PACK AWAY YOUR NO. 2 PENCILS! THE SAT IS GOING DIGITAL.

THE DIGITAL SAT 

The College Board has recently announced that from 2023 internationally (and 2024 in the United States), the SAT will be offered in digital format only. But, that’s not the only change that will happen. Here’s a list of all of the changes to the “new” SAT:

WHAT’S CHANGING

  • The entire test will be digital

  • The test will be shortened to 2 hours (from its current 3 hour timeframe)

  • There will be shorter reading passages with only one question assigned to each

  • Students will be allowed to use a calculator for the entire math section

  • Scores will be delivered in days instead of weeks

These changes seem to show that the SAT is trying to stay relevant to the admissions process, despite the fact that more universities are moving towards test-optional and test-free admissions. A shorter test may encourage more students to attempt the test instead of opting out. In addition, as students have become accustomed to the feel of online school due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this test may feel like an extension of online school.

Does this mean you can take the test at home? No. The SAT will continue to be held at testing centers. For a full explanation of the changes, watch this video from College Board director Priscilla Rodriguez. 

WHY THESE CHANGES

It all started with the coronavirus pandemic. With test cancellations and test center closures, it became more and more challenging—even impossible—to take the SAT. Most universities realized that keeping the SAT as a requirement was unfair, so they went test-optional in 2020. And when the COVID-19 pandemic extended on to 2021, universities kept their test-optional policies for the 2021, 2022, and 2023 admissions cycles.

SHOULD I BOTHER TO TAKE THE SAT?

With more and more universities moving towards test-optional (except for the Florida State schools where the SAT or ACT has remained mandatory) and test-free policies (most notably all schools in the University of California and California State University systems), the role of the SAT in admissions seems to be diminishing. 

Of course, this test-optional trend in admissions doesn’t erase the SAT’s weight in admissions. SAT scores are just one of many factors that affect admissions. An outstanding SAT score does not make up for poor grades at school, but it will certainly enhance a high GPA, great extracurriculars, and outstanding application essays. 


Sandra Salloum