The Top Questions About the Digital SAT Answered
How long is the digital SAT?
The digital SAT is 2 hours and 14 minutes (2 hours and 24 minutes with the break), and it has a total of 98 questions.
The test consists of two sections: (1) Reading and Writing and (2) Math. The Reading and Writing section is 64 minutes with 54 questions, and the Math section is 70 minutes with 44 questions.
Each section is broken up into two modules of equal length. Each Reading and Writing module is 32 minutes long with 27 questions. Each Math module is 35 minutes long with 22 questions.
There is a 10-minute break between the Reading and Writing section and the Math section. However, there is not a break between the two modules within each section.
| 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 (excluding the break) |
98 questions |
Do I need to bring my own computer and calculator on test day?
Yes, you are responsible for bringing your own computer to the testing center. You can use a variety of devices for the digital SAT, including:
- Personal laptops and iPads
- School-owned computers
- School-managed Chromebooks
Be sure to check College Board’s website for the most up-to-date list of approved devices and system requirements to make sure that the device you plan on bringing is permitted.
If you do not have access to an approved device, you can borrow one from College Board. This option is available to both U.S. and international students who are taking the digital SAT on a standard weekend test day. Please refer to College Board’s website for more information about borrowing a device.
Students may also bring their own approved calculators to use during the Math section. You can also use the Desmos graphing calculator that is built into the Bluebook testing app. If you do decide to bring your own calculator, be sure to check College Board’s list of approved calculators before test day to make sure you are bringing an approved model.
What’s a good test score on the digital SAT?
Like the paper SAT, the digital SAT is scored on a 1600-point scale. Students receive a score between 200 and 800 for each section, and then these section scores are added together to give a total score between 400 and 1600.
It’s important to consider your test scores in the context of the schools you are applying to. Some schools are more competitive than others, and some schools put more weight on test scores. If you aren’t sure whether your scores are competitive for a given school, check their website. Many colleges publish the average test scores for admitted students. For reference, the median (50th percentile) score was 1040 for all test takers in 2022.
Remember that test scores, while important, are just one part of your application. Schools consider many factors when making admissions decisions, including GPA, extracurricular activities, the application essay, and recommendations.
For a comprehensive timeline on how to tackle these factors of the college application, check out this junior year checklist.
How does scoring work on the digital SAT?
Each section of the digital SAT is divided into two modules of equal length. Module 1 has a mixture of easy, medium, and hard questions with a medium average question difficulty. Depending on your performance in Module 1, you will either see either more hard questions or more easy questions in Module 2. In other words, if you do very well in Module 1, you will see more hard questions in Module 2.
How does the module structure impact your score? Questions on the digital SAT are assigned different weights based on their level of difficulty, which means that a correct answer on a hard question increases a test-taker’s score more than a correct answer on an easy question. Unlocking the more difficult second module gives you a higher score ceiling because it gives you the opportunity to answer more hard questions.
Can I go back to previous questions?
Yes! You can go back (or skip ahead) to any question within the current module. There’s even a question menu in the testing app that makes it easy to jump to any question in the module. However, you cannot go back to questions in a previous module. Similarly, you cannot move on to the next module until the time is up, even if you finish the module early.
How do I study and increase my score on the digital SAT?
Taking tests is a skill. It’s something that you can learn how to do and improve with time and practice. Studying for the digital SAT is like studying for any other standardized test. The big difference is that it’s critical to practice on the computer because that’s how you’ll be taking the test.
Preparing for the digital SAT can be broken down into three steps:
- Take a full-length practice test: Start by taking a full-length practice test. Be sure to simulate test-day conditions as much as possible (no cellphones, TV, or other distractions).
Note: The practice test should be computer adaptive, delivering an easier or harder second module depending on your performance in the first module. - Review the results: After completing a practice test, look at your results and take note of areas that need improvement.
- Target the areas that need work: Once you’ve identified what you need to work on, do additional practice in those specific areas until you’ve solidified your skills.
After you’ve practiced the areas that need work, take another practice test to see how you’ve improved. Repeat this process until you achieve your target scores.
How many reading passages are on the digital SAT, and how long are the passages?
There are 54 questions on the digital SAT Reading and Writing Section and 54 short passages. Each reading and writing question has its own short passage (or pair of passages).
The passages are between 25 and 150 words long, and cover a wide range of topics from literature, history, social studies, humanities, and science.
What math is on the digital SAT?
Approximately 35% of the math questions fall under the “Algebra” content domain, which corresponds to the material typically covered in an Algebra I course, such as linear functions and linear inequalities.
Another 35% of the test questions are “Advanced math.” These questions draw from concepts typically covered in an Algebra II class, such as non-linear functions, including quadratic and polynomial functions.
Approximately 15% of the questions belong to the “Problem solving and data analysis” content domain, which tests a student’s ability to evaluate statistical claims and draw inferences from sample statistics, as well as concepts like ratios, rates, and probability.
The remaining 15% of the questions are about “Geometry and trigonometry.” Students can expect to see questions about area, volume, triangles, trigonometry, and circles.
When will the College Board phase out the paper SAT? And do colleges give preference to one version of the test over the other?
College Board has already phased out the paper SAT. The final paper SAT was administered in the U.S. on December 2, 2023. Moving forward, all students will take the new version of the SAT.
College Board conducted extensive statistical studies to ensure that the paper SAT and digital SAT could be used side-by-side, so colleges shouldn’t give preference to one version over the other.
Have more questions? Check out Scoir’s list of digital SAT FAQs. In their post, you’ll find the answers to the following questions:
- Is the digital SAT harder than the old SAT? (Or is the digital SAT easier?)
- Do colleges accept test scores from the digital SAT, and can I superscore?
- When can I take the digital SAT?
- Where can I take the digital SAT?
- When will I get my scores?
- Where can I find my scores, and how can I share them?
- Is the cost of the digital SAT different from the paper SAT?
Learn more about the partnership between Test Innovators and Scoir.
Originally published on July 26, 2023. Updated on December 29, 2023.
