Blessy Babu Jan 25, 2024
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Entrance Tips

Digital SAT Exam 2024 | Latest Updates on SAT Exam Pattern

The college board has announced that it will deliver the SAT tests digitally from the academic year of March 2023. Despite the transition to digital, many important features of the SAT exam will remain the same. 

What is Digital SAT?

The digital SAT is the exam administered by the college board to measure the skills and knowledge of the students who  seek admission to universities or colleges. When students take the digital SAT, it will not simply be the digital version of the current paper-pencil test. Although not entirely, the digital SAT exam will have some differences from the previous SAT paper pattern. It will be a better, more flexible test that’s easier to take, give, secure and more relevant. 

Check out: Benefits of SAT Exam

What is Changing, and When?

  • The Digital SAT will be offered internationally in March 2023 and in the U.S. in March 2024. 
  • All PSAT assessments will be administered digitally, starting in the fall of 2023.
  • Students will take the test on a laptop or a tablet where they already do much of their learning.
  • The test will be shorter, changing from three to two hours. 
  • Reading passages will be shorter, and math questions will be less wordy.
  • Students will be able to use calculators in the entire Math section. 
  • Scores will be delivered in days instead of weeks.
  • The digital SAT will connect students to more relevant information on the local two-year colleges and workforce training programs.

What’s Not Changing?

  • The digital SAT will measure the knowledge and skills students are learning in high school that matter the most for college and career readiness. 
  • The score will be on a 1600-point scale.
  • Students will continue to take tests at the schools or a test centre and not at home.
  • Every student can access free practice resources from the Training Institute where they enrol for SAT Training.
  • The test will continue to connect students directly to significant scholarship opportunities. 

Check out: Why is SAT Exam important to study in the USA & UK

Differences Between the New Digital SAT and the Paper Pattern Tests: An Overview

The SAT digital exam format makes it more approachable and less intimidating for students. Discover how the paper-pencil test differs from the new digital SAT from the table given below.

SAT Paper-Pencil Test Digital SAT Test
  • SAT paper test length is 3 Hours and 15 minutes.
  • The test length is shortened to 2 hours and 14 min.
  • Test timing is 100 minutes for the reading and writing section.
  • The test timing is shortened to 64 minutes for the reading and writing section.
  • The paper sat format: reading has five passages with 52 questions (65 min).
  • Reading and writing are combined into one section (54 multiple-choice questions). Each includes short passages and may contain informational graphics.
  • Writing and language have four passages with 44 questions (35 min).
  • The math section test length is 80 minutes.
  • The digital sat math test length is 70 minutes.
  • No calculator section calculators with 15 multiple-choice questions + five student-produced response questions.
  • The calculator is allowed throughout the math section. The math test section contains 33 multiple-choice questions, + 11 student-produced response questions. All questions are intermixed.
  • The calculator section has 30 multiple-choice questions + 8 student-produced response questions

Check out: SAT Reading Tips

The New Digital SAT Exam Format

  • The new digital SAT exam pattern will be composed of two sections: 
  1. Combined reading and writing section,
  2. Math
  • Each section will include two modules. A test taker can spend approximately 30-35 minutes on each module. 
  • The digital SAT will be two-stage adaptive. A test taker’s performance in the first module will determine the difficulty of the questions in the second module of that section. 
  • Reading and Writing are combined into a single section on the new digital SAT. In the digital SAT, passages will be considerably shorter, and a single question will accompany each passage. Reading and Writing passages may contain informational graphics.
  • The new digital SAT allows students to use calculators for the entire Math section. The testing app includes a graphing calculator.

Digital SAT Multistage Adaptive Model

The new digital SAT follows the multistage adaptive model. Each test section (Reading and Writing; Math) is divided into two equal-length and separately timed stages, and each will have a module of questions. In the first module, students will answer questions ranging from easy to medium to challenging. Second-module questions are primarily based on the test taker’s performance in the first module. Questions would be of a higher or lower order of difficulty in the second module than in the first module. Student performance in the first module determines which questions should be presented in the second module.

Check out: What is a Good SAT Score?

Digital SAT Exam Syllabus

SAT Digital exam is a computer-based test administered by the college board and used by most colleges and universities worldwide for undergraduate admissions. The digital SAT exam syllabus consists of two sections,

  • Reading and writing,
  • Math

In the Reading and Writing section, the digital SAT Suite measures students’ literacy readiness for college and careers, whereas the Math section of the digital SAT Suite tests is designed to assess students’ math proficiency and college readiness. Check the table below for the Reading and Writing Section Content Domains and Question Distribution for the Digital SAT Suite of Assessments.

