As of March 2023, students taking the SAT at international test centres, including those sitting the exam in Canada, will take the digital version.
What will the changes look like?
- The test will be 2 hours as opposed to 3.
- The exam is now divided into 2 sections (Reading & Writing and Math)
- Reading passages are far shorter; whereas in the past, you would answer multiple questions connected to one passage, you can now expect one question to be tied to each text.
- Math questions will also be more succinct.
How will adaptive testing impact my score?
The SAT is now divided into modules. You will begin with an introductory module where you will be asked a variety of questions ranging in difficulty.
- Reading & Writing contains two stages of 27 questions in 32 minutes.
- Math contains two stages of 22 questions in 35 minutes.
How you perform in the first module will determine the difficulty level of your second module. If you score well, you will be given more challenging questions in the second module.
Will this alter how I need to prepare?
What’s important to remember is that these changes don’t require you to significantly alter how you prep for the exam. As with the original version of the SAT, we encourage all students to set a consistent study schedule in the months and weeks leading up to the exam.
What can I do to prepare?
- Familiarize yourself with the new layout of the exam. The SAT has provided sample linear practice tests on the College Board website, and these are a great place to start.
- Try to complete at least one full-length digital exam before your test date.
If you have any questions about the changes to the SAT or how you can best prepare, Options is here to help. Our team of Writing Coaches work with students one-on-one to prep for both the SAT and ACT; alternatively, consider registering for our spring workshop: Super Skills Saturdays, where you will learn test-taking strategies and prep for all components of the exam. Please contact administration for more information.
