On Jan. 5, 2022, The College Board declared that the SAT would be administered digitally as opposed to on paper starting this spring. Along with the switch to a digital format, the test itself is undergoing changes as well.
Up until now, the SAT consisted of three overarching sections: Critical Reading, Writing & Essay and Math. The former SAT exam lasted a duration of three hours, which is almost an hour longer than the new SAT exam. The old exam was also not able to adapt to your knowledge base.
“My experience taking the SAT was not ideal. I have never been a great standardized test taker, I struggle to sit for that long while maintaining a strong focus on the tasks on hand that need to be completed, the whole process drains me mentally.” said senior Cam Rockwell who took the former SAT exam last school year.
Aside from the new SAT duration being two hours and 14 minutes, some other notable features of the new exam include shorter reading passages, access to additional in-exam features such as a digital countdown clock and digital reference sheets, according to US News. The score of your SAT exam will also be delivered within a couple of days after the test as opposed to weeks later.
One of the main purposes of the changes to the SAT is to make the test more relevant while an increasing number of students are applying to test-optional colleges. According to The Hill, “Fewer than half of the students who applied early to college this fall submitted standardized test scores, according to an analysis by the nonprofit that publishes the Common Application.”
An additional purpose of the changes to the SAT is to make the test more flexible in terms of where students can take the test. According to TestGeek, “The cancellation of test dates in 2020 and the transition to learning online for students influenced the College Board’s decision to make the change. Going digital allows for more flexibility with when and where students can test, which provides more opportunities for students in rural and low-income areas.”
As of now, juniors are expected to take the new version of the exam in the spring. With these new changes, the 2024 SAT is expected to be easier and more in favor of students nationwide.
