is there an essay on the digital sat

What Is the SAT Essay?

College Board

February 28, 2024

The SAT Essay section is a lot like a typical writing assignment in which you’re asked to read and analyze a passage and then produce an essay in response to a single prompt about that passage. It gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your reading, analysis, and writing skills—which are critical to readiness for success in college and career—and the scores you’ll get back will give you insight into your strengths in these areas as well as indications of any areas that you may still need to work on.

The Essay section is only available in certain states where it’s required as part of SAT School Day administrations. If you’re going to be taking the SAT during school , ask your counselor if it will include the Essay section. If it’s included, the Essay section will come after the Reading and Writing and Math sections and will add an additional 50 minutes .

What You’ll Do

Read a passage between 650 and 750 words in length.
Explain how the author builds an argument to persuade an audience.
Support your explanation with evidence from the passage.

You won’t be asked to agree or disagree with a position on a topic or to write about your personal experience.

The Essay section shows how well you understand the passage and are able to use it as the basis for a well-written, thought-out discussion. Your score will be based on three categories.

Reading: A successful essay shows that you understood the passage, including the interplay of central ideas and important details. It also shows an effective use of textual evidence.

Analysis: A successful essay shows your understanding of how the author builds an argument by:

Examining the author’s use of evidence, reasoning, and other stylistic and persuasive techniques
Supporting and developing claims with well-chosen evidence from the passage

Writing: A successful essay is focused, organized, and precise, with an appropriate style and tone that varies sentence structure and follows the conventions of standard written English.

Learn more about how the SAT Essay is scored.

Want to practice? Log in to the Bluebook™ testing application , go to the Practice and Prepare section, and choose full-length practice test . There are 3 practice Essay tests. Once you submit your response, go to MyPractice.Collegeboard.org , where you’ll see your essay, a scoring guide and rubric so that you can score yourself, and student samples for various scores to compare your self-score with a student at the same level.

After the Test

You’ll get your Essay score the same way you’ll get your scores for the Reading and Writing and Math sections. If you choose to send your SAT scores to colleges, your Essay score will be reported along with your other section scores from that test day. Even though Score Choice™ allows you to choose which day’s scores you send to colleges, you can never send only some scores from a certain test day. For instance, you can’t choose to send Math scores but not SAT Essay scores.

Until 2021, the SAT Essay was also an optional section when taking the SAT on a weekend. That section was discontinued in 2021.

If you don’t have the opportunity to take the SAT Essay section as part of the SAT, don’t worry. There are other ways to show your writing skills as part of the work you’re already doing on your path to college. The SAT can help you stand out on college applications , as it continues to measure the writing and analytical skills that are essential to college and career readiness. And, if you want to demonstrate your writing skills even more, you can also consider taking an AP English course .

How to get ready for the digital sat on a school day.

Advanced Placement

What is AP English?

Taking the sat during school, how long does the sat take.

The Digital SAT Reading and Writing Section

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Technically, the Reading and Writing section is new to the SAT. However, in reality, it has a lot in common with Evidence-Based Reading and Writing on the old SAT. In this article, we’ll go over what exactly the digital SAT Reading and Writing section is and what question types it includes. We’ll also discuss the main ways it’s different from Evidence-Based Reading and Writing on the paper SAT. Additionally, we’ll answer some common questions about the digital SAT.

Here are all the topics we’ll cover:

Shorter Passages

Fewer Questions per Passage

Fewer and different question types, adaptive sections.

Craft and Structure
Information and Ideas
Standard English Conventions
Expression of Ideas

Digital SAT Reading and Writing: Key Takeaways

Is there writing on the digital sat, is the digital sat easier than the paper version, do all colleges accept the digital sat, what’s next.

Let’s start by reviewing the nuts and bolts of what the Reading and Writing section is.

What Is the Reading and Writing Section of the Digital SAT?

On the paper SAT, there is a Reading section and a Writing and Language section. The Reading section features passages and SAT reading comprehension questions, while the Writing and Language section features passages and questions focused on grammar, syntax, and writing skills. Together, these two sections make up the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW). Your EBRW score is one half of your composite SAT score (Math is the other half).

On the digital SAT, the Reading and Writing section replaces the two EBRW sections and contains question types from both sections. So, the digital SAT does not separate grammar-focused questions and reading comprehension-focused questions into separate sections.

The Reading and Writing section is split into two modules (as is the Math section ). However, both modules are “Reading and Writing” and contain the same question types. So, instead of receiving an EBRW score, you’ll get a “Reading and Writing” score, which will be one half of your composite SAT score. (Math is the other half.)

Note that all of the questions in the Reading and Writing section are multiple-choice with four answer choices and one correct answer.

The digital SAT features a Reading and Writing section instead of the paper SAT’s separate Reading section and Writing and Language section.

Although Reading and Writing basically combines the two EBRW sections, it is not exactly like EBRW. So, let’s discuss the key differences between the digital SAT’s Reading and Writing section and EBRW on the paper SAT.

Paper vs. Digital SAT Reading and Writing: Key Differences

The first key difference between Reading and Writing on the old, paper test and the digital SAT is that the modules are shorter and contain fewer questions on the digital version.

On the paper test, there is a 65-minute, 52-question Reading section and 35-minute, 44-question Writing and Language section. So, there are 96 EBRW questions in total.

On the digital SAT, there are two 32-minute Reading and Writing sections that each contain 27 questions. So, there are 54 Reading and Writing questions in total.

In totalSo, the digital SAT has nearly half as many Reading and Writing questions as the old, paper SAT.

There are a few other key changes to explore about the new Reading and Writing section, including:

shorter passages
fewer questions per passage
fewer and different question types
adaptive sections

Let’s discuss each of these new features. (For a complete breakdown of all the differences between the old and new SATs, check out our paper vs. digital SAT guide .)

The digital SAT Reading and Writing section is made up of two 32-minute, 27-question modules.

Shorter Passages

One major difference between the paper and digital SATs is that passages on the digital SAT are much shorter than passages on the old, paper version.

On the paper SAT, Reading passages are 500–750 words, and Writing and Language passages are 400-450 words.

On the digital SAT, Reading and Writing passages are only 25-150 words.

Note that, like the old SAT, the digital SAT features some passage pairs — two passages presented together, which you have to evaluate in relation to each other.

Along with shorter passages, there are fewer questions per passage on the digital SAT than on the paper version. In fact, there is only one question per each passage or passage pair.

On the paper SAT, there are 10-11 questions about each Reading passage and 11 questions about each Writing passage.

Now, remember, there are a total of 54 Reading and Writing questions on the digital SAT. So, with only one question per passage, you’ll be reading just over 54 different passages. (There will be slightly more than 54 passages because occasionally a question will be associated with a pair of passages.)

However, those passages will be very short. On the old SAT, students saw fewer but much longer passages that could take a few minutes each to read. On the digital SAT, each passage will be short enough that you can read it in under a minute.

And because there is only one question per passage, you won’t have to analyze each passage in numerous different ways, as you would on the paper SAT.

So, reading strategies for dealing with long passages, such as strategies related to reading speed and accuracy in locating specific details “hidden” among multiple paragraphs, won’t need to be part of your SAT Reading and Writing practice.

On the digital SAT, there is only one question per Reading and Writing passage or passage pair.

The Reading and Writing section tests basically the same skills that EBRW tests. Those skills include reading comprehension, English grammar, and vocabulary. However, the question types are somewhat pared down on the digital SAT. Also, in a couple of cases, concepts are tested in new ways.

For example, a Writing and Language question on the old SAT might ask which paragraph of a passage to place a certain sentence in. Now, passages on the digital SAT are only one paragraph long. So, that question type wouldn’t make sense.

Similarly, there aren’t any Reading and Writing questions that ask you the following:

where to move a sentence within a paragraph
whether to keep or delete a sentence
whether to add a sentence
how to most effectively combine two sentences.

The passages on the digital SAT are too short for those question types to make sense.

Also, although passages will still cover topics in the humanities, literature, history, social studies, and science, you won’t see passages that are excerpts of historical documents. (Again, short passages aren’t really fit for those.) Alongside a literature-focused passage, however, you may see answer choices that are lines of poetry, something the paper test doesn’t feature.

Additionally, the digital SAT may present a passage that contains bullet points, along with a question asking which answer choice effectively synthesizes those bullet points to achieve a certain goal. Since paper SAT passages don’t feature bullet points, such questions are new to the SAT.

On the grammar side of things, the digital SAT does not feature questions about easily confused words (ex., affect/effect ) or test your ability to notice redundant statements (ex., increasing upward ).

The Reading and Writing section features bullet points in some passages and poetry excerpts in some answer choices.

The digital SAT uses what is known as adaptive testing. Specifically, it has adaptive sections.

So, how do adaptive sections work? Well, we know that each section is broken into two modules. So, sticking with Reading and Writing, your overall performance on the first Reading and Writing module affects the difficulty level of the questions in the second Reading and Writing module. (The same goes for the two Math modules.) Note that your Reading and Writing performance does not affect the Math module difficulty, or vice versa.

Importantly, you’ll be able to skip around within a module and change your answers to previous questions in that module, just as you can on the paper test. Moreover, questions that test similar concepts and skills are grouped together within a module and arranged from easiest to hardest. So, you can be strategic about the order in which you answer questions in a module. For example, you could answer all the easy and medium questions in a module before you tackle the hardest ones.

Just keep in mind that each module is timed separately. So, you can’t go back to a previous module once your time in it runs out.

The digital SAT is section-adaptive. So, your performance on the first Reading and Writing module affects the difficulty level of the second Reading and Writing module.

To learn about how the section-adaptive model works, check out our article on adaptive testing on the digital SAT .

Now that we know what the major differences are between EBRW on the old SAT and Reading and Writing on the digital SAT, let’s dig into the question types in Reading and Writing.

What Is Included in the Reading and Writing Section of the Digital SAT?

There are four main categories of question types in the digital SAT Reading and Writing section. Collectively, these questions test everything from your knowledge of proper punctuation and syntax to your skill in analyzing data in passages.

Those four categories of questions are:

Each of these categories includes several question types. Craft and Structure and

Information and Ideas questions deal mainly with reading comprehension skills. Standard English Conventions and Expression of Ideas questions deal mainly with writing and grammar skills.

Let’s take a closer look at the question types in each category.

Approximately 13-15 of the Reading and Writing questions on the digital SAT fall into the Craft and Structure category. The question types in this category include:

Structure: questions that ask us to identify the answer choice that best describes how the passage is organized (in other words, what the author does, in what order, in the passage)
Main Purpose: questions that ask us what the author’s main purpose in writing the passage is — in other words, what the author does overall in the passage (ex. argues against something, provides an explanation for something, etc.)
Specific Purpose: questions that ask us what the function of a particular underlined portion of the passage is, for example, a particular sentence.
Words in Context: questions that ask us to either fill a blank within a passage with the most fitting word among the answer choices OR select the word among the answer choices that best conveys the meaning of an underlined word in the passage (you may need to do some vocabulary practice for these!)
Cross-Text Connections: questions that ask us to relate two paired passages to each other in some way (for example, how someone discussed in passage 1 would feel about the views of someone discussed in passage 2)

SAT Words in Context, Cross-Text Connections, Structure, Main Purpose, and Specific Purpose questions fall under the “Craft and Structure” category in Reading and Writing.

Approximately 12-14 of the Reading and Writing questions on the digital SAT fall into the Information and Ideas category. The question types in this category include:

Main Idea: questions that ask us to identify the central idea of a passage.
Detail: questions that ask us about a specific idea within a passage, typically an idea expressed in a particular sentence of the passage.
Inference: questions that ask us which statement among the answer choices most logically completes the passage. (Each answer choice presents a significant portion of what would be the final sentence of the passage.)
Command of Evidence ( Textual) : questions that ask us which answer choice most effectively “illustrates” a claim from the passage or most strongly “supports” a claim or hypothesis from the passage. These questions may accompany either literature-based or science-based passages.
Command of Evidence (Quantitative): questions that ask us to complete the passage with the statement among the answer choices that most accurately uses data from a table or graph.

SAT Command of Evidence, Main Idea, Detail, and Inference questions fall under the “Information and Ideas” category in Reading and Writing.

Approximately 11-15 of the Reading and Writing questions on the digital SAT fall into the Standard English Conventions category.

The question types in this category include grammar questions dealing with the following:

subject-verb agreement
pronoun-antecedent agreement
plural and possessive nouns
modifier placement

The question types in this category also include punctuation and sentence structure questions dealing with the following:

how to link different clauses in a sentence using proper punctuation and/or conjunctions
how to punctuate nonessential elements of a sentence (that is, extra information that is not necessary for the sentence to be complete) or items in a list
proper use of punctuation in general, including use of commas, semicolons, colons, and dashes (and periods!)

Note that for all of the questions in this category, there will be a blank in the passage that we must fill with the correct answer choice.

English grammar, punctuation, and syntax questions all fall under the “Standard English Conventions” category in Reading and Writing.

Approximately 8-12 of the Reading and Writing questions on the digital SAT fall into the Expression of Ideas category. The question types in this category include:

Transition: questions that ask us to select fromamong the answer choices the appropriate transition word(s) to fill a blank in the passage that may appear either within a sentence or between two sentences (words such as though , therefore , etc.)
Rhetorical Synthesis: questions that ask us to select the answer choice that most effectively synthesizes bulleted notes from the passage to accomplish a certain goal (for example, showing a similarity or a contrast)

SAT Rhetorical Synthesis and Transition questions fall under the “Expression of Ideas” category in Reading and Writing.

In this article, we learned that the Reading and Writing section of the digital SAT replaces Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) from the paper SAT. So, the digital SAT does not separate grammar-focused questions and reading comprehension-focused questions into separate sections, as the paper SAT does.

We also learned that the Reading and Writing section is shorter than EBRW, with a total of 54 questions split evenly into two 32-minute modules.

Additionally, the Reading and Writing section features short passages (25-150 words), with only one question per passage, and the modules are adaptive. So, your performance on the first module affects the difficulty level of the second.

Finally, there are four main categories of question types in the Reading and Writing section:

Collectively, these questions test a variety of concepts and skills, including:

knowledge of English grammar and proper punctuation
vocabulary knowledge
your ability to see the “big picture” of a passage
your ability to properly interpret information
your skill in drawing inferences
your ability to identify and analyze relationships between ideas

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Let’s answer a few common questions about the digital SAT.

There is no essay section on the digital SAT. So, you don’t have to worry about learning SAT writing strategies or doing other SAT essay preparation for the digital SAT.

That said, your SAT Reading and Writing prep will need to include practice with questions that deal with skill in effective writing. For example, to identify correct answers to some Reading and Writing questions, you’ll need to be able to recognize punctuation and syntax that convey a clear meaning and produce cohesion and coherence within a particular passage.

You also may need to do some vocabulary building to choose appropriate words in Words in Context questions.

Some students may find the digital SAT easier than the old, paper version because it is shorter overall, contains shorter reading passages, has fewer question types to master, and allows for calculator use in both Math modules.

Nevertheless, students should be aware that many (if not most) of the concepts and skills tested on the old SAT are also tested on the new, digital version.

The digital SAT is replacing the paper version of the test. So, any college that still accepts SAT scores once the transition to the digital SAT is complete would accept digital SAT scores, since there will be no paper SATs administered (with the exception of some accommodated tests ).

Of course, test score policies vary from one college to the next. So, you should research the specific schools you’re interested in to see which tests they accept.

Wondering when you can take the digital SAT? This article explains when the digital SAT will be available to students in different areas.

If you’re just getting started with your SAT prep, check out these 5 steps for success .

If you’re looking for digital SAT practice tests, download College Board’s Bluebook app to gain access to them.

About The Author

Scott Woodbury-Stewart is the founder & CEO of Target Test Prep. A passionate teacher who is deeply invested in the success of his students, Scott began his career teaching physics, chemistry, math, and biology. Since then, he has spent more than a decade helping students gain entry into the world’s top business schools, logging 10,000+ hours of GMAT, EA, GRE and SAT instruction. Scott also served as lead content developer and curriculum architect for the revolutionary courses Target Test Prep GMAT, Target Test Prep EA, Target Test Prep GRE and Target Test Prep SAT Quant.

The 2 Sections of the Digital SAT: What You Need to Know for 2024

The 2 sections of the new sat: what you need to know for 2024.

The SAT has historically been a standard component of the college admissions process.

Every year, the College Board administers seven SATs. Most students take the SAT for the first time during their junior year, sometimes earlier.

