ATLANTA — The College Board has announced the rollout of an all-new digital version of the SAT, set to debut on March 9.
Aside from the format, students will notice other differences in the test compared to other years.
"Our March SAT students are pioneers a little bit," Emmanual Tillman, an experienced SAT tutor from Triple Threat Test Prep, said.
Having prepared students for exams like the SAT and ACT since the 80s, Tillman acknowledged the continuous evolution in standardized testing and emphasized the College Board's effort to adapt to the times.
So, what are the changes to the 2024 SAT?
It's All-Digital
As mentioned, those taking the SAT in 2024 will do so on a computer; Tilman said students are required to bring their own devices on testing day, assuring that options are available for students who may not have access to a computer.
"You can work with the College Board; you can request one about a month in advance," Tilman said. "Some school districts have devices already, so you may be able to use your school device."
Decrease in Exam Duration
The test will also be shorter this time around, in previous years the College Board gave students three house and 15 minutes to compete the exam. That has been decreased to 2 hours and 14 minutes, not including breaks.
- Reading and Writing: 64-minute section with 54 questions (1 minute 11 seconds per question)
- Math: 70-minute section with 44 questions (1 minute 35 seconds per question
“Instead of worrying about reading 80 to 100 lines of a story, you're gonna read like five or 10 lines and answer a question," Tilman said.
Adaptive Testing Model
Unlike previous tests, students will progress through exam questions varying on the level of difficulty, meaning those who do well in the first module will go on to answer more challenging questions in the second and vice versa.
"If you want to get to the higher scores, you got to get to the harder questions," Tilman said.
Tools and Widgets
The new edition of the SAT also comes with tools and widgets given its digital format; Tilman noted that students might want to check out the Desmos calculator online so they know how to use it on test day.
"Understanding how to use that calculator can make some things easier for you," Tilman said. "And for students that aren't the best at math, let the calculator do the heavy lifting."
As the registration deadline for the upcoming March 9 test approaches on February 23, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new digital format through online practice tests.