New Digital SAT Format vs. Old Paper SAT Format (2024)

The SAT exam has gone through many changes over the years, including most recently in 2024. Anyone—anywhere in the world—taking the SAT today now takes the test in its new digital format (instead of the old, paper-based format). If you’re a student gearing up for the exam, you might be wondering how this change affects you. Is the new version of the test harder? Do you need to adjust your study strategies? We’ll answer those questions as we explore the new Digital SAT format in detail.

• The New Digital SAT Format
• The Digital SAT Reading & Writing Section
• The Digital SAT Math Section
• Additional Tools and Features of the Digital SAT Format
• The New Digital SAT vs. The Old Paper SAT
• Is the New SAT Harder?
• Do You Need to Study Differently for the Digital SAT?

The New Digital SAT Format

Test Structure

The new Digital SAT format is, of course, just that: digital. That means you’ll be taking the test on a computer or tablet instead of on paper. You’ll have roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes to answer 98 total questions.

The test is split into two sections: Reading & Writing and Math. Each of those sections is also divided into two separate modules. Note that the sections and modules always come in the same order.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the test’s structure:
 

Module Adaptivity

One essential thing to know about the Digital SAT is that the difficulty of the 2nd module in a section adapts based on your performance in the 1st module. In other words, this is what your experience on the test will look like:

• Module 1: You’ll get a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions
• Module 2: If you do well on Module 1, you’ll see harder questions; otherwise, you’ll see easier questions

The Digital SAT Reading & Writing Section

The Reading & Writing Section is a total of 54 multiple-choice questions in 64 minutes. Let’s take a look at what those questions entail:

Passage and Question Format

Short Passages: Each question is based on its own brief passage (about 25-150 words).

Variety of Topics: Passages cover a wide range of subjects, including literature, science, history, and social studies.

One Question per Passage: Each question focuses on assessing specific skills without requiring extensive reading.

Categories of Questions

The Reading & Writing questions are divided into four main categories, each of which tests different skills:

• 1. Craft and Structure
• Understanding word meanings in context
• Analyzing text structure and purpose
• 2. Information and Ideas
• Identifying main ideas and details
• Interpreting data from charts and graphs
• 3. Standard English Conventions
• Grammar, usage, and punctuation
• Sentence structure and formation
• 4. Expression of Ideas
• Improving clarity, style, and tone
• Organizing ideas logically

For more details about the individual question types that fall under each category—along with tips on how to approach them—check out our Top SAT Reading Tips.

The Digital SAT Math Section

The Math Section is a total of 44 questions in 70 minutes. Unlike the Reading & Writing section, the math section has two different question formats: multiple choice and grid-in. Grid-in—or “student-produced responses”—are questions without any answer choices, so you have to supply your own answer. Both of these question types test your problem-solving and analytical skills.

You can use a calculator—whether you bring your own approved one or use the built-in graphing calculator—on the entire section.

Categories of Questions

The Math section questions are also divided into four main areas, each testing different skills:

• 1. Algebra
• Linear equations (like y = 3x + 10) and inequalities
• Systems of equations (like being given 2y + 4x = 10 and 3y + 5x = 14)
• 2. Advanced Math
• Nonlinear expressions (like x² + 4y² = 44)
• Functions and their properties (like f(x) = 7z + 3)
• 3. Problem Solving and Data Analysis
• Ratios, percentages, and proportional reasoning
• Interpreting and synthesizing data
• 4. Geometry and Trigonometry
• Area and volume calculations
• Right triangles and trigonometric functions

For tips on how to approach the math section as well as sample math questions, check out our article on SAT Math Practice.

Additional Tools and Features of the Digital SAT Format

Since the SAT is now taken a computer, you have access to more tools that you should definitely take advantage of:

Flagging Questions: You can bookmark any question that you’d like to return to later. Thus, if you’re struggling with a question, take your best guess, flag it, and then jump back to it to try again if you have time remaining once you’ve finished a module.