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to study for the SAT. In fact, in order to get that high score , you should.

What’s on the SAT? What content do you need to know to succeed on this college entrance exam?

Understanding the answers to these questions should be the first step of your test prep journey.

In this post, we’ll discuss the new digital format of the SAT, which will start being administered to all US students in 2024. We’ll cover timing, section structure, question types, and how the new adaptive test works.

Download PrepMaven’s DSAT Full Diagnostic

Jump to section: The 2 SAT Sections: the basics How is each section scored? How do the adaptive SAT modules work Digital SAT Section 1: What’s tested on SAT Reading and Writing? How is the SAT Reading and Writing section organized? Digital SAT Section 2: What’s tested on SAT Math? Next steps

The 2 SAT Sections: The Basics

While the old SAT had four sections, the new SAT only has two:

SAT Reading and Writing

If you’re used to the old sections, this might be a bit of a shock: all of your verbal questions are now combined into one section and score (Reading and Writing). Plus, there’s no longer a separation between Math Calculator and No-Calculator. Instead, all math questions allow you to use a calculator. For a detailed guide to what’s on the SAT Math, check out our post here!

But there’s an additional twist: each of the digital SAT sections is now divided into two “modules” of equal length. So, in total you’ll have to complete two Reading and Writing modules, and two Math modules. Don’t worry: we’ll break down exactly how these Digital SAT modules work later in this post.

Here is the exact timing and number of questions on each of the SAT modules:


Reading and Writing Module 1	32	27
Reading and Writing Module 2	32	27
Break	10	–
Math Module 1	35	22
Math Module 2	35	22

How is each section scored?

The scoring on each section of the Digital SAT is similar to that of the old paper SAT. You can earn a maximum score of 800 for the Reading and Writing Section, and a maximum score of 800 for the Math section.

The maximum possible SAT score on the new digital SAT remains 1600.

But what counts as a “good” score on the SAT? The answer really depends on what your goals are, and you can read more about putting your SAT score in context here.

Of course, getting a top score means being ready for the content that the SAT tests! Download our free, full digital SAT diagnostic here to get started.

How do the adaptive SAT modules work?

This is arguably the biggest change implemented by the new digital SAT format: it is now adaptive. What does that mean? In a nutshell, it means that the questions you see will depend on how well you’re doing on the test.

When you take the first module of each SAT section, you’ll be given a mix of easy, medium, and difficult SAT questions. The better you do, the more difficult the second module of that section will be. That’s why each section is split into two adaptive modules: the second module’s difficulty depends on your performance on the first.

What does this look like?

Let’s say you ace the first Reading and Writing module. Instead of seeing an even mix of easy, medium, and hard difficult questions on the second module, you’ll see questions that are more difficult. But let’s say that you then do very poorly on the first Math module. Then, your second Math module would consist primarily of lower-difficulty questions.

Does your performance on the Reading and Writing section affect the difficulty of the Math questions you see? No: the two sections are treated completely separately! The second module within each section is determined exclusively by your performance on the first module within that section.

Now, let’s break down what is tested on each section of the new SAT.

Digital SAT Section 1: What’s tested on SAT Reading and Writing?

The Reading and Writing section of the new digital SAT tests your knowledge of reading comprehension, English grammar, expression of ideas, and—this is a new one for the SAT—logical reasoning.

Each of those broader categories breaks down into specific, predictable question types. The main thing to remember is that you can train yourself to recognize and predict every question on the SAT Reading and Writing section .

When it comes to the “Reading” part of SAT Reading and Writing, questions break down into two overall categories: standard reading comprehension and logical reasoning. Each of these categories contains several specific question types. You can check out our comprehensive guide to the kinds of Reading questions you’ll see on SAT Reading and Writing here .

So what gets tested by the Reading portion of the SAT? You’ll be expected to do the following:

Fill in words in context
Summarize poems and short passages
Identify the meaning of specific lines within short passages
Interpret charts and graphs
Support, undermine, and complete logical arguments

For the “Writing” section, you can expect to be tested on English grammar and expression of ideas. You’ll see the same specific question types on every Digital SAT, and we have a comprehensive breakdown of every Writing question type that tests grammar here for when you’re ready to start maximizing your score.

As a broader overview, we can tell you that the SAT Writing tests the following specific concepts:

Subject Verb Agreement
Punctuation
Pronoun Antecedent Agreement
Dangling modifiers
Logical comparisons
Transitions
Redundancy
Sentence construction
Synthesizing information from bullet-pointed notes

Does it feel like a lot? It might! But the great news is we’ve got a post that covers all of the grammar rules you need to know for the new digital SAT, with examples and walkthroughs for real SAT questions!

For real examples of these questions, download our free SAT diagnostic quiz below!

Download PrepMaven’s DSAT Full Diagnostic

How is the SAT Reading and Writing section organized?

Although the Digital SAT does not separate Reading and Writing into two different sections, there is still a clear difference between the two .

In fact, the questions in the Reading and Writing section of the SAT follow a very specific order! The first half (roughly) of the section will cover Reading Comprehension. This means you’ll be presented with short passages and asked to answer one question on each.

Something really important to keep in mind is that, unlike old versions of the SAT, you will no longer have to read a long passage and answer multiple questions on it. You will only have to answer one single question per passage, and each passage will be incredibly short: no longer than a paragraph or so! Take a look at a few examples below:

After you answer the passage-based Reading Comprehension questions, you’ll come to the first of the Writing questions. These are also carefully organized. In general, you’ll answer several questions back to back on the same grammar concept, then move on to a different grammar concept.

So, for example, you might have to answer 4 questions on transition words in a row, then 3 questions on punctuation, then 3 questions on subject-verb agreement, and so on. This can be a huge advantage for you. If you use our guide on how to recognize and answer every type of SAT grammar question, you’ll be able to easily tackle each mini-set of questions, then confidently move on to the next!

Below, we’ve got a couple examples of real SAT Writing questions:

Digital SAT Section 2: What’s tested on SAT Math?

Like the SAT Reading and Writing section, the SAT Math section is split into two similar modules, with the second one adapting to your performance on the first.

The Digital SAT Math section tests all the same concepts that the old version (2023 and earlier) of the SAT used to test. That’s great news, because it means you can use all of the old practice tests to prepare!

On the SAT Math, you can use the integrated Desmos calculator for any problem. In fact, if you master that calculator tool, you can use it to game lots of the SAT Math questions, even if you don’t know how to do the questions themselves! Master the SAT’s Desmos calculator tool and you’ll have a huge advantage over the test.

Below, we’ve included a chart offering a breakdown of all SAT Math concepts, how often they’re tested, and what percentage of your total Math score they account for.

Category	Skills tested	Questions per test	Percentage
Algebra	Linear equationsSystems of linear equationsLinear word problemsLinear inequalities	13-15	~35%
Advanced Math	Quadratic expressionsNonlinear functionsEquivalent expressions	13-15	~35%
Problem-Solving and Data	Ratios and proportions PercentagesData distribution and measures of center and spreadProbability Evaluating statistical claims and experimental design	5-7	~15%
Geometry	Area and volumeLines, angles, trianglesRight triangles, trigonometryCircles	5-7	~15

While there seem to be a lot of skills tested, they are always tested in nearly the same exact ways! That means the SAT Math section is highly predictable. It’s so predictable, in fact, that we’ve actually got a post here on exactly what kind of math you can expect to see on the digital SAT–check it out and make sure you go into test day totally ready.

To see what these SAT Math questions actually look like, be sure to download our full digital SAT diagnostic worksheet below!

Next Steps: The 2 SAT Sections

The SAT is a critical component of the college admissions process. While the content of the 2 SAT Sections discussed in this post may seem familiar to students, it is often tested in unfamiliar ways.

For this reason, preparing for the SAT is vital! It takes time to learn the language of the SAT, and it takes even more time to get closer to that high score.

What can you do to begin your test prep? We strongly recommend signing up for one of our state-of-the-art SAT programs. Working with professionals as you study for the SAT is the surest way to guarantee excellent results.

When you’re ready to start prepping, learn more about our programs here , and download our free digital SAT diagnostic below.

What is SAT Superscore? Your 2024 Guide

January 3, 2024

What does it mean to superscore the SAT? What is Score Choice? We answer these questions and more in this post!

12 Free Official SAT Practice Tests (Including Digital SATs)

August 2, 2022

Find everything you need to self-administer a full-length SAT test - 8 Official SAT Practice Tests, blank answer sheets, and proctoring instructions.

What is a Good SAT Score for 2024? (And 6 Steps to Get One)

April 28, 2022

What does it mean to get a good SAT score in 2020? Our complete guide walks you through competitive scoring and steps to achieve a great score on this college entrance exam.

How is the SAT Scored? Your Complete Guide

Scoring on the SAT: What You Need to Know

December 9, 2020

What does scoring on the SAT look like? The SAT is scored on a range of 400-1600. This composite score consists of a Verbal sectional score and a Math sectional score. But much more goes into SAT scoring than most students realize!

SAT Goal Setting: The Ultimate Guide

January 15, 2020

The key to getting your dream SAT score? Preparation, preparation, preparation. With our SAT goal setting guide, you'll be starting your prep the right way.

The SAT Essay: Should You Take It?

January 2, 2020

The majority of U.S. universities and colleges do not require prospective students to submit their SAT essay scores. While the SAT Essay is technically optional, however, it may be a wise addition to competitive applications.

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Digital SAT Launches Across the Country, Completing the Transition to Digital and Providing a Simpler Testing Experience for Students and Educators

College Board launched first fully digital SAT weekend administration on March 9. Students participating in SAT School Day and PSAT 10 are also testing digitally this spring.

College Board

March 12, 2024

New York, NY – College Board this weekend launched the new, digital SAT ® to students across the United States. The digital SAT provides a shorter test, with more time per question, and an overall streamlined testing experience for students and educators. The March 9 administration completes the transition of the SAT Suite of Assessments to digital testing after the digital SAT launched internationally in March 2023, the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT ® ) and PSAT™ 8/9 in fall 2023, and the PSAT™ 10 and SAT School Day last week.

On Saturday, marking the U.S. launch of digital SAT Weekend, more than 200,000 students took the digital SAT at 3,000 test centers in 173 countries. In March, 99.8% of SAT Weekend digital test takers successfully completed their exam and submitted their results via Bluebook™, College Board’s new digital testing app. In addition, over 400,000 students took the digital SAT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 during the school day last week.

“I thought that it was an easier process than the paper SAT,” said Emily, a student in New Jersey. “It took less stamina and since there was a timer right in front of you, I thought that was very useful. I felt that it was less stressful. This format allowed me enough time to get through each section and feel confident in my answers.”

“I was very nervous leading up to this, but the experience was very easy and self-explanatory,” said Doreen Ciccarini, a paraprofessional and proctor of 17 years. “I didn’t have any issues. Digital is easier and quicker, I would 100% do it again.”

A junior named Isabel echoed those sentiments: “I found the instructions for the exam to be very easy to follow, as well as the setup. I appreciated how quickly the exam was over.”

Since March 2023, College Board has successfully administered over 300,000 digital SAT tests internationally to students in 183 countries.

84% of students and 99% of staff reported a better experience with the digital SAT Suite compared to the paper SAT Suite.
97% of students said the Bluebook testing app was easy to use.
95% of students said they felt comfortable testing on their digital device.

“We made the transition to a digital SAT in response to what students and educators were telling us. Students do a lot of their learning and testing digitally these days. Our goal was to provide a testing experience that is more relevant to today’s students and is less stressful for students to take and easier for educators to administer,” said Priscilla Rodriguez, senior vice president of College Readiness Assessments at College Board.

Key Changes for the Digital SAT

The digital SAT has key improvements from the previous paper and pencil version, including:

A shorter test, lasting just over 2 hours compared to 3 hours for the paper and pencil test.
Shorter reading passages on the Reading and Writing Section, with one question tied to each.
Calculators are allowed on the entire Math section, including the option to use the built-in graphing calculator.
Digital SAT Suite score reports will provide students in the U.S with insights on careers that are growing in their state and need skills like theirs.
A wide range of supported devices for students to use, including their own laptops and tablets or school-issued devices. If a student doesn’t have a device to take the SAT on a weekend, they can request to borrow one from College Board for use on test day.
A unique version of the test for every student, making it practically impossible to share answers and ensuring a fair testing environment.
A shorter test day for students and educators, and no more packing, shipping, or sorting test materials.

Many important features of the SAT Suite remain the same, including:

Measuring the knowledge and skills students are learning in high school and that matter most for college and career readiness.
The 1600-point scale.
Administrations in a school or a test center with a proctor present—not at home.
Test takers are still connected with over $300 million in scholarships and the College Board National Recognition Program.

“I like the new format of the exam,” said a senior named Isabella. “It was very easy to set up and install the application and my experience was much more pleasant!”

Bluebook App for Testing

Students take the digital SAT on the Bluebook app, which includes built-in tools and resources to support students during testing, including a timer, annotation, and more. Bluebook also has full-length digital practice tests, which students can use to prepare for the SAT in addition to the free Official Digital SAT Prep on Khan Academy .

“Use the app before taking the test,” said a student named Jake. “Do the practice tests that you can before the test, especially the ones through Bluebook and College Board because they are pretty similar to the real test.”

A senior named Sophie also used the online practice: “I really liked having the SAT online. I felt like there was more preparation because all the practice tests I did were online, so I felt like I was following that.”

The Bluebook app was designed with access in mind and can handle technology disruptions. If the internet disconnects or a student’s device runs out of battery during testing, they can continue or pick up where they left off without losing their work or testing time.

SAT School Day and PSAT-Related Assessments

The millions of students who take the exam during the SAT School Day administration will also take the digital version this spring. For states, districts, and schools that offer the SAT to their students as part of SAT School Day, the digital test delivers greater flexibility in deciding when, where, and how often the SAT is given. Schools have an 8-week testing window, from March 4 until April 26, when they can administer the digital SAT to their students whenever they choose. SAT School Day is an important driver of access and equity and has been shown to lead to higher college-going rates for low-income and rural students.

Students taking the digital PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 will also test during the same window throughout March and April. The PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 help students prepare for the SAT and as part of the SAT Suite of Assessments, help students and educators track students’ progress over time.

SAT’s Role in College Admissions

The SAT continues to play a vital role in a holistic admissions process. When viewed within the context of where a student lives and learns, test scores can confirm a student’s grades or demonstrate their strengths beyond what their high school grades may show. When surveyed in fall 2022 by Morning Consult, more than 80% of students said they want the option to submit test scores to colleges. This finding remains consistent whether or not students have taken the SAT and across race/ethnicity and parents’ level of education. That’s because the SAT allows students—regardless of where they go to high school—to be seen by colleges and scholarship providers. In the class of 2023, nearly 1.3 million U.S. students had SAT scores that affirmed or exceeded their high school GPA. That means their SAT scores were a point of strength on their college applications. Among those 1.3 million students, nearly 440K were African American and Latino, more than 350K were first-generation college goers, and more than 250K were from small towns and rural communities. These numbers represent nearly 80% of each of these populations and remain very stable over time.

Find more information about the new exam and the full SAT Suite at sat.org/digital .

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The Digital SAT: Frequently Asked Questions

The experts at FLEX have been fielding a lot of questions about the “digital SAT” since the College Board announced in early 2022 that it would offer the PSAT/NMSQT® and the SAT® digitally starting in 2023 and 2024. Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions as well as answers to the questions you should be asking about the “digital SAT.”

Exam Logistics

When is the SAT changing to the digital format?

March 9, 2024, for students taking the official exam in the US. International SAT administrations are already using the digital format. The PSAT will be switching to the digital format in October 2023.

How many opportunities are left to take the paper exam?

Remaining test dates in 2023 are: November 4 and December 2.

What is the structure of the digital SAT?

The digital SAT will be a shorter exam, both in the number of questions and in total time. There will be 2 Reading and Writing sections , followed by a 10-minute break, followed by 2 Math sections . The digital SAT will now be an adaptive test where students will see a harder or easier second module based on how they do on the first module in each section of the exam. See the diagram below:

How does this structure compare to the paper SAT?

On the paper SAT, there are also 4 sections. However, the English sections are split between (1) Reading Comprehension and (2) Writing and Language, with different question types in each. The math sections are split between a (3) No-Calculator section and a (4) Calculator allowed section. The 2 English modules and the 2 Math modules are now identical in terms of content, although not equally difficult since the digital SAT is now adaptive.

How much time do students get for the digital SAT?

