these accommodations are administered differently on the digital test. For example, students who previously qualified for a large-print test will be able to use the zoom-in functionality on their device. There will also be a new, linear paper version of the test for students with relevant accommodations.
Students need to apply for accommodations and receive approval before they can register for the SAT with accommodations. This process can take up to 7 weeks, so it’s important to start as early as possible. Please visit College Board’s website to learn more about accommodations on the digital SAT.
Digital SAT Scores
The digital SAT is scored on a 1600-point scale. Students receive a score for the Reading and Writing section, a score for the Math section, and a total score. Section scores are calculated from both modules and are translated into a number between 200 and 800. The two section scores are added together to get the total score, which is a number between 400 and 1600. Scores are available online 2-3 weeks after the test.
College Board has conducted a number of studies to link the scaled scores on the digital SAT to the scaled scores on the paper SAT, so that digital and paper scores can be used side by side as a standard metric. For example, a 1160 on the digital SAT is statistically equivalent to a 1160 on the paper SAT.
Computer Adaptive Testing
Adaptive tests leverage computer technology to tailor the difficulty of the exam to the test-taker’s level. They are designed to provide a more accurate assessment of a student’s skills and knowledge with fewer questions than a traditional linear test.
It’s important to note that there are various kinds of computer adaptive tests. The digital SAT is a section adaptive test, or more specifically, a multistage adaptive test in two stages.
In the first stage (Module 1), all test takers begin with a broad distribution of easy, medium, and hard questions, with a medium average difficulty. The questions within the module are pre-determined and are not adjusted based on the test-taker’s responses, so students can move around freely to any question within a module during the allotted time.
The test-taker’s performance in Module 1 determines the level of difficulty of Module 2, which will have either a higher or lower average question difficulty. Once again, the questions within the module are pre-determined, so students can move around within the module.
The design and scoring of the digital SAT relies on Item Response Theory (IRT), a psychometric method that provides a framework for analyzing and modeling the relationship between an individual’s ability level and their performance on a test question. It assumes that the probability of a test taker correctly answering a given question is a function of both their ability level and the difficulty level of that question.
In practical terms, IRT means that questions on the SAT are assigned different weights based on their level of difficulty. A correct answer on a difficult question will increase a test-taker’s score more than a correct answer on an easy question.
Therefore, students who perform well enough on Module 1 to take the harder Module 2 will have a higher potential score than students who take the easier Module 2.
IRT has also allowed College Board to create a significantly shorter test (46 minutes shorter and has 56 fewer questions) while maintaining a high standard of scoring accuracy. By asking fewer questions and allowing more time per question, the digital SAT relieves some of the pressures of endurance and speed that many students struggled with on the traditional, linear paper test. Consequently, it places more emphasis on mastery of content rather than on a student’s abilities to answer questions quickly and stay focused for longer periods.
The Reading and Writing Section
The entire Reading and Writing section is 64 minutes long and contains 54 multiple-choice questions.
The section is split into two modules, which are each 32 minutes long with 27 questions. Each module is organized by question type, so that questions testing similar skills are grouped together. Within each of these groups, the questions are arranged in order of increasing difficulty.
The following question types appear on each module of the Reading and Writing section:
- Craft and structure: ~ 28% of the section | 13–15 questions overall
- Words in context
- Text structure and purpose
- Cross-text connections
- Information and ideas: ~ 26% of the section | 12–14 questions overall
- Central ideas and details
- Command of evidence
- Textual
- Quantitative
- Inferences
- Standard English conventions: ~26% of the section | 11–15 questions overall
- Boundaries
- Form, structure, and sense
- Expression of ideas: ~20% of the section | 8–12 questions overall
- Rhetorical synthesis
- Transitions
Each question has its own short passage or pair of passages. The passages are between 150 and 900 characters (25 to 150 words, assuming an average word length of 6 characters). The passages cover a wide range of topics and some passages contain informational tables and graphs.
The Math Section
The entire Math section is 70 minutes long and has 44 questions. It is split into two modules, which are each 35 minutes long with 22 questions. Students will have an average of 1 minute and 35 seconds to complete each Math question.
Students can use a calculator on the entire Math section. The Bluebook App includes a built-in graphing calculator by Desmos, but students may also bring their own approved calculators. Please refer to College Board’s website for a list of approved calculators for the Digital SAT.
Students should use a calculator that they are comfortable with and complete all practice tests with the calculator they intend to use during the actual test. Nevertheless, even if your students intend to bring their own calculators, they should still acquaint themselves with the Desmos calculator, so they are prepared in case any unforeseen issues arise on the day of the test.