Highlighting and Note-Taking: You can highlight important text in passages to make it stand out or even leave yourself digital notes to help you remember important details.

On-Screen Graphing Calculator: On the Math section, if you don’t bring your own calculator, you can use the built-in graphing calculator to access functionalities like graphing equations and analyzing functions.

The New Digital SAT vs. The Old Paper SAT

Similarities Between the Digital SAT and the Paper SAT

Despite the shift in format, the Digital SAT retains many of the core elements of the traditional test:

• Purpose: It is designed to assess college readiness by measuring your critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Use: It is accepted by colleges and universities for admissions purposes.
• Core Subjects: It still focuses on the same main areas: evidenced-based Reading and Writing, and Mathematics.
• Scoring Scale: The Digital SAT maintains the 200-to-1600 overall scale, and each section is scored between 200 and 800.

Differences Between the Digital SAT and the Paper SAT

Along with the obvious difference in medium (computer—with its additional tools and features mentioned earlier—vs. paper), the transition to a digital format brings several notable changes:

• Adaptive Testing: The Paper SAT couldn’t adapt to your performance since all the questions were preselected ahead of time. However, the Digital SAT analyzes your performance on the first module in a section and then adjusts the difficulty of the 2nd module accordingly.
• Shorter Duration: The Digital SAT is a little over two hours long, whereas the Paper SAT was three hours long.
• Organization: The Digital SAT is just two sections, whereas the Paper SAT had four: Math (No Calculator), Math (with Calculator), Reading, and a separate Writing section.
• Content: Though many of the topics and question types remain the same on the Digital SAT, one key difference is its passages on the Reading & Writing section. The Paper SAT had very long passages (500 to 700 words!) that asked multiple questions about the passage. Contrast that with the new version, where the passages are much shorter and ask only a single question.
• Calculator Use: The Paper SAT limited your access to the calculator to a single section, whereas the Digital SAT lets you access it on any math problem.

Is the New SAT Harder?

The difficulty level of the Digital SAT is intended to be similar to that of the Paper SAT. The adaptive nature of the test aims to provide a more precise measure of a student’s abilities by adjusting the difficulty of questions based on their performance. Here’s what this means for you:

Adaptive Testing: If you answer questions correctly, you may receive more challenging questions in subsequent sections. Conversely, incorrect answers may lead to slightly easier questions.

Performance Reflection: The adaptive format can make the test feel more tailored to your skill level, potentially reducing the frustration of encountering too many questions that are either too easy or too hard.

Overall, whether the test feels harder may depend on your comfort with the digital format and adaptive testing rather than the content itself. Give our free Digital SAT practice test a try to see for yourself!

Do You Need to Study Differently for the Digital SAT?

Much of the content remains the same or similar, so how you will study won’t change in that regard. The only major content change is that Reading & Writing passages are much shorter and only come with a single question. Thus, you’ll want to practice quickly understanding and analyzing brief passages.

As for the Digital SAT as a whole, you do want to familiarize yourself with its format ahead of time so that you don’t run into any surprises on test day. This means taking Digital SAT practice tests and learning how to effectively use features like flagging questions and passage highlighting tools.

Likewise, since you can use the calculator on every math question now, make sure you’re adept at using either your own or the on-screen one provided to you during the test. The more that calculator usage is second nature to you, the better you can pace yourself through the Math section.

Lastly, you’ll want to get comfortable with the adaptive modules. Treat each question with equal importance, as early performance can influence the difficulty of later questions. Additionally, stay positive and remember that encountering harder questions can be a good sign that you’re performing well!

Closing Thoughts

While the format and some features have changed, the essence of the test—the assessment of your readiness for college—remains the same. By understanding these changes and adjusting your preparation strategies accordingly, you can approach the Digital SAT with confidence. Gain even more confidence with a Magoosh SAT Premium Plan, which gives you access to more Digital SAT practice tests and questions, as well as lessons covering all the content and strategies you need to know for the exam.