Total exam time is now 2 hours and 14 minutes (plus a 10-minute break). The paper SAT has 3 hours of testing time, not including breaks.

What does it mean to say the digital SAT is an adaptive test?

For both the Reading and Writing and Math portions of the exam, all students will receive the same questions in the first module (question order will be randomized for each test taker). Then, based on how many questions the student answered correctly in the first module, an algorithm will generate either a harder or easier second module. For example, if a student answers every question correctly in their first module, they will receive a second module which contains a greater number of “hard” questions (and fewer “easy” questions). Note, the digital SAT is only adaptive from module to module unlike some other exams which can be adaptive from question to question.

How will students take the digital SAT?

The test will be administered through the College Board’s proprietary Bluebook™ testing application. Students will need to download this app to their personal electronic devices (or to a school device for in-school administrations). Test takers will need a Windows or Mac device, an iPad, or a school-managed Chromebook. Mobile phones may not be used to take the digital SAT. Students will still need to take the exam at a test center (or their high school for School-Day administrations) with a proctor present.

What if a student doesn’t have an eligible device?

Students can borrow a device from a family member or friend or receive a loaned device from the College Board. When registering for the SAT, students can request to borrow a device as long as this request is made at least 30 days in advance of the test date. Students who show up at the test center without an eligible device will be unable to take the exam and will be dismissed from the test center.

What about power outlets for my device?

Students are instructed to bring a fully charged device that can operate for at least 3 hours. Testing centers are not obligated to provide power outlets for test takers but are able to if it is possible to do so fairly and without disrupting other students. Students should bring their chargers but cannot expect that they will be able to use them. Testing centers are only obligated to provide power to students who receive extended time accommodations for the exam (although this access to power does not need to be continuous).

What happens if the test center or the student’s device loses internet connectivity?

The College Board says that their app is designed to be able to save a student’s progress (and freeze their timer) in case of a loss of connectivity. It remains to be seen how true this proves to be in practice.

What features are available on the College Board’s Bluebook™ application?

Students will be able to access a timer, a built-in Desmos graphing calculator, formula sheets for math, mark questions so they can return to them later, and zoom in and out.

Can students return to previous questions on the digital SAT?

Students are free to return to any question within the module that they are currently working on. They can even mark questions for later review and have the option to return to those questions when they reach the end of a module. Students will not be able to return to questions from any previous modules once the time has elapsed or they have clicked to finish that module.

Can students still bring their own calculators from home?

Yes, students can still bring their own calculators to the exam if they wish. Any calculator that is currently allowed for the paper SAT can be used for the digital SAT.

Will students still be able to use scratch paper and write things down while taking the exam?

Yes, testing centers should still have scratch paper available and students can bring in pens and pencils to write with.

Is the scoring system changing for the digital SAT?

The scoring system will remain exactly the same. Students will receive a score between 200-800 points for both the Reading/Writing and Math sections for a composite score between 400-1600. There will still be no guessing penalty, so students should answer every question.

What about superscoring? Can digital and paper SAT scores be combined for superscoring?

Whether or not applicants can superscore is a decision of the individual university, not the College Board so students should check the admissions policies of the schools that they are applying to. Generally speaking, schools that currently allow superscoring seem to be allowing students to combine paper and digital SAT scores, but applicants should confirm this for the schools to which they are applying.

Exam Content

What will be tested on the Reading and Writing section of the digital SAT?

Each question will now be accompanied by its own (shorter) reading passage between 25-150 words long. The questions will fall into one of the following four content domains.

Measures comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills and knowledge and the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, and integrate information and ideas from texts and informational graphics (tables, bar graphs, and line graphs).
Measures the comprehension, vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, and reasoning skills and knowledge needed to understand and use high-utility words and phrases in context, evaluate texts rhetorically, and make connections between topically related texts.
Measures the ability to revise texts to improve the effectiveness of written expression and to meet specific rhetorical goals.
Measures the ability to edit text to conform to core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.

How has the Reading and Writing exam content changed on the digital SAT?

The digital SAT no longer has long reading passages followed by multiple questions. Instead, each question is now self-contained with a much shorter reading excerpt with its own question. This means that students no longer have to retain lots of information from a long passage anymore.

Many of the questions still test similar concepts as before in terms of comprehension and grammar rules. There seems to be a greater emphasis on vocabulary than previously. Students will also see poems as reading passages.

What Math topics will be tested on the digital SAT?

Algebra (13-15 questions per exam)
Advanced Math (13-15 questions per exam)
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis (5-7 questions per exam)
Geometry and Trigonometry (5-7 questions per exam)

How has the Math exam content changed on the digital SAT?

There have been relatively few changes to the math section from the standpoint of content so students will still be tested on the same math topics as before. The one important difference is the availability of a Desmos graphing calculator to all students. Many questions can be solved more efficiently if students are familiar with Desmos, and this should become part of the preparation for any SAT student. Another structural difference is that Grid-In questions (aka “Student Produced Responses”) and Multiple-Choice questions will now be intermingled throughout the math sections. Previously, these were separated into separate subsections.

Will the digital SAT have an essay?

No, students will not have to write an essay on the digital SAT.

Is the exam easier or harder now?

It depends in what sense. In terms of the exam content, certain concepts/skills have been eliminated and others have been added. In terms of the test-taking experience, students should find it much more manageable. There will be less reading, and the exam will be shorter overall. In terms of the actual score, the College Board says that they have done extensive testing to calibrate scores between the digital SAT and the paper version (using student volunteers who took both exams over the past few years). In theory then, a student should receive roughly the same scaled score (out of 1600) that they would have gotten on the paper version.

What is the best way for students to prepare for the digital SAT?

Currently, students are able to download the Bluebook application from the College Board website and gain access to the digital SAT practice materials that have been released. There are currently 4 practice SAT exams and 1 practice PSAT exam available for students.

Students should be very cautious about using practice materials from 3rd party companies like Kaplan, Barron’s, Princeton Review, etc. There is very limited information available right now regarding the exact makeup of digital SAT questions and much of the material in the prep books will not necessarily be representative of what the exam questions will look like. Even Khan academy, the official partner of the College Board, doesn’t have officially sanctioned practice materials available.

What should my student be doing?

Based on our experiences from the last time the SAT underwent major changes (back in 2016), the digital SAT will likely also undergo a period of significant fluctuation, both in the types of questions that show up and in how the exam is “curved” (how a raw score gets converted into the scaled score). That is, a student may miss the same number of questions on the exam but receive a significantly different scaled score between 2 administrations. There were even cases where students missed fewer questions overall but received a lower scaled score!

Students who are particularly sensitive to this type of uncertainty can consider preparing for the ACT instead . The ACT is not changing, and FLEX has great expertise in helping students get great scores on this exam.

FLEX Recommendations

Which test should my student prepare for?

This largely depends on the class year of the student and their level of exam preparation thus far. Here are some general guidelines but these may not apply to all students in all situations:

Paper exam – students will need to submit their scores before any digital exam administration (unless they are international students)
Continue preparation for the paper SAT and take the exam by December at the latest
Start preparation for the digital SAT or
Prepare for ACT
Prepare to take the digital SAT or ACT

Standardized test requirements of colleges and universities will not be changing as a result of the shift to the digital format. If a school was test optional or test blind before, they will remain so independent of this shift. On the student end, the SAT is now a shorter and less burdensome exam to take (less time, no more long reading passages). This is good news for students who were planning on submitting an SAT score anyway.

How can FLEX help?

FLEX can help students determine if they should take the SAT, the ACT, or any standardized test at all depending on their college goals and academic abilities. For those where submitting an SAT score makes sense, our test-prep approach will be to prepare students to score highly through the hardest modules of each section, regardless of the adaptive algorithm, using examples and strategies specifically tailored to the new types of questions and tools that students will be seeing on the digital SAT.

Students at FLEX are coached by expert instructors, all of whom are top scorers in the subject areas that they teach. In addition, FLEX instructors and curriculum writers routinely sit in for standardized exams, continually updating and refining strategies based on real-time information from the test-makers.

Visit our Events page for a current schedule of events designed to address your questions and concerns about middle and high school education, and the college admission process.

To learn how FLEX’s experienced team can help your student determine their standardized testing strategy, schedule a meeting on this calendar .

Students need to stand out in the competitive admissions landscape. FLEX College Prep is a team of the best strategists in the industry and takes a holistic approach to ensure students use their pre-college years in intentional, enriching, and personally satisfying ways. Since 2001, we’ve worked with families to help students unlock their potential and find happiness, meaning, and success in college and beyond.

The Importance of SEL: Developing Skills For Life And Learning

In an ever-evolving world, the demands placed on students are greater than ever before. Academic achievements alone are no longer sufficient to guarantee success and fulfillment in life. Social Emotional

FLEX College Prep: Empowering Cupertino Students For Academic Success

In the heart of Silicon Valley, Cupertino is renowned for its exceptional educational institutions and high-achieving students. Amidst this competitive environment, FLEX College Prep stands out as a premier educational

FLEX College Prep: Helping Students Achieve Their College Dreams

FLEX College Prep stands out as a premier institution dedicated to helping students achieve their academic and college admissions goals. With a wide array of services tailored to individual needs,

from learners to impacters

Changes & Trends in UC Admissions

Last year, the University of California (UC) shattered records with a staggering 245,768 applications across its nine undergraduate campuses. As we gear up for another competitive year in 2024, it’s time to stand out from the crowd!

Join Our Exclusive Seminar at The Resort at The Groves (50 Furrow)

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The New Role of the SAT In College Admissions

How top colleges like the UCs and Ivies use SAT and personality tests to identify standout applicants.
Which colleges still require standardized tests.
Proven strategies to prepare your student for success in high school, college, and beyond.

Strategies for the Non-STEM Student

In this seminar, we will explore the diverse landscape of non-STEM majors, including humanities, arts, and social sciences, and delve into the multitude of exciting career paths they offer. Whether you’re passionate about literature, history, psychology, sociology, art, or any other non-STEM field, this webinar will provide valuable insights into how to turn your academic interests into a fulfilling career.

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Cracking the Code for UC Admissions

Last year the UC system had another record-breaking year with 245,768 applicants for its nine undergraduate colleges and we expect more of the same for 2024. Always topping the list of best colleges, each school has its own variety of degrees and specialties offered as well as different acceptance rates.

Please join our webinar to learn about what the UCs are looking for in their applicants, what type of student profiles have the most success in getting acceptances from the UCs, and how ACE can level up your profile.

Stanford University – MA in International Comparative Education
Vanderbilt University – BS in Human and Organizational Development (Education Track); BA in German Studies
International students
Students seeking admission to highly selective school
Chinese immigrant families
Social Science majors

Senior Associate Admissions Consultant

Tracy comes to FLEX with several years of experience as a college admissions consultant and career coach. She attended Vanderbilt, where she double-majored in Human and Organizational Development and German Studies. She then pursued her Master’s in International Comparative Education at Stanford. This combination of roles and achievements equips Tracy with a broad perspective on education and career readiness, enabling her to offer comprehensive guidance to students navigating the complex process of college admissions.

Tracy’s recent experience as an education consultant at UNESCO provides her with an understanding of global education trends. Her deep knowledge of the college admissions process and skill in tailoring strategic applications for students’ unique profiles are enhanced by her research into parenting strategies. Tracy is well-equipped to provide parents with advice on effective communication with their children and parenting styles that best support their academic and personal development.

In addition to her professional expertise, Tracy is fluent in English, Chinese, and German. Having grown up in Shanghai, she is also familiar with the Chinese education system, which allows her to provide tailored advice to Chinese immigrant families who have recently arrived in the U.S.

How to Build a Personalized College List

With over 5,000 colleges in the US, it is no easy task for high school students to search through the options and determine which colleges to send their applications. Not every campus, regardless of ranking, is the best fit for every student.

So, how do you select a college where your student will thrive and succeed, while also matching their college goals? Which colleges offer the majors they want to study? Which colleges align with their extracurricular interests? Based on their high school academic performance, which colleges would be safety or reach schools?

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Beyond the SAT:

The requirement of soft-skills in college admissions.

Learn how colleges like the UCs and the Ivies are now using personality rubrics and assessments instead of standardized test scores to identify desirable applicants.
Understand how colleges evaluate students to determine who will make a positive impact on their campuses.
Learn about the new soft skills requirements for K-12 and college admissions.
Find out how you can prepare your student for success in high school, college, and beyond!

Common Application Common Mistakes

Are you thinking about applying to a private or out-of-state university? In 2023, over 1.2 million students used the Common Application to apply to colleges. The Common App is an undergraduate college application that students may use to apply to more than 840 different colleges and universities in the US, Canada, China, Japan, and various European countries.

Join our seminar to learn more about the Common App and how your student can rise to the top of the applicant pool by avoiding common mistakes that could derail their application.

How to Answer UC Personal Insight Questions

Now more than ever, college essays are incredibly important in the college admission process, an opportunity to share who the student is outside of the classroom and how they can be an asset to their selected campus. The UC college essay is one of the best ways to showcase a student’s strengths beyond their academics.

A great college essay highlights a student’s personal attributes, how they are unique from their peers, and the kind of impact they can contribute to their community. In this webinar, FLEX will share example essays and show you how FLEX essay specialists guide their students to write in a way that is specific, personal, cohesive, and that aligns with what colleges are looking for in a stand-out student.

Recent Changes to College Admissions

The admissions landscape continues to evolve with technology, the recent Supreme Court decisions, and a spotlight on character all re-routing the path to college. The process is now more socially minded and less achievement-driven, but grades, course rigor, and extracurricular activities all remain vital to a strong college application. So what steps should a student take today to improve their admission odds? What are colleges looking for in a successful applicant? Join the experts at FLEX who will answer these key questions and help you navigate your way to college.

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How to Write Effective UC Admissions Essays

As admissions into the UCs have become increasingly difficult over the last few years, many of the schools in this system are considered reaches for most students. Some campuses are receiving more than 100,000 applications per cycle and with the UCs always topping the list of best colleges, each school has its own variety of degrees and specialties offered as well as different acceptance rates. It’s harder than ever for students to be accepted, so how do you stand out?

Join us at this special webinar event to hear from our experienced FLEX Admissions Consultants about what works in college applications, and the growing importance of a great college essay. Then hear about how our ACE Program can help match and enhance your UC goals!

Does Having Perfect Academics Get You Into The UCs?

A special webinar event.

Historically, students with a perfect GPA and test score get into all the UCs, but that is not the case anymore. Mid-tier UCs like UC Davis and UC Irvine have passed on students with perfect academics for students who are a better fit for their campus. What does “fit” mean for your student?

Learn why academics alone are not enough to get into all the UCs, what other factors the UCs are considering, and how ACE can support your UC goals.

Class of 2023 College Admissions Trends:

Analyzing surprising results.

This year’s application results show how colleges have continued to adapt to the changing college admissions landscape including the importance of demonstrating personality in the holistic review. How can students develop a successful college admission strategy by adding texture to their applications?

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Middle Schoolers:

Maximize your summer, why admissions officers look for personality in essays, ucla & brown admissions officers share insights.

FLEX and Admissions Officers from Brown and UCLA (former) will discuss the evolution of the holistic review in college admissions. What does this mean for the class of 2024 and beyond? College admissions are no longer simply tied to academics and test scores. The holistic review also factors in applicants’ experiences and personal characteristics as well as the perceived fit each candidate may have with a particular college campus.

In this webinar, we will cover the new personality/character index that is used in admissions and how Admissions Officers use college essays to rate each applicant against this index. How does a student hit the points that will deliver success? Join us to learn the difference between a mediocre essay and one that Admissions Officers will love to read.

Why A+ Students Don't Get 5s On AP Exams

How ap exams have changed, how colleges use scores, and how flex can help.

Did you know that AP exams are not graded on a curve? Did you know that, of the most frequently taken AP exams, none of the top 5 are STEM related? Do you know the difference between acing your Biology final and getting a 5 on the AP exam? Or how great writers can still bomb their exam for AP English Language and Composition?

In this webinar, you’ll hear from experienced AP instructors on some of the broader changes to how AP exams ask questions and award points. You’ll learn how these changes have made it more difficult for even high-achieving students to consistently do well on their AP exams. And, you’ll hear about FLEX AP Intensive classes designed to help students maximize their scores, which are increasingly important data points in the changing landscape of college admissions.

The New "Perfect Profile"

For getting into the ucs.

For fall 2023 admission, the UC system had another record-breaking year with 245,768 applicants for its nine undergraduate colleges. Always topping the list of best colleges, each school has its own variety of degrees and specialties offered as well as different acceptance rates.

