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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the ultimate guide to the new digital sat format.

SAT General Info

When the College Board rolled out its new digital SAT format in spring 2023 for international students and in March 2024 for U.S. students, it was one of the most significant changes the company has made to the standardized test in its 97-year history. This major transition is intended to make the exam more equitable and to reduce test-taking anxiety by aligning the format with how students are already learning online.

But what precisely is changing? There’s much to know beyond the move from analog to digital. In this article, we’ll provide everything you need to know about the new SAT format so you can prepare effectively.

Key Differences in the New Digital SAT Format

Many aspects of the new digital SAT will not be changing from those of the pencil-and-paper version. For example, the test assesses the same basic skills, it will still be scored on a 1600-point scale , you’ll still need to take the exam at an official testing center, and you’ll still be able to take extra time or use assistive technology if you’re approved for accommodations . 

But the new test promises several important changes you’ll want to be ready for. Here are the six major differences between the current and new versions of the SAT.

Computers Are Replacing Pencil and Paper

Forgetting their required two No. 2 pencils on the day of the paper exam has led to outright panic for test takers. But with the new format, bubble answer sheets will soon be a thing of the past because 100% of the SAT will be administered on a computer . 

When you register, you can choose to take the SAT on a testing center computer or to bring a laptop or tablet that you own or that you’ve borrowed from your school, family, or friends. 

If you’re bringing your own device, it must be able to connect to Wi-Fi. It must also be running approved operating systems and have a certain amount of free space available; you can review the specifications for individual devices here . Finally, make sure you’ve downloaded the Bluebook testing software and fully charged your computer the morning of the test . 

Whether you’re using a testing site/school device or your own, you’ll also be allowed to bring your own mouse. And if you’re using a tablet, you can bring a keyboard, although you cannot use an external keyboard if using a laptop. If you’re using a school- or testing site–provided computer, you’ll just need to check that any external advice you plan to bring is compatible.

If you don’t have access to a computer and can’t borrow one the day you take the SAT, the testing company has you covered. When you register, you may ask that a computer issued by the College Board be shipped to the testing center . You’ll need to request it at least 30 days before the exam date and supply the name of an adult (e.g., a teacher, counselor, school administrator, or advisor) to vouch for you.

Should you lose power or your Internet connection during the test, all is not lost! The online SAT saves your work frequently, so you won’t sacrifice any progress you’ve made after you’ve reconnected.

Calculator Use

Speaking of devices, the print version of the SAT currently allows calculators on only one portion of the two-part Math section. By contrast, the digital SAT format will allow you to use a calculator on the entire Math section . And like your No. 2 pencil, you won’t need to remember to bring your calculator—or bring the right kind—because the digital SAT provides an onscreen calculator if you don’t already own one. 

Later in this post, we’ll talk more about what to expect of the Desmos Calculator embedded in the testing app. But if you prefer to bring your own graphing or scientific calculator, just make sure it’s on the College Board’s list of accepted devices . Note that you’re only allowed to use battery-operated, handheld calculators, and you will be seated away from other test takers if your device has characters that are one inch or higher or has a raised display that could be visible to the other students.

The Test Will Now Adapt to You

 The online SAT will be whittled down from its current three sections (Reading, Writing and Language, and Math) to two: Reading and Writing is the first while Math is the second. Each section will be further divided into two parts, called modules . 

You’ll answer questions in the first module before moving on to the second. But the questions in the second module will change for each test taker depending on how they performed on the first module . 

Thanks to this new adaptive format, the digital SAT will be more tailored to your individual needs and improve how precisely the exam assesses your skills.

A Shorter Test

 With fewer sections and a more adaptive format, the new digital test will be significantly shorter. The current pencil-and-paper exam takes approximately 3 hours; the digital SAT will take 2 hours and 14 minutes and offer more time to answer each question . 

For example, passages in the Reading and Writing section will be shorter, and you’ll have to answer only a single question per passage. And because questions across the entire test will be more direct and concise, you’ll be better able to concentrate on each question and have more time to answer it.

You’ll Get Your Scores Back Sooner

 With the new digital format, you’ll receive your SAT scores within days, not weeks . Knowing how you performed sooner means you’ll have extra time to determine which scores to send and to which schools . It also means you can take the SAT later and still meet college admission deadlines—and therefore have more time to study for the test. 

Alternatively, quicker scoring is a benefit if you’re planning to take the SAT multiple times to achieve the highest scores possible: you’ll have less time to wait to decide whether another try is necessary.

Increased Security

If a single test taker’s paper form has been compromised, the College Board will sometimes cancel the scores of all the students who were taking the exam at the same time and location. Moreover, test leaks and cheating scandals in recent years have led to delays and cancellations of score reports. But the new online SAT will offer far greater security: each student receives a unique digital test form, which deters the sharing of answers and makes cancellation far less likely.

