The College Board announced this week that beginning in 2024, SAT exams will be taken digitally by US students. International students will access the test fully online by 2023.
Digital SATs were first piloted in November 2021. The College Board revealed that 80 percent of students who took the tests said they found it less stressful, with 100 percent of instructors reporting a positive experience.
“The digital SAT will be easier to take, easier to give, and more relevant,” vice president of College Readiness Assessments at College Board Priscilla Rodriguez said. “We’re not simply putting the current SAT on a digital platform — we’re taking full advantage of what delivering an assessment digitally makes possible.”
What’s New
In addition to the new digital format, the test will now be shorter and take two hours instead of three. Reading passages will be smaller and cover a broader range of topics to reflect what students study in college.
Students can access the test through their laptops or tablets. For those who do not have their own device, College Board will provide one for use on test day. Math questions will allow calculators.
SAT reports will also provide information and resources about local two-year colleges, workforce training programs, and career options to help students choose the correct career path after high school.
Most importantly, students will receive their scores in days rather than weeks.
As more and more schools go test-optional, Rodriguez said the Board wants “SAT to be the best possible option for students.”
“The SAT allows every student — regardless of where they go to high school — to be seen and to access opportunities that will shape their lives and careers,” she stated.