Please join our seminar to learn about what the UCs are looking for in their applicants, what type of student profiles have the most success in getting acceptances from the UCs, and how ACE can level up your profile.

ACE Preview Workshop:

College essay topic - common app personal statement.

The Common App is an undergraduate college application that students may use to apply to more than 950 different colleges and universities in the US, Canada, China, Japan, and various European countries. With FLEX’s Application & College Essay (ACE) Program, students are always prepared for the latest changes in college admissions requirements including the growing importance of the college essay. A great college essay highlights a student’s personal attributes, how they are unique from their peers, and the kind of impact they can contribute in their community. Now more than ever, college essays are incredibly important in the college admission process, an opportunity to share who the student is outside of the classroom and how they can be an asset to their selected campus.

Juniors can join this in-person workshop to learn more about the Common App and how they can rise to the top of the application pool with a perfected personal statement. Students will work closely with a FLEX essay specialist to develop their own topics and to ensure that their unique voices are reflected in their essay.

While students are honing their personal statement, parents will have the opportunity to learn more about the post-pandemic College Admissions process and ask questions that are specific to their student.

UCLA vs USC

Is UCLA or USC better for your student? What are these prestigious colleges looking for in an increasingly competitive applicant pool? FLEX experts will share the winning strategies for entrance into these top-seed schools.

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Webinars for 6th - 9th Grade Students

Personality testing: the newest trend in post-pandemic college admission, prepare for success in high school, college & beyond, ace preview workshop.

Now more than ever, college essays are incredibly important in the college admission process, an opportunity to share who the student is outside of the classroom and how they can be an asset to their selected campus. The college essay is one of the best ways to showcase a student’s strengths beyond their academics.

A great college essay highlights a student’s personal attributes, how they are unique from their peers, and the kind of impact they can contribute to their community. With FLEX College Prep’s free College Essay Workshop, students will learn how FLEX essay specialists guide their students to write in a way that is specific, personal, cohesive, and that aligns with what colleges are looking for in a stand-out student.

Students work closely with their FLEX essay specialist to develop their own topics and to ensure that their unique voices are reflected in their UC or Common Application.

While students are honing their essay-writing skills, parents will have the opportunity to learn more about the post-pandemic College Admissions process and ask questions that are specific to their student.

B.A. Biology and Asian Studies – Bowdoin College
M.A. Biological Sciences – CSUEB
ACT Math and Science
AP Chemistry
AP Calculus

Akimitsu Makino

Master instructor.

Aki graduated from Bowdoin College with a B.A. in Biology and Asian Studies. Upon graduation, he gained experience in ophthalmic clinical research, where he was fortunate to co-author publications and co-invent a patent. While working in the clinic, Aki pursued a master’s degree in the biological sciences at CSU East Bay, where he completed a biotechnology certificate and was one of the few students to be granted a visiting scholar position at UCSF as part of his master’s research for one year.

Aki’s passion for helping students overcome challenges in math and science is demonstrated in his extensive tutoring experience. From supplementing a student’s school curriculum to designing a customized course; for nearly a decade, he has helped students realize their goals. In his free time, Aki enjoys learning new subjects and topics, all of which he utilizes when teaching students.

ACE Preview Essay Workshop

Why my major.

With FLEX’s Application & College Essay (ACE) Program, students are always prepared for the latest changes in college admissions requirements including the growing importance of the college essay. A great college essay highlights a student’s personal attributes, how they are unique from their peers, and the kind of impact they can contribute in their community.

In this College Essay Workshop, students will learn how to address the essay topic in a way that is specific, personal, cohesive, and that aligns with what colleges are looking for in a stand-out student.

Extracurricular Activities: Summer Planning

School may be in session now, but summer is a great opportunity for students to gain valuable experiences outside the classroom, and planning ahead is important. In recent years, research internships have become an important part of the college admission process, and your student can start building an impressive research resume as early as 9th grade.

A student’s extracurricular profile has become a significant factor in college admissions, speaking volumes to a student’s intellectual curiosity, personal excellence, and character. So how do you go about building one? Should a student display a wide variety of interests or deep interest in a single field? Do colleges care about the quantity over quality of activities? How can you distinguish yourself from other applicants? This is the time to showcase to colleges your passions and accomplishments outside of the classroom.

Join FLEX as we discuss what an extracurricular activities profile is, the relevance of extracurricular and summer activities, and how to build them seamlessly into a robust and cohesive application profile!

Changes & Trends:

Analyzing early results for the class of 2024.

Analyze early application results for the Class of 2024 with FLEX’s expert counselors! This year’s early application results give indications of how colleges have continued to adapt to the changing college admissions landscape including testing policies and a more socially-minded, less achievement-driven admissions process.

Get the statistics on FLEX’s Early Round Decisions to see what worked (and what did not) and for a chance to meet some of our counselors who supported these students in getting into their target colleges!

B.A. Psychology & B.A. Criminal Justice – University of Maryland
M.A. Legal and Forensic Psychology – UC of Irvine
SAT English
ACT English
AP Psychology

Associate Instructor

Sarah Kim graduated from the University of Maryland in College Park with a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Criminal Justice/Criminology. She currently studies at the University of California, Irvine pursuing a Master’s in Legal and Forensic Psychology. There, her research focuses on rapport and support building in interviews with adolescent victims of sex trafficking. She takes her research focus on rapport building to reach students individually in a gentle but focused manner. When not working or doing school work, she loves to read, dance, and spend time with her dog.

Sarah has been tutoring for 7 years with experience in K-12 general English as well as SAT/ACT Test Preparation. She specializes in the reading writing components of standardized tests. Her extensive background in tutoring has allowed her to be considerate of all students’ needs–whether that be young children learning how to read or high schoolers wanting to succeed on their SAT. Sarah believes that each student should be met where they are and strongly believes that every student can succeed.

B.S. Economics – Arizona State University
M.A. Educational Leadership and Administration – UC Davis
Master of Education – Arizona State University
Ph.D. Sociocultural Studies and Educational Policy – Arizona State University

Carmina Mendoza

Dr. Carmina Mendoza is an education scholar with 25 years of experience in the public education sector. Her research and teaching have focused on Spanish instruction at different levels–elementary, secondary, and higher education. Dr. Mendoza has decades of experience, both as a teacher and as a researcher of Spanish immersion programs in Arizona and California.

Dr. Mendoza is also an active adjunct professor at Santa Clara University, teaching courses at the Masters of Arts in Teaching and Credential program. In this program, Dr. Mendoza has taught graduate level courses in Spanish to students who want to add a Spanish/English bilingual authorization to their teaching credential.

Dr. Mendoza is also a published author. She is the author of the book Transnational Messages: Experiences of Chinese and Mexican Immigrants in American Schools. She has also written chapters in edited volumes and articles in peer-reviewed academic journals, including the High School Journal and Multilingual Educator (publication of the California Association for Bilingual Education).

B.A. Social Sciences, Emphasis Sociology – New York University
ACT English and Reading
AP English Language and Composition
AP European History
AP US History

Sara Delgado

Sara has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with an emphasis on sociology from New York University, and an Associates of Art in Sociology from Fullerton College. Sara’s past experiences as an educator and tutor range from Elementary to College age students. She provided peer-led supplemental instruction during her time at Fullerton College; during this supplemental instruction, she assisted students with understanding concepts and assignments in English courses taught at the school. She currently works as a long-term substitute teacher for local high schools. Sara’s main motivation to pursue a career as an educator is to support students and provide them with a fun and conducive learning experience that will set them up for future success.

B.S. Computer Game Science – UC Irvine
AP Computer Science A
Computer Science: C/C++
Computer Science: Java
Computer Science: Python
Math, Lower Level (Alg2 and Below)
Pathways – STEM Coding

Theodore (Teo) Lee

Theodore (Teo) Lee graduated from the University of California-Irvine with a B.S. in Computer Game Science. He has been tutoring computer science for the last 5 years, helping those new to the field understand and develop their computer science skills. In addition to tutoring, Teo is President of the local Association for Computing Machinery. He has led many team projects developing software, and he has won numerous prizes in the many competitions he has attended.

When teaching students, Teo likes to implement practical examples and explain concepts using visual models and diagrams. In the field of Computer Science more specifically, it is especially important to understand how things work “under the hood,” so Teo strives to equip his students with multiple ways of thinking about a problem, thereby developing their own style in navigating the various technical routes toward achieving a solution.

B.S. Business Administration in Marketing and Finance – UC Berkeley
M.S Education – CSU East Bay
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential – CSU East Bay
Single Subject Teaching Credential English, History Social Science, Science – CSU East Bay
AP Macro and Micro
ACT English Reading Science
AP Lit and Lang
AP Environmental Science

Rick attended San Francisco’s Lowell High, qualifying as a National Merit Finalist. After graduating from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, Denny spent 15 years marketing and managing tech startups that were acquired by Amazon, Microsoft, Time Warner, and others for hundreds of millions of dollars.

Seeking to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives, Rick earned an MS in Education, and seven California teaching credentials including single subject English, history and social science, and science. Since 2007, Denny has taught and tutored diverse learners in English through AP Language and AP Literature; social science through AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, and AP US History; and science through AP Environmental Science. Rick has also mentored students in individual college-level research projects.

Since 2013, Denny has helped students excel on standardized tests, especially the SAT and ACT. Rick particularly enjoys individual tutoring because he likes getting to know his students and their interests, customizing instruction to meet their needs, and contributing to their growth and success. His tutoring superpowers are listening, analysis, patience, and humor.

B.A. English, Philosophy – University of Hartford
Ph.D. English – UC Irvine
AP English Language & Composition
AP English Literature & Composition
FRMC – Humanities

Michael Mahoney

Dr. Michael Mahoney holds a PhD in English from the University of California-Irvine, where he has extensive experience teaching university courses in College Writing, English, Philosophy, Film, and History. Michael is widely recognized for his ability to engage students. He has received multiple campus-wide awards in recognition of his excellence as an instructor. In addition to his teaching, Michael’s research has also been recognized for its innovative approach to interdisciplinarity. His doctoral work has received support from endowments in fields as diverse as literary criticism, medical humanities, and science and technology studies.

Michael believes strongly in a student-centered approach to teaching, one that emphasizes active engagement with core concepts in order to achieve specific learning outcomes. His goal is to equip students with the skills to think critically, meaningfully, and independently about texts, ultimately helping them gain a sense of mastery and command over their use of language. Drawing on nearly a decade of experience teaching college writing in various disciplines, Michael also aims to help students reach their full potential in developing compelling and insightful essays.

B.S. Mathematics – Harvey Mudd College
College Math
Math (lower and upper level)

Elisha Dayag

Elisha Dayag is a PhD student in Mathematics at UC Irvine. He received his BS in Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College. For the past five years, he has taught and tutored a wide range of students and topics: everything from 6th graders to college students doing calculus and beyond.

As a tutor, Elisha feels that math instruction should be tailored to a student’s specific needs and help soothe any anxieties they may have regarding mathematics. He further believes that anyone can be proficient in and, more importantly, find joy in doing mathematics given enough practice and the right guidance.

B.A. English, Minor in European Studies – UCLA
M.A. English – CSU Long Beach
AP World History
Pathways – English & Writing

Chelsea Gibbons

Chelsea Gibbons holds a B.A. in English with a minor in European studies from UCLA and an M.A. in English from Cal State Long Beach, where she specialized in 18th century British literature. While pursuing her Master’s, Chelsea worked as a managing editor for the school’s academic journal and taught as a graduate assistant for numerous literature and history classes. Outside of the university setting, Chelsea has instructed high school students across the humanities, and specifically in the test prep environment: her teaching background includes AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP European History, AP US History, AP World History, college application essays, and standardized test prep (ACT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT).

Chelsea views the classroom as a democratic space. Her students are active participants in their own learning, guided as they are through thoughtful discussions and assignments. She strongly believes that the development of critical thinking and the promotion of a global perspective makes humanities classes crucial to every student’s education, no matter what their major or academic focus.

M.S. Physics – New York University
M.S. Applied Mathematics – CalPoly University, Pomona
M.S. Physical Chemistry – CalPoly University, Pomona
B.S. Physics – CalPoly University, Pomona
AP Calculus AB/BC
AP Physics 1
AP Physics 2
AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
AP Physics C: Mechanics
Math, Upper Level (Trig and Up)

Andres Cardenas

Principal instructor.

Andrés Cárdenas is an accomplished scientist and STEM teacher. He holds multiple Master’s degrees: one in Computational Physics from NYU, another in Applied Math from CalPoly, and one in Physical Chemistry, also from CalPoly.

After working as a researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Andrés spent 8 years teaching AP Physics at New York City high schools. His passion for science, in part, explains his love for teaching: his classroom enthusiasm is immediately visible, something his students find contagious. Andrés believes that a robust STEM education starts with a student’s sense of wonder and a desire to discover; and his curriculum work reflects an emphasis on connecting concepts with theory organically—be it in mathematics, physics, chemistry, or computer science.

How to Build Your Extracurricular Activities Profile

For stand-out college applications.

Extracurricular activities profiles play a significant role in college admissions. So how do you go about building one? Do colleges care about the quantity over quality of activities? How can you distinguish yourself from other applicants?

This is the time to showcase to colleges your passions and accomplishments outside of the classroom. Reserve your spot in our free webinar to learn what an extracurricular activities profile is, what it means to colleges, and what steps you can take to build it.

Pre-Med and BS/MD Programs - What It Takes to Get In:

Is there a doctor in the house.

Many students have aspirations to become a medical doctor but may not necessarily know the additional commitment and requirements needed to have a successful journey. Increasingly, fewer schools are offering BS/MD Programs, so what does this mean for your student?

Please join our webinar to learn more about the impact of fewer offerings of BS/MD programs and what it means to be pre-med. FLEX presenters will go over what it takes to enhance a pre-med profile, what schools still offer BS/MD programs, and if these programs are right for your student.

What Sophomores & Juniors Should Be Doing Right Now to Prepare for College

Senior year may seem like it’s far away, but if you start your college application planning now, you will reduce stress and reap the rewards of a seamless and quality college journey. In this seminar, we will share how a little foresight in specific areas will help you achieve your college goals. Topics covered include:

Did you know that public schools and private schools calculate their GPA differently? Learn how to select classes that will optimize admission to your target college. We’ll also talk about the importance of taking Honors/AP® courses, as well as college level credits in high school.
What you do outside of class both in school and off campus is an important part of your college application journey. We’ll provide strategies on how to not only best keep track of your extra-curricular activities now but also give you insights on which activities can enhance your college application.
Students should actively plan and prep for standardized tests well before their senior year. We’ll share how you can best approach your PSAT®/SAT®/ACT® and what you should start doing now to maximize your success on the target test date.

Attend this in-person seminar to learn what Sophomores and Juniors MUST know about college applications and how you can get a winning start!

Changes & Trends:

Early results for the class of 2023.

Analyze early application results for the Class of 2023 with FLEX’s expert counselors! This year’s early application results give indications of how colleges have continued to adapt to the changing college admissions landscape including testing policies and a more socially-minded, less achievement-driven admissions process.

BSC. Mechanical Engineer – University of Alexandria
A.S. Mechanical Engineering – Diablo College
B.S. Mechanical Engineering – UC Berkeley

Maikel Masoud

Michael holds a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley and another from Alexandria University in Egypt. And he is currently pursuing a Master’s in Robotics at the University of Maryland.

Michael is passionate about education. He believes that he can help make every student love Mathematics and Physics – even those who have had a hard time coping with the nuances and complexities of these fields. Michael has taught widely throughout the Bay Area. He has been an instructor and STEM tutor at Diablo Valley College, as well as working in that capacity with students in private schools in San Francisco and in Berkeley. Having served in the US Army as a Combat Medic Specialist, Michael is experienced in aiding individuals when they are under extreme stress and in need of a calming, motivating presence. Michael is generous and kind, and particularly enjoys connecting to different cultures and people of all backgrounds.

PhD Sociology – University of Southern California

Alfredo Huante

College essay instructor.

Alfredo Huante holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Southern California. He has taught several undergraduate courses, introducing students to or advancing their understanding of the social world. Alfredo has published works in academic journals and websites and has ample editing experience. Alfredo excels at helping students translate their experiences into engaging, written essays by adjusting to each student’s specific needs.

B.A. English – Stanford University

Cristina Herrera Mezgravis

Cristina graduated from Stanford University with Distinction and awards both in fiction and nonfiction for exceptional work in Creative Writing. Her application essays were published in 50 Successful Stanford Application Essays and 50 Successful University of California Application Essays.

