The new digital SAT is a computer-based test that you will take on a laptop or tablet. It's designed to be simpler and quicker than the old paper test. Here’s how it works:

Sections and Timing

The test has two main parts:

• Reading and Writing: You will spend 64 minutes on this section. It has questions that check your understanding of what you read and how well you can write.
• Math: This section lasts 70 minutes. It includes questions about numbers, algebra, and other math topics. You can use a calculator for all the math questions.

Each section is split into two smaller parts called "modules." You start with the first module, and depending on how well you do, the second module will either be more difficult or easier.

Adaptive Testing

This means the test changes based on your answers. If you do well on the first module, the second module will have harder questions. If you find the first module tough, the second module will have easier questions. This helps make sure the questions you get are just right for your level.

Scoring

The total score you can get ranges from 400 to 1600 points, combining your results from both the Reading and Writing section and the Math section.

Test Duration

The whole test takes about 2 hours and 14 minutes. This is shorter than the old SAT, which was about 3 hours long.

Tools You Can Use

• Built-in Calculator: For the math section, there’s a calculator in the test software that you can use.
• Shorter Passages: Reading passages are shorter than before, making them quicker to read and understand.

Reading and Writing Section

• Total Time: 64 minutes
• Total Questions: 54
• Modules: 2
  • Each module is 32 minutes long.
  • Each module contains a mix of reading and writing questions.

Types of Questions:

• Reading: Questions will ask you to read passages and answer questions about them. These passages cover topics like literature, history, science, and social studies.
• Writing: Questions will ask you to improve sentences or find mistakes in written passages.

Math Section

• Total Time: 70 minutes
• Total Questions: 44
• Modules: 2
  • Each module is 35 minutes long.
  • You can use a calculator for all questions in this section.

Types of Questions:

• Multiple Choice: Most of the questions will give you four options to choose from.
• Student-Produced Response: Some questions will require you to calculate the answer yourself and enter it into the system.

Adaptive Testing

The digital SAT uses a format called "adaptive testing." This means:

• First Module: You will start with a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions.
• Second Module: The difficulty of the questions in the second module will depend on how well you did in the first module. If you answer most questions correctly, the second module will have harder questions. If you find the first module challenging, the second module will have easier questions.

General Features

• Built-in Tools: The test includes a built-in calculator, a timer to keep track of your remaining time, and tools to mark questions for review.
• Graphics and Tables: Some questions will include graphics like charts or tables, especially in the Math section.

Test Day

• Total Testing Time: 2 hours and 14 minutes, not including breaks.
• Break: There is a 10-minute break between the Reading and Writing section and the Math section.

This format is designed to make the test fairer and more focused on what you have learned in school. It also means you can use digital tools you might be familiar with, like a graphing calculator, directly in the test application.

Taking the Test

You will take the test at a school or a test center, not at home. You need to bring your own laptop or tablet. This new format is meant to make the test less stressful and more straightforward, fitting better with how you usually learn and study using digital devices.