The Content and Timing of the Digital SAT

Now that you know the overarching changes between the paper and digital versions of the SAT, let’s delve into the new SAT’s content, structure, and timing.

The Reading and Writing Section

The current version of the SAT features a 65-minute Reading section of 52 questions and a 35-minute Writing and Language (W&L) section of 44 questions. In the combined Reading and Writing (R&W) Section of the new digital SAT, there will be two modules, each taking 32 minutes and comprising 27 questions.

The reading passages in the digital SAT will be shorter than those on the paper exam, and instead of answering multiple questions in response to a single passage, you’ll now answer only one. Just be aware that these shorter excerpts will be just as challenging to read, if not more challenging, than those used on the current paper test. 

On the paper SAT, the Reading and Writing and Language sections are structured according to the topics represented by the passages. The five Reading excerpts focus on literature, history, science, another history topic, and another science topic—often in that specific order. The four Writing and Language excerpts focus on history, career, the humanities, and science—but their order can differ.

The new SAT will feature a greater range of topics, tones, and styles than the analog test, with more questions stemming from the humanities and a few poetry questions added (often by authors from the early 1900s and before). However, the passages and their corresponding questions will be grouped by the skill set they’re testing rather than by the reading topic . You can expect each Reading and Writing module on the digital SAT to assess these skills:

• Information and Ideas (12–14 questions): Use details from brief texts, tables, and infographics to determine the main idea, choose the best evidence to support a claim, answer comprehension questions, or infer the most logical way to complete an excerpt.
• Craft and Structure (13–15 questions): Define words and phrases that appear in lines of poetry or sentences of prose, evaluate how passages are making arguments, or connect ideas presented in two excerpts (e.g., determining whether one idea builds on another or whether two paragraphs are making similar or different claims).
• Expression of Ideas (8–12 questions): Select the transitional word or phrase that makes the author’s meaning clearer for readers, or use a short set of provided notes to decide which of the answers achieves a particular purpose (e.g., which answer represents a comparison, or which answer represents a contrast).
• Standard English Conventions (11–15 questions): Choose answers that reflect your knowledge of conventional grammar and mechanics.

The order and number of these types of questions will differ because, according to the College Board, each student will receive a unique test form.

The Math Section

In the analog version of the SAT, the Math portion comprises a 25-minute No-Calculator section of 20 questions and a 55-minute Calculator section with 38 questions. With the new digital SAT format, Math will be 70 minutes long and 44 questions, divided equally between two modules, and you can use a calculator on the entire section.

The digital SAT will no longer test reading skills in the Math section. The paper version of the Math section sometimes includes harder-to-understand word problems. The online format will instead feature more concise, straightforward questions that focus on your mathematical understanding rather than your reading ability.

The Math topics tested on the digital SAT remain the same as those in the paper test, but they’ve been renamed:

• Algebra (previously called Heart of Algebra; 13–15 questions): Develop, analyze, or solve linear equations and inequalities as well as systems of equations.
• Advanced Math (previously called Passport to Advanced Math; 13–15 questions): Create, interpret, or solve a variety of problem types, such as quadratic equations, polynomial operations, or absolute-value equations.
• Problem Solving and Data Analysis (no name change; 5–7 questions): Answer prompts about ratios, rates, or proportions; convert units; calculate percentages; analyze data with one or two variables; or infer data and evaluate claims from statistics.
• Geometry and Trigonometry (previously called Additional Topics in Math; 5–7 questions): Solve problems involving perimeter, area, or volume; angles, triangles, or trigonometry; and circles. The digital SAT will have nearly double the number of geometry and trigonometry questions as the paper version (15% of the section as opposed to the previous 8%).

As with the Reading and Writing section, the order and number of the prompt types will change for each student.

Within these four topics, you’ll also see two question formats:

• Multiple choice: You’ll select one out of four possible choices supplied on the test.
• Grid-in, aka student-produced, response: You’ll need to develop your own answer and then input your answers digit by digit rather than choosing from a group of possible solutions.

What Will the Digital SAT Format Look Like?

One great way to get an insider’s view of the new digital SAT is to take official practice tests on the College Board’s Bluebook app or on Khan Academy . The images below provide you with a quick preview of the new format.

If you’re familiar with the SAT paper test, you’ll notice how the Reading and Writing prompt is much shorter. The same applies to Math questions like this one:

Note, too, how you have to answer only one question per passage or graph.

