The Digital SAT & PSAT

Collegeboard has completely removed the pencil and paper version of the SAT. Since March 2024, the test has transitioned to a shortened, digital format. The total time required to complete the test is now just over 2 hours instead of 3 hours. This test has 2 reading/writing modules as well as 2 math modules. These sections are adaptive, meaning that the second module’s difficulty depends on how well a student does on the first module. All questions are no longer weighted equally for each section: there are 3 possible difficulty levels for a given question, weighted accordingly. Since there is no science section, the SAT incorporates graphs and charts into all modules. A calculator is now allowed on both math sections and will be provided for the test (Desmos). Students can bring their own calculator as well. The SAT allows more time per question for each section than the ACT; however, the questions themselves are slightly more difficult on average.

The PSAT is a simpler, slightly shorter version of the SAT that is administered to sophomores. It is more significant than the pre-ACT because it can qualify a student for the National Merit Scholarship; to be considered, a score above a certain threshold (usually a 99th percentile score) must be achieved.  

Your student should take the SAT if they:

-Prefer the new adaptive format

-Have trouble answering all of the questions in time on two or more sections of the ACT, leaving a significant number of questions remaining

-Strongly dislike the ACT science section

-Are high-level readers

-Prefer to have the math sections compose 50% of their score instead of the ACT’s 25%

-Don’t mind the grid-in questions at the end of each math section (the answers to these must be calculated and are not multiple-choice)

Test Dates and Registration

The SAT can be taken across the country during specific months of the year: March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. Most schools in Colorado choose to focus on the SAT instead of the ACT and will have students take the test in April of their junior year. To register for an SAT, visit collegeboard.org. As with the ACT, it is best to lock down a preferred test center near you as early as possible.

Scoring

Each module of the SAT is scored using a scale from 100-400. Then, the reading and writing scores are combined to form a score between 200 and 800 and the two math sections are combined in the same fashion. The composite score a student receives is the sum of these combined section scores between 400 and 1600.

Accommodations

If your student suffers from a documented learning disability, I strongly recommend applying for accommodations on the SAT. If granted, extra time on this test can significantly improve one’s score. To apply for accommodations, you can apply on the Collegeboard website. Collegeboard will work with you from then on to determine the necessary next steps.

Test Structure

*The experimental section is administered at the end of each nation-wide test. It is a tool for the SAT to determine which questions will be used on future tests. As such, this section does not count towards a student’s composite score*