Digital SAT - College Admissions
A whole new terrain.
The SAT is fully digital for the first time ever. We’ll guide you so you can take it in your stride.
The SAT is known for its ‘depth over breadth’ demands, and the new Digital version maintains that rep. However, it’s much shorter than its paper predecessor, which gives students substantially more time per question. Compared to the ACT, the Digital SAT gives students 68% more time per question.
The biggest change with this test is that it is digital – and adaptive. Each section has two modules, the second one being determined by your performance in the first. Module 2 will be more difficult if you do well on Module 1. On the flip side, it will be easier if you don’t perform as well on Module 1.
Format
This test takes 2 hours and 14 minutes, cut down from its previous 3 hours. The Reading & Writing section now has more brief, 1-question passages. The math section’s word problem lengths have also been reduced…and you’re allowed a calculator. In fact, there’s one built into the system for your use.
A 32-minute baseline module to get started.
Includes 27 questions, each from a separate passage.
Literature
Social Science
Poetry
Natural Science
History
Humanities
Distribution of topics varies. Easier adaptive modules tend to focus on literature; harder adaptive modules tend to focus on humanities.
Half reading. Half grammar and editing. Adapted to your skill level.
The difficulty adjusts according to your baseline results and includes 27 questions, each from a separate passage.
A 35-minute baseline module to assess your current level.
It consists of 22 questions and includes formula references, with a Desmos calculator provided.
A 35-minute adaptive module.
The difficulty adjusts according to your baseline performance. It includes 22 questions, provides formula references, and features a built-in graphing calculator.
The SAT clocks in at 2 hours and 14 minutes – that’s 46 minutes shorter than it used to be, and 41 minutes shorter than the ACT. With the digital format, you get 95 seconds per Math question and 71 seconds per Reading & Writing question.
When you get a score report, you get more than just an overall score. It will also show your Reading & Writing and Math Section Scores out of 800, along with a Knowledge and Skills section which reflects your performance in various domains. The latter is not used to make college admissions decisions.
Reading & Writing
Digital SAT Test and Registration Dates
The Digital SAT is offered 7 times a year – in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. It’s smart to sit for the dSAT a few times to account for first-time jitters and adjust to the new digital format, so plan ahead!
At the outset of junior year, consider sports seasons, end of semester exams, or whichever factors will affect you most, and register for 2-3 SAT dates accordingly. You’ll thank yourself senior year when you’re free to focus on those college apps!
Which test is right for you?
Digital SAT
Digital, Adaptive
More Time per Question
Short, Single-Question Reading Passages
Scores Back Within Days
ACT
Paper, Fixed Format
Faster-Paced
Longer Reading Passages
Scores Back in 2-3 Weeks
71 Sec / Question
53 Sec / Question
1-36 Points
(Easier or Harder)
71 Sec / Question
200 - 800 Points
53 Sec / Question
1-36 Points
95 Sec / Question
53 Sec / Question
1-36 Points
(Easier or Harder)
95 Sec / Question
200 - 800 Points
53 Sec / Question
1-36 Points
Take a Free Practice Test
Are you ready to take an online practice test? You’ll love how detailed our score reports are.
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