She taught English to elementary school students while studying abroad in Paris, ran a creative writing program for high school students during her senior year at Stanford, and currently volunteers as an ESL tutor with the Palo Alto Adult School. Cristina worked for two years at an Andreessen Horowitz-backed startup, prototyping a new mobile app for teachers and students, and curating unpublished books, stories, and deleted scenes by New York Times bestselling authors.

Her experience in admissions consulting began by helping friends and family highlight the passions that set them apart as individuals and select the colleges that were a right fit for them. Students she advised were admitted to Stanford University, USC, and UC Berkeley, among others.

B.A. English – Santa Clara University
Masters of Library and Information Science – San Jose State University

Sara Fernandes

Assistant director of college essay.

Sara attended UC Berkeley and transferred to Santa Clara University after deciding she wanted the opportunity to work with faculty on research. While at Santa Clara University, she helped Professor Judy Dunbar research and edit her book The Winter’s Tale: Shakespeare In Performance . Sara then went on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science at San Jose State University and graduated in the top 1% of her class.

She has used her undergraduate and graduate education to pursue her passion of teaching research and writing to students. Sara has over five years of experience teaching and coaching, over two of which are with FLEX College Prep. At FLEX, Sara has successfully taught classes in SAT Verbal, ACT Verbal, middle school writing and English classes, college essay, and AP English Language and Composition.

She is committed to staying current with trends in test prep and college admissions as well as setting realistic goals for each student so that he or she can achieve success.

B.A. US History and Philosophy – UC Davis
M.A History – San Francisco State University

Nicholas Dawes

Nick Dawes earned his BA in US History with a philosophy minor from the University of California, Davis, and an MA in History with a concentration in cross-cultural contact from San Francisco State University. While Nick was growing up, many in his family were teachers and school administrators across the South Bay, including Fremont Union High School District, so he is intimately familiar with the academic landscape of the Bay Area.

While in graduate school, he lectured in undergraduate courses, acted as an associate editor of an academic journal, and published his own original work. After graduation, Nick worked in standardized test prep, AP subject tutoring, and he most recently taught at a Bay Area private school for five years. He believes that students learn and work best when they have a productive relationship with their instructor.

In his essay coaching, he works to help students dig deeper into who they are as individuals and what motivates them in order to find the compelling, unique stories in each student. Nick has worked with students on their college admissions essays for the last 9 years, helping students gain admission to top UCs and other prestigious top 20 public and private institutions across the country.

Doctoral study in Human Development and
Psychology – Harvard University
M.A. Applied Child Development – Tufts University
B.A. Anthropology – Boston University

Martha Crowe

Master consultant & instructor.

Martha Crowe has worked with, for, and on behalf of youth for three decades, as a social worker, child advocate, nonprofit director, consultant, and for the past eight years, as a professor, researcher, and medical writer at SDSU. Helping people tell their stories has been at the heart of each phase of her career. Martha loves getting to know young people — to hear about what they care about, what they are good at, and what their dreams are for their futures. And magic can happen when they trust her enough to help them tell their stories in an authentic and compelling way that both honors who they are and convinces admissions counselors to accept them.

Martha believes in taking a personalized approach with each student, tailoring her time with them based on their individual writing skills and learning needs. Her approach is always based on genuine care and concern combined with concrete action items and deadlines. For the past four years, Martha has helped students get into a variety of colleges, as well as honors programs within those colleges, from tiny to huge, rural to urban, California to the East Coast: UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, UC Davis, Northeastern, UMass Amherst, University of Michigan, Syracuse, Macalester, Santa Clara University, Pepperdine, University of San Diego, Loyola Marymount, Cal Lutheran, Cal Arts, Claremont McKenna Colleges, University of Minnesota, University of Illinois-Urbana Champagne, among others.

Martha grew up in Kansas City and joyfully left for Boston after high school, attending Boston University, Tufts, and Harvard for undergraduate and graduate school. She moved to SoCal in 2004 to spend time with her brother after graduation, and like so many others, forgot to leave. Most importantly, she’s a mom to three kids, who are, at the time of this writing, 18, 16, and 12, and an auntie to 58 nieces and nephews (true story) and too many great nieces and nephews to count. In her spare time, Martha volunteers with High Tech High, Miracle League, and Meals on Wheels, is an avid reader, and loves hanging out with her kids.

B.S. Mathematics – UCSD
M.S. Psychology – King’s College London (In Progress)

Helena Chen

Helena is a Masters student in Psychology with extensive experience in the education sector, where she has worked as a teacher, consultant and student advocate. She started tutoring students in high school and supported herself in college as an SAT instructor. With a mathematics background but still very much interested in pedagogy and mentorship, Helena decided to leverage her analytical mindset and ability to problem-solve by continuing to work in college admissions consulting–advising high school students and their families on the complex college admissions process. Through this work, she continued her passion for teaching others how to write and hone their narrative voice, which brought her to FLEX as a college essay instructor.

B.A. English/Creative Writing; Minor: Music Industry and Cinematic Arts – University of Southern California

Gabriel Block

Gabriel graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California with a BA in English/Creative Writing. He honed his writing skills through writing-intensive programs at USC and the University of Melbourne in Australia. After graduating, he spent four years in the music industry working for Sony Music Publishing, where he engaged in daily writing assignments and excelled at working with others and building trusting relationships. Gabriel has years of teaching experience; he brings a warm energy and first hand expertise in writing successful college essays. In the classroom, Gabriel values trust and joy. With a genuine interest in others, he builds trust through keen listening and clear and open communication, and asks for the same, in return. By having fun with the material and leading with positive reinforcement, he brings his best to the classroom and gets the best from his students. Most importantly, Gabriel believes in pursuing what you love. He can’t wait to learn what makes you who you are and to help you convey your authentic self to your dream school.

Northern California Info Banks September 17th

An Inside Look at Flex College Admissions

UC Irvine – MA in Art History
UC Irvine – BA in Art History with a minor in English
English (native proficiency)
Korean (conversational)

Associate Consultant & College Essay Instructor

Since her days as an undergraduate, Jaimie has had an insider’s perspective of the college admissions process at the University of California system. She has worked as a Campus Representative in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and as an Academic Advisor in the School of Humanities at UC Irvine, where she gained invaluable insight into the admissions and counseling process. Because of these experiences, Jaimie understands the importance of fit when selecting and applying to colleges. Additionally, she has been able to work with a diverse group of students, including international students and first-generation students.

With all of her students, Jaimie strives to help them gain entrance to a college or university that will not only set them up for career success, but will also help them find joy in learning. She hopes she can help her students feel empowered in their own skills and abilities.

Jaimie is also a FLEX College Essay Specialist, which allows her to bring out her students’ most authentic and compelling selves. She has a proven track record in producing high-quality storytelling with her students and finds that writing is a necessary strength for any major.

In terms of admissions, Jaimie has worked with students who have been granted admission to John Hopkins, UC San Diego, and UC Irvine.

During her free time, Jaimie volunteers for an Asian American art collective. She enjoys reading, writing, and talking about pop culture.

B.A. Computer Science and Linguistics at UC Berkeley

Dickson Tsai

Dickson Tsai graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in Computer Science and Linguistics, and he is currently a software engineer. While at Berkeley, he worked as a teaching assistant for numerous computer science courses. In addition to teaching undergraduates, he also tutored high school students online in AP Computer Science and on the SAT, reaching the Top 10 in “Super Helpful” ratings at a top online education service platform.

Dickson cares most about cultivating a growth mindset in students, since an internal desire to improve leads to a stronger, healthier motivation than any external reward. He emphasizes a mastery of fundamentals through highly interactive activities like drawing program visualizations for AP Computer Science.

Through this and other activities, Dickson works to accurately assess his students’ understanding and provide timely, actionable feedback. That way, students can gain the confidence to reason on their own from first principles.

B.A. Creative Writing – SFSU
English Enrichment
College Essay

Ashley Rodriguez

Ashley attended San Francisco State University where she received her BA in Creative Writing with an emphasis in Poetry. As an avid writer, Ashley developed an interest in poetry at a very young age, after immersing herself in the collections of Edgar Allen Poe and William Shakespeare. Throughout her college experience, Ashley participated in numerous workshops where she was able to sharpen her skills in playwriting, poetry, short stories, novels, and essays. She worked as an Editor for Transfer Magazine, SF State’s literary publication, where she read and edited hundreds of submissions and selected the best pieces to be published. After college, Ashley worked as an Editor for an appraisal firm, interned as a writer for a travel magazine, and became the lead writer for a video game startup, here in the Silicon Valley.

Her passion for writing developed into a drive to educate youth on the English language. From Creative Writing to grammar and vocabulary, Ashley enjoys helping students hone their writing skills and prepare them for college. For over 5 years with FLEX, she has tutored students in essay writing for college and graduate school applications, with a focus on Architecture, History, Interior Design, Art, STEM, Social Sciences, and more! Ashley is a taskmaster who ensures her students complete coherent, authentic, and strategic essays well before application deadlines.

B.S. Mathematics – Stanford University
M.S. Mathematics – San Jose State University
Ph.D. Mathematics – UC Santa Barbara
SAT I & II Math
AP Calculus AB and BC
Computer Science (Java, C++, & Python)

Matt Lazar specializes in mathematics, including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Discrete Mathematics. He is also familiar with higher level mathematics including abstract algebra, complex analysis, real analysis, differential geometry, differential topology, and point set topology. In addition, he has experience in editing math textbooks. Matt Lazar is capable of teaching introductory computer science languages, including the languages of C++, Java, and Python. Within the area of computer science, Dr. Lazar specializes in two dimensional and three-dimensional computer graphics.

At FLEX College Prep, Dr. Lazar would like to transfer his skills in mathematics and computer science to his students, so that his students can become successful in their education and their careers. Matt’s exceptional teaching ability is also shown in his AP track record, where the average AP Calc BC score of his students is 4.9, with 90% of his students earning 5s. His passion for math has enabled students across the ability spectrum to achieve their Calculus learning goals.

How the SAT Is Structured

The digital SAT is composed of two sections: Reading and Writing and Math. Students have 64 minutes to complete the Reading and Writing section and 70 minutes to complete the Math section for a total of 2 hours and 14 minutes.

Each section is divided into 2 equal length modules, and there is a 10-minute break between the Reading and Writing section and the Math section. The first module of each section contains a broad mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. Based on how students perform on the first module, the second module of questions will either be more difficult or less difficult.

Compared to the ACT ® , the SAT provides 68% more time per question:

Component	Time Allotted (minutes)	Number of Questions/Tasks
	64 (two 32-minute modules)	54
	70 (two 35-minute modules)	44
	134	98

Most of the questions are multiple choice, though some of the math questions ask you to enter the answer rather than select it.

On all questions, there's no penalty for guessing: if you're not sure of the answer, it's better to guess than leave the response blank.

Digital SAT – Everything you need to know

Author: Litera Centre
Updated: January 11, 2023
Language: English

Globalization is at its zenith in the current times. Nearly 30 lakh aspirants across the globe attempt the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) every year at various test centers in more than 170 countries to study in various national and international institutions. SAT is conducted at least five times every year in the months of March, May, August, October, and December for different groups of students whether international or belonging to US schools.

SAT is a comprehensive test globally accepted by colleges and universities for admission into various bachelor or undergraduate study programs across the world. It is conducted for a full score of 1600 of which a score range of 1200-1600 opens the aspirants to a plethora of admission and scholarship opportunities worldwide.

The test hitherto has been a three-hour long PBT or pen & paper-based test. But the College Board of the United States has come up with a transition to the digital mode called the Digital SAT . This transition will be effective from 2023 at all the international test centers and 2024 at all the US schools. The recent SAT conducted on 3 December 2022 was the last ever pen-paper version of the test.

According to the College Board, the new Digital SAT has been introduced to solemnize the test and make it the best possible option for students. Let’s dive into the intricacies of the new SAT.

1. Digital SAT:

Digital SAT is the newly transitioned digital version of the existing Scholastic Assessment Test popularly known as SAT. This will be conducted digitally, meaning online on an electronic device such as a laptop or a tablet.

Students are supposed to take the test on the Digital SAT Suite Application administered by the College Board’s digital testing application. But that doesn’t imply the test can be taken anywhere. The candidates should take the test at a test center where they can carry their devices and will be guided to download the testing application for the assessment, or the candidates can download the same on their own.

The Digital SAT will be first made available for international students in the spring of 2023 and then to US students in the spring of 2024. If the international students missed the 2022 SAT on 3 December, which was the last pen-paper-based test, their only option is the next Digital SAT of March 2023, which will be the first-ever digital test.

2. SAT Vs DSAT:

The existing version of SAT which is a pen-paper test is an exhaustive version of SAT with separate Reading & Writing Language Sections and Math, aimed to assess the skills and knowledge of the aspirants for their required course of study and career.

It takes place for three hours for a full score of 1600. The digital transition of SAT is called Digital SAT or DSAT. In contrast to the exhaustive nature of the current SAT, DSAT will be an adaptive version aimed at optimisation of the candidate’s scoring accordingly.

Similarities:

Both versions of assessments are divided into two sections each of which has two modules adaptive to the candidate’s performance.
They both aim at the evaluation of the candidate’s skills and readiness.
The test is for a total score of 1600.
The test has to be taken at a scheduled test center.
Practice materials free of cost are available for both modes of assessment.
Their validity is similar for both course admission as well as for scholarships.

SAT Vs DSAT(Differences):

Following is the overview of major changes from SAT to DSAT:


	Written	Online/Digital
	Exhaustive	Adaptive
	3 hours 50 min with essay (3 hours without essay)	2 hours 14 minutes
	4+1(Essay) sections: 1. SAT Reading 2. SAT Math (no calculator) 3. SAT Math (calculator) 4. SAT Writing and Language) 5. SAT Essay writing (optional)	Two sections each divided into 2 modules: 1. SAT Reading and Writing section 2. Math
	61-62 seconds	1.15 minutes
	2-4 Weeks	Few days

3. The New SAT:

The conventional SAT had 4+1 sections with an optional Essay writing section, each section separately timed and assessed.

The breakdown is as follows:

SAT Reading (65 questions – 65 minutes)
SAT Math (no calculator) (20 questions – 25 minutes)
SAT Math (calculator) (38 questions – 55 minutes)
SAT Writing and Language (44 questions – 35 minutes)
SAT Essay Writing (optional) (1 question – 50 minutes)

The Digital SAT has both Reading and Writing sections combined into one and a separate Math section. Both areas have 2 modules each adaptive and separately timed. In the Reading and Writing Sections earlier, a specific passage format was followed in which one long passage and multiple questions were given to answer comprehending the same.

Now, each question will have 1 or 2 short passages or texts specific to the question. So, a wide spectrum of contexts and genres could be covered and assessed.

DSAT follows an adaptive model i.e., each module has 3 levels – easy, medium, and hard. The level of Module 2 depends on the candidate’s performance in Module 1.

If Module 1 has more correct responses, Module 2 will be a harder one but the scoring range will be higher.
If Module 2 has lesser correct responses, Module 2 will be an easier one but the scoring range will be lower.

SAT Reading and Writing Section : 2 Modules – 64 minutes

Module 1: 20 operational & 2 pre-test questions – 32 minutes
Module 2: 20 operational & 2 pre-test questions – 35 minutes

SAT Math : 2 Modules – 70 minutes

Module 1: 20 operational & 2 pre-test questions – 35 minutes

4. What’s New?

While the traditional pen-paper SAT has its own merits, the new DSAT has scores of interesting elements facilitated by technology. Some of them are:

The first feature is the reduced exam time which earlier was over 3 hours (50 minutes more with essay) down to just 2 hours 14 minutes now.
The test is taken digitally on a wide range of devices like laptops and tablets.
The Digital SAT Suite has a separately timed sections feature which helps the candidates keep an eye on the timer and pace accordingly.
SAT has two Math sections, one no-calculator section and one allowing calculator use. DSAT moves away from the no-calculator attribute. The DSAT suite application has an in-built Desmos Graphing Calculator to facilitate the working of arithmetic operations.
Various topics and areas are covered in the passages or texts which offer a personally relatable and interesting view similar to the ones of one’s school or college examinations.
The application displays only one question at a time to fully focus on one thing at a time.
The number of sections has been reduced to only 2 equally-lengthed and separately timed ones with a 10-minute break in between.
Increased average time per question. From just 60-62 seconds in the case of SAT to 75 seconds in Digital SAT.
It is based on a multi-stage adaptive model in which the performance is assessed for the initial module and the following one whether an easier or a harder one is accommodated accordingly. [ Refer to DSAT in 3. The New SAT]
The application is equipped in such a manner that it is made tolerant of minor interruptions such as a momentary power cut, internet buffering, device battery run-out, and other minor network issues.
Testing time loss is taken care of. The DSAT suite application survives the cases of battery drain or a momentary power off etc in the case which, one has to only plug in an adapter or a charger to the device and resume immediately. It autosaves the responses and allows the resume of the test without losing much testing time.
Options such as mark for review and view reference sheet are available.
One can even highlight, annotate and make a note whenever and wherever required.
Digital SAT greatly subtracts the hassle of printing, shipping, packing-unpacking, and distribution of test materials to test centers.
It lowers the admin time including the time for pre and post-test activities in case of a pen-paper test.
DSAT amplifies the feasibility and flexibility of taking the test.
Delivers faster results than the traditional SAT which is 2-3 weeks whereas DSAT results can be accessed in only a few days.
The digital SAT is flexible, more secure and easier. It nullifies the probability of copying or malpractice during the test making it more reliable.