Content Domain Domain Description Skill/Knowledge Testing Points Operational Question Distribution
Craft and Structure
  • Students will use comprehension, vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, and reasoning skills and knowledge to understand and use high-utility words and phrases in context, evaluate texts rhetorically, and make connections between topically related texts.

Words in Context Text Structure and Purpose Cross-Text Connections.

≈28% / 13-15 questions.
Information and Ideas
  • Students will use comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills and knowledge and the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, and integrate information and ideas from texts and informational graphics.

Central Ideas and Details Command of Evidence

  • Textual
  • Quantitative Inferences
≈26% / 12-14 questions.
Standard English Conventions
  • Students will use editing skills and knowledge to make the text conform to core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage and Punctuation.
Boundaries Form, Structure, and Sense. ≈26% / 11-15 questions.
Expression of Ideas
  • Students will use the ability to revise texts to improve written expression’s effectiveness and meet specific rhetorical goals.
Rhetorical Synthesis Transitions. ≈20% / 8-12 questions.

Check out: SAT Preparation Tips

The table below shows the Digital SAT Math Section Content Domains and Question Distribution. Check it out before getting started.

Content Domain Domain Description Skill/Knowledge Testing Points Operational Question Distribution
Algebra
  • Students will analyse, fluently solve, and create linear equations and inequalities, as well as analyse and fluently solve equations and systems of equations using multiple techniques.
  • Linear equations in one variable.
  • Linear equations in two variables.
  • Linear functions.
  • Systems of two linear equations in two variables.
  • Linear inequalities in one or two variables.
≈35% / 13-15 questions
Advanced Math
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to progress to more advanced math courses, including an understanding of absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical, and other nonlinear equations.
  • Equivalent expressions.
  • Nonlinear equations in one variable and systems of equations in two variables.
  • Nonlinear functions.
≈35% / 13-15 q
Problem solving and Data Analysis
  • Students will apply quantitative reasoning about ratios, rates, and proportional relationships; understand and apply unit rate and analyse and interpret one- and two-variable data.
  • Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and Units.
  • Percentages
  • One-variable data: distributions and measures of centre and spread.
  • Two-variable data: models and scatterplots.
  • Probability and conditional probability.
  • Inference from sample statistics and margin of error.
  • Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments.
≈15% / 5-7 questions
Geometry and Trigonometry
  • Students will solve problems focusing on area and volume, angles, triangles, trigonometry, and circles.
  • Area and volume.
  • Lines, angles, and triangles.
  • Right triangles and trigonometry.
  • Circles.
≈15%/5-7 questions.

Check out: SAT Exam Last Minute Tips

Digital SAT Test Dates 2024

Here are the anticipated Digital SAT exam dates for 2024

SAT Digital Test Date 2024

SAT Registration Deadline 

Deadline for Changes, and Regular Cancellation 

March 9, 2024

February 23, 2024

February 27, 2024

May 4, 2024

April 19, 2024

April 23, 2024

June 1, 2024

May 16, 2024

May 21, 2024

Anticipated SAT Dates 2024

The following are the anticipated SAT exam dates for the year 2024 for international students who are planning to apply for admission abroad:

  • August 24, 2024
  • October 5, 2024
  • November 2, 2024
  • December 7, 2024

These anticipated SAT exam dates have been sourced from the College Board website.

Students who are taking the SAT digital need to borrow a device from College Board and will need to register and request their device earlier than the registration deadline, to allow time for international shipping.

Check out: Which Countries Accept SAT Scores?

Conclusion

A sufficient amount of practice and preparation is required for the SAT in order to prepare for the test pattern and manage time effectively. The SAT Course prepares you to take the SAT Mathematics and English proficiency tests. The digital SAT exam is not entirely different from the pen-paper test. Both versions require hard work and practice. It is, however, important for students to be aware of the changes in the SAT so that they can prepare accordingly. You can get started by reading the above information on the new digital SAT exam. Don’t wait any longer to begin your study abroad endeavours. Start today!

Locations Where Edoxi Offers SAT Training

Here is the list of other major locations where Edoxi offers SAT Training

SAT Course in Dubai SAT Course in Sharjah | SAT Course in Qatar | 

DHA, NCLEX

Blessy is an experienced medical instructor who specialises in Prometric courses and NCLEX preparation. She has a wealth of knowledge in healthcare education and is highly skilled in teaching and training healthcare professionals. Her main aim is to support students in passing their Prometric exams and NCLEX certification by providing them with comprehensive and up-to-date study materials, personalised instruction, and hands-on practice exams.

Blessy's teaching approach centers on creating a supportive and engaging learning environment that encourages critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and effective test-taking strategies. She is committed to professional development and keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and advancements in the medical field. As part of her commitment, she regularly attends workshops, conferences, and seminars to enhance her expertise, ensuring that her students receive the most relevant and valuable education.

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