In each module, 75% percent of the questions are multiple-choice and 25% of the questions require student-produced responses, which means that there are a total of 33 multiple-choice questions and 11 student-produced response questions.
Approximately 30% of the Math section will be in-context questions, also known as word problems. These questions will have an average of 50 or fewer words per question.
Questions within each module will be arranged by order of difficulty with easier questions appearing towards the beginning and harder questions appearing towards the end.
The digital SAT Math section covers four broad content domains: (1) algebra, (2) advanced math, (3) problem solving and data analysis, and (4) geometry and trigonometry. Questions from each content domain appear in both modules.
The content domains are broken down into the following testing points:
- Algebra: ~ 35% of the section | 13–14 questions overall
- Linear equations in one variable
- Linear equations in two variables
- Linear functions
- Systems of two linear equations in two variables
- Linear inequalities in one or two variables
- Advanced math: ~ 35% of the section | 13–15 questions overall
- Equivalent expressions
- Nonlinear equations in one variable and systems of equations in two variables
- Nonlinear functions (such as quadratic, polynomial, exponential, absolute value, rational, radical, etc.)
- Problem solving and data analysis: ~ 15% | 5–7 questions
- Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units
- Percentages
- One-variable data: distributions and measures of center and spread
- Two-variable data: models and scatter plots
- Probability and conditional probability
- Inference from sample statistics and margin of error
- Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments
- Geometry and trigonometry: ~ 15% | 5–7 questions
- Area and volume
- Lines, angles, and triangles
- Right triangles and trigonometry
- Circles
Preparing Your Students for the Digital SAT
While the digital SAT is substantially different from the paper-based version, the core principles of test preparation remain the same. The crucial distinction is that students should practice with computer-based materials to accurately simulate test day.
Authentic, full-length practice tests should serve as the backbone of SAT preparation, because they are the best way to familiarize students with the test’s format, structure, and content. It’s important to simulate the test-day experience by taking timed practice tests in one sitting so that students can develop time management skills and build their endurance. Having a clear understanding of what to expect instills confidence and helps mitigate test-day anxiety.
Practice tests should be computer adaptive, delivering an easier or harder second module depending on the student’s performance in the first module, so that students can get used to the computer adaptive element of the digital SAT.
Practice tests are essential, but tests alone are usually not enough to result in a meaningful change in your students’ scores. Mastery of the content is also critical, especially given the adaptive element of the digital SAT.
For example, a student who excels in reading but consistently struggles with Words in Context and Standard English Conventions questions may miss out on the harder second module, which limits their opportunity to answer difficult reading questions. Because difficult questions carry more weight, their overall score potential is constrained. By focusing on improving their vocabulary and grammar skills, you can help them unlock the harder second module, where they have the chance to answer more difficult questions and earn a higher score.
Preparation Timeline
To ensure ample time for preparation, we generally recommend that students begin by taking a diagnostic practice test in the spring of their sophomore year or during the subsequent summer. Students have the opportunity to take the SAT multiple times, so it’s advisable to schedule the first test for the fall or early spring of their junior year. This approach allows for several chances to retake the test before college applications are due.
Ideally, students should aim to complete their testing before the start of their senior year. This timing allows them to devote their full attention to the college application process. However, taking the test in the fall of senior year is also a viable option.
When advising a student on an SAT preparation timeline, there are additional factors to consider. For example, juniors who are enrolled in multiple AP classes may benefit from taking their first SAT test in the fall of their junior year, so that they can concentrate on their AP exams in the spring.
Secondly, algebra and advanced math constitute 70% of the math section. With this in mind, it’s advantageous to delay taking the SAT until students have completed at least one semester of Algebra 2. By doing so, they can solidify their understanding of key mathematical concepts and maximize their performance on the math section of the SAT.
Finally, there may be additional factors in a student’s academic or personal life that impact their preparation timeline. While there are general guidelines and principles of test preparation, every student and situation is different, and there is more than one path to success.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading The Educator’s Guide to the Digital SAT. Our goal is to provide you with the information and tools needed to help your students prepare. We have full-length adaptive practice tests with immediate scoring and detailed performance analysis, as well as integrated tools for educators that allow you to administer mock tests, assign homework, monitor your students’ work, and more. We work with schools, nonprofit organizations, and tutors. If you have any additional questions about the test or our platform, please contact us.
Sara Laszlo
Sara Laszlo has nearly ten years of experience in private tutoring and test preparation, with a special focus on helping students prepare for the SAT and ACT. An opera singer by training, Sara is especially interested in exploring better ways to practice and improve skills, whether musical or test-related. She holds a B.A. in Classical Civilization from Duke University and a Certificate of Merit in Voice from the New England Conservatory of Music.