5. Litera Center SAT:

Litera Center is a globally renowned Ed-tech platform catering to the educational needs of students of grades 6-12 of IB and IGCSE curriculums, AS & A level classes, SAT tuitions and guidance to the students in fulfilling their academic aspirations.

It is a student-friendly, reliable and affordable online tuition platform for students. Litera Center offers complete and comprehensive SAT classes and guidance to aspirants. Click here to get complete information about SAT tuition and guidance from Litera Center.

International students of the 2023 class aspiring for SAT will be the first ones to take the Digital SAT or DSAT in the spring of 2023 i.e., in March 2023 and they will not be able to go for pen-paper SAT again since the College Board has decided to make SAT completely digital 2023 onwards.

While the conventional SAT for international students is a missed opportunity, the students of US schools can attempt the pen-paper SAT in 2023 while they still can since SAT will go entirely digital across the world notwithstanding whether a US school or international student from 2024 onward.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ )

Does the digital sat have an essay.

No, the Digital SAT (dSAT) does not have an essay section. The essay section was optional in the traditional pen-and-paper SAT, but it was removed in the digital format transition. The dSAT evaluates skills in Reading, Writing, and Math content, but no essay component exists.

What is DSAT vs SAT?

The Digital SAT (DSAT) is the digital version of the SAT exam. It is administered on computers or other digital devices like laptops and tablets. The DSAT has several features facilitated by technology, including reduced exam time and separately timed sections. It is designed to provide students with a more efficient and streamlined testing experience. On the other hand, the SAT refers to the traditional pen-and-paper version of the exam. It consists of sections in Reading, Writing, and Math, with an optional essay section. The SAT has been administered in this format for many years before the introduction of the DSAT

Is there an essay on the Digital SAT ?

No, the Digital SAT does not include an essay section. The essay section was removed from the linear SAT in 2021 and is not part of the digital exam version. The Digital SAT consists of combined Reading and Writing sections and a separate Math section, all taken digitally on devices like laptops and tablets.

What is the DSAT?

The DSAT stands for Digital SAT, the same as the DSAT mentioned earlier. The digital version of the SAT exam is taken on a computer or other digital devices. The DSAT retains the same content areas as the traditional SAT, including Reading, Writing, and Math, but it does not include an essay section. The DSAT offers features such as reduced exam time and separately timed sections to enhance the testing experience for students.

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5 Most Important Changes You Need To Know About The Digital SAT

Table of Contents

1 Change #1: The test is now online
2 Change #2: The test is now adaptive
3 Change #3: The test time is much shorter
4 Change #4: The question format has changed
5 Change #5: There will be more opportunities to take the test
6 Is Prep Zone ready for the Digital SAT?
7 Register For A Trial Class Today!

As of 2023, the SAT will be delivered digitally for international students, while the paper-based SAT is still available to students from the U.S. until the official transition in 2024.

Due to this digital transition, the test itself has undergone some significant changes that might affect your test preparation process. Here are the top 5 significant changes in our opinion:

Change #1: The test is now online

Change #2: the test is now adaptive.

Reading and Writing Section	Math Section
Two-stage adaptive test design: one Reading and Writing section administered via two separately timed modules (Module 1 and Module 2)	Two-stage adaptive test design: one Math section administered via two separately timed modules (Module 1 and Module 2)

Module 1: Students are given a broad mix of easy, medium, and hard questions.
Module 2 : Students are given a targeted mix of questions of varying difficulties based on their performance in Module 1.

Since the digital SAT will be two-stage adaptive, your performance on Module 1 of each section will determine the difficulty of the questions on Module 2 of that section.You get an easier Module 2 if your score in the Module 1 is low, and a higher difficulty Module 2 if your score in the Module 1 is high.

Change #3: The test time is much shorter

Reading and Writing section will be shorter. The digital SAT will feature considerably shorter reading passages that reflect a broader range of topics.
Math section will be shorter. There will also be less wordy questions featured in the Math section.

In conclusion, you will have more time on average to answer each question. This does not mean the test is now easier, however.

	Digital SAT	Paper-based SAT
	54 questions, 64 minutes ~ 71 seconds/question	96 questions, 100 minutes ~ 75 seconds/reading question ~ 48 seconds/writing question
	44 questions, 70 minutes ~ 95 seconds/question	58 questions, 80 minutes ~ 75 seconds/no-calculator question ~ 87 seconds/calculator question

Change #4: The question format has changed

For the digital SAT, there is only one Reading and Writing section. The verbal section is no longer separated into two (1) the Reading Test, (2) the Writing and Language Test.

Additionally, from the sample question pool, we can see the following characteristics from the new question format:

Many shorter passages: The new verbal questions tend to have more shorter passages instead of long passages of the old SAT. However, these passages till maintaining the same level of rigor in terms of text complexity and grounding in academic disciplines
Less questions associated with the same passage: A single question is associated with each passage (or passage pair) instead of having several questions associated with a small number of long passages.
Wider range of topics : the range of topics is now much wider than before.

For the quantitative section, there is only one Math section replacing the separately timed no-calculator and calculator allowed portions of the paper-based SAT.

Additionally, calculators are allowed throughout the Math section, as provided by the test-taking app. Lastly, the average length of in-context questions (“word problems”) has been reduced.

Digital SAT	Paper-based SAT
54 multiple-choice questions, each includes a very short passage (passages may contain informational graphics) – 54 short passages, 1 question per passage	5 passages with 52 questions 4 passages with 44 questions
Calculator allowed throughout 33 multiple-choice questions + 11 student-produced response questions	15 multiple-choice questions + 5 student-produced response questions 30 multiple-choice questions + 8 student-produced response questions

Change #5: There will be more opportunities to take the test

The SAT is now available to international students seven times a year instead of five . This gives you more opportunity to identify and address areas for improvement and to achieve your ideal score.

Is Prep Zone ready for the Digital SAT?

Prep Zone Academy’s SAT courses are fully updated to help you prepare for the digital SAT. Our academic portal has also been updated to provide digital SAT practice tests, similar to CollegeBoard’s testing solution.

Get in touch with us if you have questions about the SAT or anything else related to college preparation!

Related: Complete Guide To The SAT – Updated for the Digital SAT (2023)

Register For A Trial Class Today!

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SAT Changes for 2024: Guide to the Digital SAT

February 12, 2024

Starting in 2024, the famous three-hour, pencil-and-paper, bubble-filling, 1600-point test that has been a gateway to college for decades will now be replaced by a shiny, new, digital version. That’s right: the SAT will no longer be administered in a physical format, and test takers from 2024 onward will now take the digital version. While nearly every college and university in the United States decided to make the SAT optional during the pandemic, millions of students still took the test. The College Board—the company that administers the SAT—decided to take advantage of the shifting educational landscape to pilot a digital version of the exam. The digital version was so successful that the College Board decided to institute those changes to the exam. Not only will the SAT now be taken digitally, there are a slew of other changes that have come on board.

SAT Score Calculator – 2024

Use our accurate and up-to-date SAT Score Calculator as your practice for the exam:

SAT Score Calculator (Digital)

Additional Changes in the Digital SAT

The digital SAT is shorter: about two hours instead of three, with more time per question
Reading passages will be shorter with just one question tied to each passage
Reading passages will reflect a wider range of topics, including more of what students will read in college
Calculators will be allowed on the entire Math section
Scores will be returned in days, not weeks
New digital SAT Suite score reports will link students to information about community colleges, vocational training, and career options

You will be able to use your own laptops or desktop computers to take the exam. Alternatively, you can use one provided by your school. If you can’t access a computer to take the SAT for any reason, the College Board will provide a device to the student. The test has also been engineered so that you won’t lose progress on the exam if you somehow lose internet connectivity or if your power suddenly goes out.

Dates and Deadlines

March digital sat .

Friday, February 23, 2024 is the Registration Deadline for the March Digital SAT.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024 is the Late Registration Deadline for the March Digital SAT.

Saturday, March 9, 2024 is the test day for the March Digital SAT.

Changes in Digital SAT (Continued)

May digital sat .

Friday, April 19, 2024 is the Registration Deadline for the May Digital SAT.

Tuesday, April 23, 2024 is the Late Registration Deadline for the May Digital SAT.

Saturday, May 4, 2024 is the test day for the May Digital SAT.

June Digital SAT

Thursday, May 16, 2024 is the Registration Deadline for the June Digital SAT.

Tuesday, May 21, 2024 is the Late Registration Deadline for the June Digital SAT.

Saturday, June 1, 2024 is the test day for the June Digital SAT.

Anticipated test days for the rest of 2024 are as follows:

August 24, 2024
October 5, 2024
November 2, 2024
December 7, 2024

A Note About Devices

If you need to request and use a device from the College Board, you’ll need to formally make the request 30 days before the test day. Anyone who needs to borrow a device will be prompted to make the request for the device when they register for the test. This is before the Registration Deadline for the Digital SAT dates above. In that way, if you might need to borrow a device, you should plan far in advance. This will ensure that you are able to make a request. If you do need to borrow a device, you can find out more information on how to do so on the College Board’s website .

According to the College Board, the rules for devices are as follows:

“You can take the digital SAT with any personal or school-managed Windows laptop or tablet, personal or school-managed Mac laptop or iPad, or school-managed Chromebook (personal Chromebooks aren’t permitted).

If you don’t have a device, we recommend you borrow one from your school, a family member, or a friend, so you can download the testing application and get familiar with the device.”

The College Board also provides a site to outline the digital testing technical requirements , which you should definitely check out before test day arrives.

“A Lot Less Stressful”

As the SAT goes digital, it’s obvious that some of the things about the pencil-and-paper version of the test will go by the wayside.

Take it from former 11th grader Natalia Cossio, who participated in the College Board’s pilot of the digital SAT.

About the exam, Cossio said, “It felt a lot less stressful, and a whole lot quicker than I thought it’d be. The shorter passages helped me concentrate more on what the question wanted me to do. Plus, you don’t have to remember to bring a calculator or a pencil.”

While Cossio’s comment is endearing, the College Board does recommend that you bring a pen or pencil. Your testing site will provide scratch paper, and you’re allowed to solve problems and write notes to help you process your answers while you take the test.

Additionally, make things easier on yourself by checking out our list of the twenty SAT grammar rules that will help you score higher on the exam.

What to Bring on Test Day: The College Board-Approved Checklist

Must Haves:

Be sure to bring a power cord and/or a portable charger
The College Board does not guarantee that you will have access to an outlet during the SAT
Further, your computer should be able to hold a charge for 3-4 hours
You need to download the digital SAT app and complete the setup before test day
Make sure you plan ahead and leave time for troubleshooting
A pen or pencil
The digital SAT app has a graphing calculator built in, but you can bring your own external calculator if you want, too
An external mouse, if you use one
An external keyboard, if you use one
External keyboards can be used only with tablets, not with laptops
Also, if you’re homeschooled, an approved photo ID
If you’ll be testing at a school that’s different from the one you usually attend, an approved photo ID

Nice to Have:

A watch without an alarm
Those batteries will have to be tucked away when you’re taking the test
You’ll have to ask permission to access extra batteries
A bag or a backpack
You can eat and drink during the break
If you have specific allergies that require this kind of medication, you don’t need to have an accommodation
The EpiPen/auto-injector needs to be in a clear bag and kept under your desk during the test

Practice and Preparation Tips and Tricks

The College Board suggests a whole timeline for you to prepare and practice for the digital SAT. And the new digital format allows you to take practice tests more easily on your own device.

So, how should you prepare?

Go to the College Board’s website and download the Bluebook app , which you’ll also need on test day. If you’re going to take the digital SAT, there’s no sense in waiting. So download the app now and start getting familiar with how it works.
Two weeks before test day, take a full-length practice test in the Bluebook app.
Five days before test day, complete your exam setup and get your admission ticket.
On test day, arrive with everything you need and want from the lists above. Check your admission ticket, and take the digital SAT.

Expanding Access

One of the things that the digital SAT can allow for is the potential for increased access to the exam. This could mean that more diverse groups of students can take the exam. Ultimately, this makes accessing a college education easier for traditionally underserved groups of people.

Educators who participated in the College Board’s digital SAT pilot said that it was as easy or easier to administer than the paper exam. This ease could allow school districts to host more exam dates and times to cater to student needs, rather than a simple fixed date and time for the proctored paper exam, according to the College Board.

The College Board also points to independent research that shows that students are much more likely to take the SAT if it is offered in school, for free, during regular school hours. Additionally, in states where students are required to take a college entrance exam (and are provided the means to do so) exam completion rates jump to 99 percent.

“It’s encouraging to see the positive feedback from students and educators who participated in the pilots for the digital SAT. The changes to the test are timely and clearly centered around improving the student experience,” said Ronné Turner, Vice Provost for Admissions & Financial Aid at Washington University in St. Louis. “I’m pleased that the greater flexibility in administering the test will expand access to SAT School Day, which research shows increases college-going rates for low-income students.”

Additionally, if you feel like you want to beef up your study skills, check out our other blog posts about the best SAT and ACT tutors .

If you want to quell your nerves about your score, check out our breakdown of the digital SAT scoring process .

Other relevant blogs include:

AP Score Calculators
Average SAT Scores Over Time
When Do SAT Scores Come Out?

Brittany Borghi

After earning a BA in Journalism and an MFA in Nonfiction Writing from the University of Iowa, Brittany spent five years as a full-time lecturer in the Rhetoric Department at the University of Iowa. Additionally, she’s held previous roles as a researcher, full-time daily journalist, and book editor. Brittany’s work has been featured in The Iowa Review, The Hopkins Review, and the Pittsburgh City Paper, among others, and she was also a 2021 Pushcart Prize nominee.

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The Top Questions About the Digital SAT Answered

This blog post is part of a series between Test Innovators and Scoir . You can read the other part of the series on the Scoir blog here .

We’ve been getting a lot of questions about the new digital SAT lately. So we’ve compiled and answered our most frequently asked questions about the digital SAT.

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

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.

Depending on their performance in Module 1, students get Module 2 Easy or Module 2 Hard.

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.

$is there an essay on the digital sat$

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 .

Start preparing for the college admissions process today!

Originally published on July 26, 2023. Updated on December 29, 2023.

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2020-2021 SAT Test Dates

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The SAT is going digital. The scoring scale remains from 400-1600, but much has changed. These changes have sparked a debate among students and parents about whether the digital SAT is harder than its previous iteration

Similarities between the Digital and Paper-and-Pencil SAT

It’s helpful to know what won’t change between the two tests. The scoring scale is still 400-1600 (which helps to answer the question of which test is harder – more on that below). The College Board states that both versions of the SAT test the same knowledge and skills. Accommodations are available on both tests, though the way accommodations are provided may differ based on the test format.

Differences Between the Digital and Paper-and-Pencil SAT

The most obvious difference between the two formats is the mode of delivery and interaction. In the digital SAT, test-takers read questions and answer them on a computer or tablet, using digital tools for navigation and responses. In contrast, the paper-pencil SAT involves reading printed test booklets and marking answers on paper answer sheets.

This change in format results in changes to the day-of-the-test experience:

1. You’ll need to bring a qualified device to the test center (or contact the College Board in advance to request a device).
2. Upon arrival, you’ll be assigned a seat.
3. You’ll then log in to the site’s Wi-Fi, enter the special code that the proctor will provide you with, and begin.

