Digital SAT Updates

In the 2024 school year, College Board has officially switched to an all-digital model for the SAT. This comes as a significant change from the former paper and pencil model that was utilized for the past several decades. College Board representative Priscilla Rodriguez stated that based on information gleaned from focus groups, students found digital testing to be less complicated and more natural than other alternatives. Students expressed feelings of anxiety when taking the physical SAT and had more confidence when it was administered digitally. This comes as no surprise considering the amount of technology that has been integrated into modern education structures. Because of this, 2024 is the first year that the SAT will be fully adapted to a digital format for all students.

In practice, this means students must take the SAT on their own electronic devices or devices provided by their schools. The digital exam will be administered through an app called Bluebook. This app requires access to an internet connection though College Board claims that the exam takes up very little bandwidth. As an added precaution, the app will automatically save all progress within the exam so that students do not risk losing their work due to internet outages.

College Board is confident in their digital SAT infrastructure as this is not the first time they’ve offered the exam digitally. Throughout 2023 international students took the digital SAT and many high school students took the digital PSAT in the fall of the same year. Thus, College Board believes that the digital SAT will be a successful step towards modernizing the exam for students in the years to come.

Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator

kayley@testprepchicago.com

607-848-1266

Final Paper SAT on December 2, 2023

December 2nd, 2023, which is the final SAT date of 2023, also signifies the final administration of the traditional paper-based SAT. The College Board has decided to exclusively shift to a digital format moving forward, representing a significant transition in standardized testing methods. Students in the USA, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, will take the new digital test starting in March of 2024, while international students have had the option to take the new digital SAT since March of this year.

The paper SAT has been a longstanding tradition, but with this final administration, the College Board is embracing technology and emphasizing adaptability and innovation in testing practices. To read more about the digital SAT, click here.

Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266