We have previously discussed how the SAT format will be going fully digital (here). This change is coming up very soon! Below are additional details of the timeline, so you can feel prepared for the change when it happens – or make arrangements to take one of the few remaining dates for the pencil and paper version of the SAT. The ACT is another option: it will remain fully pencil-and-paper for the foreseeable future.
The College Board has already released 4 digital versions of the new adaptive tests, which you can access through their Bluebook digital platform. These tests are also available in linear form (slightly longer but not adaptive) on paper for students who have paper-based accommodations.
Your New “Big Blue Book:” The Official SAT Study Guide:
College Board will also release a new version of The Official Digital SAT Study Guide on August 1, 2023 – currently available for pre-order from Amazon. According to Amazon’s description, the book will include the College Board’s 4 digital sample tests, along with 300 pages of additional information, detailed explanations, extra examples, and descriptions.
International Test:
For International students, the SAT has already transitioned to the Digital version entirely. Students testing outside of the US or the US territories have already taken or will take the Digital SAT March 11, May 6, and June 3, 2023.
The anticipated schedule for the 2023-24 school year for testing outside of the US is:
August 26, 2023 – DIGITAL
October 7, 2023 – DIGITAL
November 4, 2023 – DIGITAL
December 2, 2023 – DIGITAL
March 9, 2024 – DIGITAL
May 4, 2024 – DIGITAL
June 1, 2024 – DIGITAL
In the US:
Starting in the Fall 2023, in the US, PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and the PSAT/NMSQT tests will all be the Digital versions. The Digital PSAT/NMSQT will be administered Saturday, October 14, 2023. For next year’s 11th grade students, the Digital SAT test will be what is offered for the School Day test in the School Day testing window of March 4 – April 26, 2024.
There will be a few remaining Pencil and Paper SAT dates before the College Board transitions completely to the Digital SAT:
May 6, 2023
June 3, 2023
August 26, 2023
October 7, 2023
November 4, 2023
December 2, 2023
March 9, 2024 – DIGITAL
May 4, 2024 – DIGITAL
June 1, 2024 – DIGITAL
So, starting in 2024, the complete College Board SAT suite of tests will only be offered through their Digital platform. If you or your student really prefers the paper and pencil format, plan to take the SAT on one of the few remaining dates in the calendar year 2023. Remember, the pencil and paper format will still be an option for the ACT.
Faster Test Results!
One welcome and highly anticipated feature of the Digital SAT is how quickly you will get your scores back after testing. The College Board will be able to release your scores within days of taking the digital test, as opposed to the few weeks required to get the paper bubble sheets sent back to be officially turned into a score. Also, you no longer need to worry about bubbling! No more wondering if the machine read your answers correctly!
Continuing Series
In subsequent blogs we will explore more deeply into the test structure, material content, question types, and scales. Also in subsequent blogs, we will share additional information about students’ experiences so far with the Digital format. The Digital SAT has been offered internationally starting in March 2023, and many other students were involved in taking early experimental drafts of the Digital SAT alongside the pencil and paper versions to help ensure that the scales of the two versions were comparable. We will explore feedback from these early digital SAT test-takers. Spoiler alert: the feedback has been quite positive so far!
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