Because the timing of the digital SAT is managed by the Bluebook application, your sections and breaks won’t line up exactly with others around you.

Note that the Bluebook application requires internet access at the beginning and end of the exam, but if there is a connection interruption the test will continue on as normal. There is the possibility of computer error (as there always is with technology), but the program has been designed to be robust and work on different platforms. Of course, problems also arise in the paper-and-pencil SAT (e.g. lost answer sheets), so there’s no real way to avoid potential issues on the day of the test.

Timing and Pacing

The second major change between the digital SAT and the previous pencil-and-paper version is the timing.

The paper and pencil version has 3 hours of testing material.
The digital SAT has 2 hours and 14 minutes of test time.

This reduction of time makes for a much shorter test day (there is also one fewer break on the digital SAT), making fatigue less of a factor.

The pacing of the digital SAT is also different.

Reading and Writing

The pencil-and-paper version of the SAT allotted 1 minute 15 seconds per Reading question and approximately 48 seconds per Writing and Language question.
On the digital SAT, Reading and Writing questions appear in the same modules (more on that below), with approximately 1 minute 11 seconds per question.
The pencil-and-paper of the SAT’s Math sections had different timings: 1 minute 15 seconds per question in the no-calculator section and approximately 1 minute 26 seconds per question on the calculator-permitted section.
On the digital SAT, there is more time per question: approximately 1 minute 35 seconds.

Test Format

As mentioned above, the digital SAT is shorter than its predecessor test. The digital SAT has two sections: Reading and Writing; and Math. Each section has two modules (more on that below), with the same formatting of each module within a section.

The pencil-and-paper version of the SAT had 10 to 11 questions for each 750-word passage.
On the digital SAT each module has one question per 150-word passage.

Questions in Reading and Writing on the digital SAT are organized by question type, though the exact numbers of each type of question vary from module to module.

Because each question has its own passage, the paired “best evidence” questions from the paper-and-pencil SAT no longer exist. However, this skill is still tested in a number of new question types on the digital SAT. At a deep level, the questions do test more-or-less the same concepts on both tests; however, the different question formats require specific preparation for each test.

The pencil-and-paper version of the SAT housed Student-Produced Response questions in one section
On the digital SAT Student-Produced Response questions are sprinkled throughout

The questions in the digital SAT Math modules are in a rough order of difficulty.

Calculators are permitted throughout both Math modules. Furthermore, the Bluebook application has a built-in graphing calculator based on the Desmos software; learning to leverage this tool is key to improving your digital SAT score.

Math content on the digital SAT is similar to that of the paper-and-pencil test. There is somewhat more geometry and trigonometry on the digital SAT (including questions testing knowledge of proofs), but both versions of the SAT heavily emphasize algebra and problem-solving skills.

Adaptive Testing

On the pencil-and-paper SAT, all students with a given test form had the same questions.
On the digital SAT, students will receive different questions based on their performance. This variation is because the digital SAT is an adaptive test.

The first module of each digital SAT section is a mix of easy, medium, and difficult questions. The second module that you’ll receive will depend on your performance on the first module. If you do well, the second module will have fewer easy questions and more difficult questions, whereas if you do not do as well, the second module will have more easy questions and fewer difficult questions. The final section score is based both on how many questions you get correct and which second module you receive.

Free Digital SAT Practice Tests & Events

Evaluate and improve your SAT score

Is the Digital SAT Harder?

The difficulty level of the SAT, whether in its digital or paper-pencil format, remains the same. The College Board ensures that the digital SAT is designed to assess the same skills and knowledge as the traditional pencil-and-paper SAT. Furthermore, the scoring percentiles will remain consistent between the tests, so a given score on the paper-and-pencil SAT will be directly comparable to the same score on the digital SAT. Finally, the College Board has run and will continue to run validity tests on the digital SAT to ensure that the two versions of the SAT remain comparable.

Which SAT Should You Take?

Whether one format is perceived as more challenging than the other can vary from person to person. In other words, like looking for your dream school , determining the best version of the SAT to take is about fit. Some test-takers may find the digital format more familiar and comfortable, especially if they are accustomed to using digital devices. Others may prefer the traditional paper-pencil format. For many students, the shorter digital SAT will be helpful. For others, having more time per passage and the ability to mark up the test booklet as needed is more important. Ultimately, the level of difficulty is not inherently tied to the format but rather to an individual's familiarity with the testing medium and their preparedness for the content and skills being assessed.

Ultimately, the key to success on the digital SAT is the same as any standardized test: proper preparation and adaptation to the format. Students should familiarize themselves with the digital interface and practice using the built-in calculator. The Princeton Review offers a free digital SAT practice test that emulates all features of the digital SAT, giving you the opportunity to try this new format for yourself.

With proper preparation and adaptation, students can succeed on the digital SAT and achieve their desired scores.

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Everything You Need To Know About The New Digital SAT

Introduction to the DSAT

What Makes the Digital SAT Different?

Is the Digital Version Harder or Easier?

Test Changes & Difficulty

How to Prep for the Digital SAT

As of March 2024, the pen and paper SAT is a relic of the past — all SAT test takers will be taking the digital version of the SAT going forward, and it’s important to know that the new test has some important changes. These changes will impact the testing experience in ways that potentially make the test easier or more difficult compared to the old paper version. In this post we highlight the changes that really matter, and check in with US admissions strategists about what, if anything, really might make the digital version of the SAT 'easier' or 'harder' for some test takers. Our strategists also share some quick tips and resources to help you prepare before you take your own shot at the 2024 Digital SAT!

What’s Changing About the SAT?

The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test administered by the College Board . While widely used for college admissions in the United States, historically speaking, the role of SAT testing for admissions is currently in flux, and the test taking experience can have some intrinsic benefits as well.

At the end of 2023, the pen and paper version of the SAT was fully replaced by the new digital version of the SAT , bringing the test into the modern era, and arguably making the test experience feel more streamlined, natural, and familiar for most of today’s Gen Z test takers!

But with changes like this, come questions...

Did the College Board introduce any big changes to question types or test formats?
Does the test still take as long?
What computers are used for testing?

And, above all, students are asking “Is the digital version really easier or not?”

Great questions! In this post we'll demystify the Digital SAT, exploring the changes most affecting how you'll score on the test, with crucial insights from our own admissions strategists, providing:

A quick introduction to the new Digital SAT
A Digital SAT checklist of key features and their impact
Expert insights from US admissions strategists that show you why the digital version really is easier or harder, and why
Our experts will stick around to reveal some best resources and test prep strategies for your success on the 2024 Digital SAT

An Introduction to the New Digital SAT (DSAT)

This new version of the test is taken on a computer rather than with a pencil and paper, making for a more up-to-date testing experience and streamlining data input, score reporting and tracking.

“The shift to a paper-free version of the test would seem to benefit a generation of students who are digital natives, so while the digital SAT isn’t necessarily easier than the most recent iterations of paper SAT in terms of content, it may feel physically and psychologically easier for students who take it.”

- vincent l., us admissions strategist with crimson education.

The digital format means taking the test on a laptop or tablet. According to the College Board , students taking the Digital SAT may use either a personal device or a school-issued one. Whose computer and which computer you use will typically depend on the guidelines set by the school that’s administering the test.

The Digital SAT Different vs. The Old Paper Version

As of March 2024, the Digital SAT has fully replaced the old paper version, now no longer an option. As such, lots of students are wondering what’s different about the digital version .

The short answer to what’s different, is that the new SAT does introduce some important changes that all test takes should know about . If you’ve been taking practice tests based only on the paper version, you need to know that the digital version takes less time and introduces some different testing formats.

Digital SAT vs. Paper SAT: Key Differences

More streamlined test experience: The digital format streamlines test administration, with students registering, signing in, and taking the test all on the same digital platform.
Faster Score Results: Test scores are now posted within two weeks (or less), depending on your test day. Students simply sign in on the SAT Scores webpage to see their score. Once the score is posted, the College Board also offers ‘ rush reporting ’ — making it possible to get your score to the designated institution within 1 to 4 business days.
Shorter Test Time: The digital version takes only 2 hours and 14 minutes, compared to 3 hours for the paper version.
Shorter, More Numerous Passages (May Benefit Non-Native Speakers): The Reading portion of the digital SAT features 54 short passages, compared to 4 long passages on the paper test.
Calculator for All Math: Now you get to use your College Board approved calculator for both math sections, not just one.
Adaptive Sections: Difficulty Adjusts Based on Performance: Your performance on the first section of reading and math determines the difficulty of the second section.
Score Range: No change to the scoring system , scores range from 400-800 for each section, and 1600 total.

Overall, the digital SAT offers a faster testing experience, but not without several key changes to content and format. Let's explore the changes most likely to affect test difficulty and your score , according to our US admissions strategists.

Is the Digital SAT Harder or Easier Than the Paper One?

Keeping in mind that the digital version is the only option going forward, many students still want to know if the new digital version is harder or easier than the old paper and pen version.

For more context, here's a chart showing how the Digital SAT and old pen and paper SAT differ in terms of test difficulty .

Vincent L., a US Admissions Strategist with Crimson Education, says many students find the digital version easier:

The College Board intended for the digital SAT to be less stressful for students, but they didn't intend for either section to be easier. Nevertheless, most of my students who have taken both the paper and digital SAT, have found the digital version to be easier.

As to why this is, the strategist thinks several factors might account for it:

The test is simply shorter, by 45 minutes, making test-session fatigue less of a factor.
The shift to only short passages and less nuanced reading comprehension questions could be a plus for students with short attention spans or who find reading comprehension challenging.
For most Gen Z students the digital format feels more welcoming and familiar.
Students can now use a calculator any time during the math portion, both Math Module 1 and 2.

These factors show why the digital test could be easier, or at least seem easier, but is it?

Both Vincent L. and other strategists think the truth is probably more mixed , contending that both the new digital format and the old paper version have distinct challenges and advantages.

Test Changes and Difficulty — More Expert Insights

According to the admissions strategists I spoke to, there are two changes likely to have a big impact on test difficulty and test scores:

The introduction of adaptive features
Significant changes to the Reading portion

1. Impact of Adaptive Features on Your Test Scores

The adaptive component, unique to the digital version, directly impacts test difficulty.

Tania B., a US admissions strategist with Crimson Education, advises that you “aim to get as many questions correct early on, in the first module of each section, as this will have a big impact on which of the two second modules you are given.”

“A good tip to share with your students is that they must aim to get as many questions correct early on… this will have a big impact on which of the two second modules they are given.”

- tania b., us admissions strategist with crimson education.

In essence, having to take on the more difficult version of the second module may sound intimidating, but it’s key to keeping on track for getting the highest score possible .

Admissions strategist Vincent L. emphasized how this may affect the test experience too:

The adaptive nature of the digital SAT requires that students perform well on the 1st module in order to advance to the more difficult 2nd module instead of the easier 2nd module. Students who are slow starters may be at a disadvantage, so it's important for test takers to feel ready from the beginning.

2. Changes to the Reading Section

The digital format eliminates the long reading passages and related question types.

By contrast with the old pen and paper SAT, the Reading portion of the digital version has many more reading passages, but they're all very short.

This change may have some advantages for international students , especially non native-English speakers.

Even more, the same change may make the Reading portion less difficult for other students too — for slower readers or any student who finds it hard to stay focused on longer passages.

The Digital SAT has 54 passages — all very short — each with one linked question , typically about vocabulary or sentence grammar and punctuation.

According to Crimson strategist Tania B.’ who has worked with a number of international students applying to US universities “the shorter passages, along with the shortened overall duration of the exam and fewer types of questions to prepare for, has been beneficial for slower readers.”

However, despite these changes, the Reading portion can still be very challenging.

Admissions strategist Tania B. advises test takers to “not be lulled into believing that, as a result, the Reading/Writing portion of the exam is easier, which is not the case.”

While the short passages reduce some key challenges, Tania B. points out that the Reading/Writing questions “still require much thinking and analysis, especially the science/data questions, and many answer options can seem confusingly similar.”

In the end, the Reading/Writing portion of the SAT requires less sophisticated reading comprehension skills, but the test items themselves can still present a variety of stumbling blocks.

A Student's Perspective on the Digital SAT

To get closer to the ‘hands-on’ experience of an actual test taker, I spoke to Ilana N., a junior at Berkeley High School in California. During the past year, Ilana has taken the PSAT, several SAT practice tests, and the real SAT — once on paper, and more recently, the Digital SAT, in March 2024 .

Ilana told me that on the Digital SAT, in both Reading and Math portions, she did well enough in the first module to get the harder (adaptive) second module.

Ilana, a native English speaker and strong reader told me “the Reading/Writing section on the digital test, with no long passages, was easier, especially since most of the questions were only about vocabulary and sentence mechanics.”

But what about the math portion of the Digital SAT?

On that note, Ilana was quick to set the record straight: “

Don’t let anyone tell you the math is easier. I got the harder second module and it killed me. Lots of the questions required too much time, and I didn’t have enough time to even start several of them!

Ilana says she understands that getting the harder second module should mean she can still score well, but if the harder module is so hard you miss lots of the items, then is it still going to result in a better score?…

It turns out, that although she didn't have time to answer several math questions in the advanced version of Math Module 2, she still got a very satisfactory score — highlighting the scoring bump students earn from doing well on the first module !

Since the paper version was never adaptive, of course, we’ll have to wait to get more feedback from test takers about how the adaptive features impact difficulty and scores for the rest of 2024 and beyond.

How to Prep for the (Digital) SAT

Admissions Strategist Tania B. shared the following tips for students prepping to take the Digital SAT in 2024:

Take advantage of the online SAT prep provided by Khan Academy
Check out the Digital SAT Reading and Grammar guides by Erica Meltzer
Once you’re fully prepared, move on to practice testing, using the Digital SAT Bluebook Practice Tests provided by the College Board

Crimson Education also offers some free resources for enhancing your SAT prep process, such as mini online SAT practice tests for both math and reading.

You can use these tests for extra practice or as diagnostic tests. The feedback you get on missed responses will help you identify areas for study and improvement.

And, when you need more than test prep and practice tests…

If you’re looking for more comprehensive instruction in advanced topics in math or reading, check out The Crimson Global Academy (CGA), a fully accredited and award-winning online private school.

CGA connects you with real-time learning and a global network. of highly qualified teachers. You’ll interact with other motivated students from around the world and discover flexible pathways to a broad range of accelerated courses .

Final Thoughts

Now you know a lot more about what to expect on testing day, but even more importantly you’ve learned about changes to test formats that could impact the difficulty of the test experience .

From significant changes to the Reading portion, to the impact of the new adaptive features, the insights you’ve gained will help you prep more effectively for your own testing session.

And kudos to you for reading this post!

It shows you’re engaged and understand the importance of staying informed for each step of your college journey.

If you have more questions about how to build a more effective, personalized college planning roadmap, be sure to reach out for a free exploratory call with a helpful Crimson Education Counselor. They’d love to find out how your college journey’s going and how they can help.

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Our Crimson strategists are top graduates from the world's most prestigious universities, including Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Oxford, and Cambridge. They bring their firsthand experience and deep insights to stay ahead of the curve in college admissions, providing you with the most up-to-date strategies for success.

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Is the Digital SAT Easier or Harder Than the Paper Version?

As of Spring 2024, every student taking the SAT will take the College Board’s new, digital SAT. The SAT format is also changing with this new digital version of the test, and so you probably have lots of questions! Like, is the digital SAT harder? Or is the digital SAT easier?

We’ll answer all of your questions about the new, digital SAT in this complete guide , including:

How has the SAT changed now that it’s gone digital? How is it different from the old pencil-and-paper SAT?
Which changes to the exam are easier? Harder?
How does the the digital SAT affect your study plans?

One of the best ways to prep for the digital SAT is to learn as much about it as possible. So, let’s get started!

Why Did the College Board Make the SAT Digital?

The College Board said that it transitioned to a digital SAT in order to make the exam more accessible, relatable, and less stressful for students .

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many students struggled to access sites where they could take the paper and pencil SAT. So in order to make the SAT accessible for students around the world no matter the circumstances , the College Board introduced the digital SAT.

Along with increased accessibility, the College Board claims that a digital SAT is more aligned with how students today are learning . Many learning experiences both inside and outside of schools happen on digital devices, and the College Board wants the SAT to keep up with that trend.

Also, the shorter exam length and extra time per question is designed to make the digital SAT less stressful for students . In general, the College Board intended for the new changes to the SAT to help students focus on successfully showing their skills, knowledge, and college and career readiness.

But is the digital SAT easier than the paper and pencil SAT? Let’s find out!

The only constant in life is change, and that's true with the digital SAT as well. Here are the big differences you can expect.

What Changed With the Digital SAT?

It probably comes as no surprise that the switch from the pencil-and-paper SAT to the digital SAT involved several changes that affect how students take and prepare for the exam.

To help you fully understand what the digital SAT is like, we’ll break down five major changes for the digital SAT and explain how they affect the testing experience.

Change #1: The SAT Is Given in a Different Format

This might seem straightforward since the digital SAT is “digital,” but in the new format, students no longer take the exam using pencil and paper.

Instead, students take the digital SAT in schools and testing centers using either a digital device that they own (laptop or tablet) or a school-issued device.

To take the test, students are given access to a custom-built digital exam application, called Bluebook , that they download prior to test day. They receive full instructions on how to download and use the testing app in advance of their exam day. The digital SAT is taken and submitted completely online.

Change #2: The Digital SAT Is Shorter

The digital SAT is a total of two hours and 14 minutes long , making it about an hour shorter than the paper-and-pencil SAT.

There are a total of 98 questions on the digital SAT, and it lasts for a total of 134 minutes .

Here’s a breakdown of the timing and number of questions on each section of the digital SAT :

Change #3: The Digital SAT Has Renamed Sections as Modules

There were four sections on the old paper-and-pencil SAT: reading, writing, math with a calculator, and math without a calculator. The digital SAT has four sections as well, only they’re now called modules. Both sections of the digital SAT are each divided into two modules for four modules total .

Students complete two modules in the Reading and Writing section, and another two modules in the Math section. Each module is timed, and students must complete the first module in each section before moving on to the second module (we’ll talk more about this later).

The digital SAT might have updated content, but it tests a lot of the same content that the paper-and-pencil test did.

Change #4: The Digital SAT Tests the Same Skills With New Content

Like the pencil and paper SAT, the digital SAT measures the same skills and knowledge that students learn in high school and that are most important for college and career readiness. But the College Board is making changes to test content to better fit the digital exam structure.

In general, digital exam questions are more direct and focused on assessing what students need to know to succeed in college and careers. The digital SAT exam content is designed to better test the knowledge students will use in the future.

Additionally, the Reading and Writing section gives students shorter texts that are tied to a single question . This is a change from the pencil and paper SAT, which gave students a few long reading passages and multiple questions per passage.

On the digital SAT Math section, word problems (called “questions in context”) are more concise than those on the pencil and paper exam. So there's will be less reading on the math section of the digital SAT, too!

Also, the digital SAT features a new system called “adaptive testing” to measure students’ math, reading, and writing skills in a more efficient way. Adaptive testing changes the difficulty level of exam questions based on each question that a test taker gets right or wrong. This means that every student’s test will be a little bit different.

Here’s what we mean: o n both the Reading and Writing section and the Math section, the first module contains a broad mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. Based on how students perform on the first module in each section, the second module of questions will either be more difficult or less difficult.

In other words, the digital SAT adapts the difficulty of the test based on individual test takers’ performance. Check out our article to learn more about this new feature of the digital SAT.

Adaptive testing is designed to make testing more secure (it’s harder to leak exam answers when everyone’s test is different!), tailored to students’ needs, and effective at measuring students’ performance.

Change #5: SAT Scoring

First things first: the SAT is still scored on a 1600 scale . Scores on the digital SAT means the same thing as scores on the pencil-and-paper SAT. For example, a score of 1300 on the digital SAT is the same as a score of 1300 on the pencil-and-paper SAT.

The scores students earn on the digital SAT are calculated based on two factors: the difficulty level of questions they were given and the number of questions answered correctly. The goal is for students’ scores to more accurately reflect their knowledge and skill levels.

Harder questions have a higher value. In other words, getting more difficult questions correct is how you score higher on the digital SAT. As more scoring information becomes available with the digital SAT, we’ll continue to update our articles across our website regarding adaptive testing.

Another major change with the digital SAT is that student score reports are delivered days after the exam rather than weeks later . This allows students to make decisions about retaking the SAT and submitting their scores to colleges more quickly.

And finally, the digital SAT also provides more resources for students who are looking at options other than four-year colleges . SAT Suite score reports connect students with information about local two-year colleges, workforce training programs, and how their SAT score connects to career opportunities in areas that interest them.

Let's take a look at how the digital SAT might be easier.

Is the Digital SAT Easier?

Since the SAT transitioned to a new, digital format, it’s normal to wonder, “Is the digital SAT easier? How will this change affect my testing experience and scores?”

Here’s what the College Board says about that : “The digital SAT will continue to measure the skills and knowledge that research shows are crucial to college readiness and success and at the same level of rigor as the current SAT.” In other words, the digital SAT is not designed to be easier than the paper-and-pencil SAT .

However, the College Board says that the digital format makes the SAT less stressful and more approachable for students. The exam is shorter, students have more time per question, and the content on the SAT is presented in a more direct way.

The passages on SAT Reading and Writing will be shorter, and the questions on both sections of the exam will be more concise. For many students, that means the questions will be easier to understand.

The digital SAT also provides tools and resources that the old version didn’t. On the digital SAT, students can flag questions to come back to later instead of having to flip back and forth through a test booklet. Students also have the option to show or hide a countdown clock on their testing screen that alerts them when they’re running out of time.

Another bonus is that on the digital SAT Math section, students get a built-in graphing calculator that they can use on the entire section, though students can still bring in their own calculator if they like. Students also get a digital reference sheet including common formulas, and they have the option to use scratch paper to work on problems.

To sum it all up: the digital SAT is not designed to be easier than the pencil-and-paper SAT. However, some of the changes to the digital SAT make accessing the exam, taking the exam, and receiving scores easier for students.

But adjusting to the new digital SAT might mean you have to work harder, too.

Is the Digital SAT Harder?

Is the digital SAT harder? As we mentioned earlier, the content on the digital SAT is not designed to be easier or harder than the pencil and paper exam . However, it’s possible that the change to a digital format might create challenges for some test takers.

First, the digital SAT uses adaptive testing, which determines the difficulty of students’ exam questions based on their performance on earlier questions on the exam. Adaptive testing might make the exam more difficult for some students depending on their learning level.

Students taking the digital SAT also have to learn how to access and use Bluebook, a digital exam application, before exam day . While the College Board provides instructions for using Bluebook, downloading and learning how to use Bluebook could be time-consuming and overwhelming for some students.

Additionally, students who need to borrow a digital device from their school or testing center in order to take the exam have to spend additional time requesting a device and verifying that they’re eligible to borrow one .

There’s also the possibility of technical difficulties when testing on a digital device . If the Internet connection fails or the testing app crashes, for instance, students will be interrupted during the exam. While the College Board explains that students’ scores won’t be negatively affected by technical difficulties, a disruption like this could add more stress to an already tough testing experience.

How To Study for the Digital SAT: 3 Tips

Is the digital SAT easier? Is the digital SAT harder? While the digital SAT is different from the pencil and paper SAT, it isn’t necessarily harder or easier than the current version of the exam.

At the end of the day, how hard or easy the digital SAT will be for you is going to depend on how well prepared you are. To help you ace the digital SAT, check out our three tips on how to study for the new exam below.

Tip #1: Get Your Digital Device Ready

First, if you plan to use your own digital device (laptop or tablet), College Board’s exam previews will help you set up your device so it’s compatible with Bluebook . That way, you’ll know your digital device is ready to go before test day. And you won’t have to figure out how to set it up all by yourself.

Second, these exam previews let you see real test questions in the app and try out all the digital testing tools (e.g., graphing calculator, countdown clock, etc.). This will save you time on exam day because you’ll already be a pro at using Bluebook!

Tip #2: Use the College Board’s Digital SAT Study Resources

The College Board also provides practice tests to help you prepare for the digital SAT –and they’re all free!

Six digital, adaptive practice exams are available when you download the Bluebook app , which you’ll also use to take your digital SAT on exam day.

If possible, take all of these practice exams before your test day. That way, you’ll have a handle on what adaptive testing is like before you take the digital exam!

Tip #3: Build a Study Plan and Stick to It

You’ll still need to study if you want to earn a good score on the digital SAT. Putting together a study plan can help you spread your preparation out over the weeks and months before you actually take the SAT!

Our step-by-step guide to building an SAT study plan works for the digital test, and it’ll help you prioritize your time so you’re getting the most out of your study sessions. It also helps you figure out the material you need to spend the most time with, so that you’re better prepared to earn top marks on test day.

Like we mentioned earlier, a lot of the content on the digital SAT will be the same as it was on the older test. You can start studying for the digital SAT with our ultimate SAT study guide to get your prep off on the right foot.

Of course, you'll want to get the most out of your study sessions. That's where our proven study plans come in . Check them out and pick one that's right for you.

No study time? No problem . Our ten-day SAT cram plan can help you boost your score in spite of the time crunch. (And if you need more time to prep, here's how you can reschedule your exam .)

Disappointed with your scores? Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must use to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

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Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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The Ultimate Guide to the New Digital SAT Format
The current version of the SAT features a 65-minute Reading section of 52 questions and a 35-minute Writing and Language (W&L) section of 44 questions. In the combined Reading and Writing (R&W) Section of the new digital SAT, there will be two modules, each taking 32 minutes and comprising 27 questions. Reading and Writing Section.
Everything You Need to Know About the Digital SAT
The digital SAT is a shorter, adaptive test that measures the same skills as the paper test. It does not include an essay section and does not require you to write by hand.
What Is the SAT Essay?
The SAT Essay section is a writing assignment based on a passage that tests your reading, analysis, and writing skills. It is only available in certain states where it is required for SAT School Day. Learn more about the format, scoring, and practice options for the SAT Essay.
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The digital SAT isn't simply a digital version of the current paper and pencil test — it will be easier to take, more secure, and more relevant. To see more detailed information on the digital SAT scoring, ... There are no SAT questions that have an essay portion anymore.
About the digital SAT Reading and Writing test
The SAT Reading and Writing test has seen substantial changes in the transition to digital. Changes include: One test for Reading and Writing: While the pencil-and-paper SAT tested Reading and Writing in separate test sections, the digital SAT combines these topics. Shorter passages (and more of them): Instead of reading long passages and ...
What You Need to Know About the New Digital SAT
The digital SAT is a computer-based test that lasts two hours and has fewer questions than the old pencil and paper version. It also has more time per question, calculators for math, shorter reading passages, and faster scores.
The Digital SAT Reading and Writing Section
On the digital SAT, there are two 32-minute Reading and Writing sections that each contain 27 questions. So, there are 54 Reading and Writing questions in total. In totalSo, the digital SAT has nearly half as many Reading and Writing questions as the old, paper SAT. There are a few other key changes to explore about the new Reading and Writing ...
About the digital SAT
Beyond the SAT: resources for college. Don't know much about the digital SAT? Start here! This unit gives you an overview of the structure, format, content, and scoring of the test. You'll also learn how to take official practice tests and create an SAT prep plan and schedule.
The 2 Sections of the Digital SAT: What You Need to Know for 2024
The 2 SAT Sections: The Basics. While the old SAT had four sections, the new SAT only has two: SAT Reading and Writing. SAT Math. If you're used to the old sections, this might be a bit of a shock: all of your verbal questions are now combined into one section and score (Reading and Writing). Plus, there's no longer a separation between ...
PDF The SAT® Practice Essay #1
for the SAT Essay. For information on scoring your essay, view ... This version of the SAT Practice Essay is for students who will be taking the digital SAT in nondigital format. 6KS01E. fl -SAT"I As you read the passage below, consider how Paul Bogard uses ... "Let There Be Dark." ©2012 by Paul Bogard. Originally published in . Los ...
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Will the digital SAT have an essay component? No, the digital SAT does not have an essay component. The essay portion of the SAT has been optional since 2016, and the digital version of the SAT will only include the multiple-choice sections of the exam: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. ... Will there be a limit to the number of times a ...
Digital SAT Launches Across the Country, Completing the Transition to
Students take the digital SAT on the Bluebook app, which includes built-in tools and resources to support students during testing, including a timer, annotation, and more. Bluebook also has full-length digital practice tests, which students can use to prepare for the SAT in addition to the free Official Digital SAT Prep on Khan Academy.
The Ultimate Digital SAT Study Guide: Tips, Plans, and Practice
Step 3: Take an Adaptive SAT to Get Your Baseline Score. Now that you can access practice digital SATs through Bluebook, it's time to find out your baseline score. A baseline score is the score you'd earn if you took the digital SAT right now before you've started studying!
What's on the Digital SAT: Your Comprehensive Guide
There are four "content domains" in Math on the Digital SAT: Algebra (~35%): Working with linear equations (i.e. equations without exponents). Problem-Solving and Data Analysis (~15%): Working with basic statistics concepts, such as rates, percentages, and probability.
The Digital SAT: Frequently Asked Questions
How does this structure compare to the paper SAT? On the paper SAT, there are also 4 sections. However, the English sections are split between (1) Reading Comprehension and (2) Writing and Language, with different question types in each. ... Will the digital SAT have an essay? No, students will not have to write an essay on the digital SAT.
How the SAT Is Structured
The digital SAT is composed of two sections: Reading and Writing and Math. Students have 64 minutes to complete the Reading and Writing section and 70 minutes to complete the Math section for a total of 2 hours and 14 minutes. Each section is divided into 2 equal length modules, and there is a 10-minute break between the Reading and Writing ...
The Paper SAT vs. the New Digital SAT
The digital SAT will be a full hour shorter than the current paper-and-pencil test. Students taking the digital will have 2 hours and 14 minutes (including short "pauses" between sections) to finish the test. The SAT Essay, which was dropped from the test in 2021, will not be making a comeback. Students will receive their digital SAT scores ...
Digital SAT
Digital SAT is the newly transitioned digital version of the existing SAT. It will be conducted online on an electronic device such as a laptop or a tablet. ... Is there an essay on the Digital SAT? No, the Digital SAT does not include an essay section. The essay section was removed from the linear SAT in 2021 and is not part of the digital ...
SAT Changes 2023-2024: What You Need To Know
In case you haven't heard, there are some big changes happening to the SAT in 2024. As the SAT goes digital, you'll need to adapt to the new format and structure.. But in order to adapt to the new and improved SAT, you need to know more about how the exam is changing.In this guide, we'll walk you through all of the major SAT changes (2023-2024), including:
5 Most Important Changes You Need To Know About The Digital SAT
There's no need to worry - the SAT Essay's not coming back. For the digital SAT, there is only one Reading and Writing section. The verbal section is no longer separated into two (1) the Reading Test, (2) the Writing and Language Test.
SAT Changes for 2024: Guide to the Digital SAT
February 12, 2024. Starting in 2024, the famous three-hour, pencil-and-paper, bubble-filling, 1600-point test that has been a gateway to college for decades will now be replaced by a shiny, new, digital version. That's right: the SAT will no longer be administered in a physical format, and test takers from 2024 onward will now take the ...
Official Digital SAT® Prep
Prep. Official We partnered directly with College Board, the creators of the digital SAT, to help you focus on the exact skills you need to succeed on the test. Interactive Sharpen your skills with our library of thousands of practice questions, videos, lessons, and hints plus test-taking tips and strategies. High Quality Prep for every section ...
The Top Questions About the Digital SAT Answered
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 ...
Is the Digital SAT Actually Harder?
The paper and pencil version has 3 hours of testing material. The digital SAT has 2 hours and 14 minutes of test time. This reduction of time makes for a much shorter test day (there is also one fewer break on the digital SAT), making fatigue less of a factor. The pacing of the digital SAT is also different.
Digital SAT 2024: Key Changes & Expert Insights
As of March 2024, the pen and paper SAT is a relic of the past — all SAT test takers will be taking the digital version of the SAT going forward, and it's important to know that the new test has some important changes. These changes will impact the testing experience in ways that potentially make the test easier or more difficult compared ...
Students prepare to take redesigned digital and adaptive SAT
There will also be an on-screen calculator that students can use instead of bringing one with them. Besides going digital, the biggest change is adaptive testing, which means the test questions ...
Is the Digital SAT Easier or Harder Than the Paper Version?
Change #2: The Digital SAT Is Shorter. The digital SAT is a total of two hours and 14 minutes long, making it about an hour shorter than the paper-and-pencil SAT. There are a total of 98 questions on the digital SAT, and it lasts for a total of 134 minutes. Here's a breakdown of the timing and number of questions on each section of the ...
Common App Essay allows students to set themselves apart
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