Tools Featured in the New SAT

When you take the new version of the standardized exam, you won’t be able to access any other apps while testing. However, the digital SAT platform will include a host of helpful tools to help you navigate the exam. Let’s take a look at the test’s new and updated features.

The Desmos Onscreen Calculator

If you own and regularly use a personal handheld calculator, you’re allowed to bring it to the test if it’s an approved device . But built into the Bluebook testing application is a Desmos graphing calculator that you can use on the entire Math section . It allows you to graph lines and curves, plot points, locate x- and y-intercepts, and complete various other calculations.

If you’re planning to use the Desmos calculator, experiment with the device online and in practice tests to familiarize yourself with its various capabilities well before test day. The embedded onscreen device also includes updated accessibility features, such as compliance with screen readers and other assistive technologies, so you’ll want to test out those elements as well if you’ll be using them.

The Online Notepad

In Bluebook, you won’t be able to mark up graphs, charts, or diagrams in the test. But the digital SAT features an online notepad if you tend to do scratch work when completing math problems . Alternatively, you can bring a pen or pencil, and the proctor will provide paper if requested. 

You won’t receive credit for any of your scratch work. But using the online notepad or provided paper can be useful for sketching out calculations or double-checking your solutions.

The Countdown Clock

The digital SAT format will feature a countdown timer at the top of your testing screen so that you’ll know how much time is remaining in any given stage. If the clock causes you anxiety, you can choose to hide it. Whether on screen or hidden, you’ll be alerted when you have five minutes remaining on the module.

Mark-for-Review and Strikethrough Tools

In older digital versions of certain standardized tests, such as the GRE, test takers were required to answer one question at a time before moving forward; you could not return to earlier questions, even in the same section. On the digital SAT, however, you can move back and forth between questions as long as they are in the current module.

The new format also features a tool that allows you to mark questions that you want to return to:

This can be a terrific time-saver: if you arrive at a prompt that’s challenging you, you can mark it, move on to other questions in the same stage, and then return to those you flagged after you’ve finished the easier prompts.

You’ll notice that you can also strike through answer options you know to be incorrect . So if you read through a question and can eliminate even one or two of the four possibilities but can’t quite choose between the remaining choices, you can strike through the incorrect options, mark the question for review, and then come back to it later when you have more time to think through it.

A Math Reference Popout

For the Math section, you won’t have to memorize common formulas because during the test, you’ll be able to access a reference popout. It includes reminders such as how to calculate the circumference or area of a circle, the hypotenuse of a right triangle, and the volume of cylinders and cones.

How Does the Adaptive Format Work?

The new digital SAT is shorter than the paper format because the exam adapts to your skills and abilities as you move through each module. Let’s briefly examine what this looks like.

The SAT’s digital format is organized in this way: Reading and Writing Module 1, Reading and Writing Module 2, Math Module 1, and Math Module 2 (there’s a break between the Reading and Writing section and the Math section). Every student will take the exam in this order.

Reading and Writing Module 1 contains easy, medium, and hard prompts. At the end of the first module, the test will use your performance to determine whether you’ll continue to an easier or more challenging version of Reading and Writing Module 2. The same concept applies to the Math section: Math Module 1 contains three levels of difficulty, and the exam will choose either an easier or harder version of Math Module 2 based on how well you did on the first Math stage.

Because the SAT adapts only twice (once between the two Reading and Writing modules and a second time between the two Math stages) rather than adapting with every question, the stakes are lower with each individual question. So you don’t need to stress out if you’re feeling flummoxed by any one particular prompt on the exam. The adaptive nature of the digital SAT also means your score will more accurately reflect your skills and knowledge.

Tips for Taking The Digital SAT

Getting acquainted with the new digital SAT format is one of the most important things you can do to prepare yourself for test day. Here are a few more tips for navigating the online SAT.

Use Practice Tests to Prepare

If you’re planning to take the digital SAT multiple times to improve your results, keep in mind that you won’t learn how many questions you got correct or incorrect in either section or how your score was consequently calculated. That’s because each student receives a unique test that adapts to their individual level, and the questions are weighted differently—your score isn’t based on a simple tally of right and wrong answers . Furthermore, the College Board plans to reuse questions from test to test, so to deter cheating, no student will have access to the questions on their individual tests after exiting the exam.

Because you won’t know how your score was tabulated or have access to the questions on your individualized SAT, you won’t be able to use any actual test to learn from your mistakes or determine which strategies worked. So if you’re looking to raise your results on the next actual test, you’ll need to use your practice tests to elevate your performance . As you study, mimic actual test-taking conditions by completing sample exams in a quiet room with no distractions, pay careful attention to answer explanations, diagnose areas you’ll need to drill on, and keep track of the strategies that work for you on correct answers.

Focus on Working Swiftly but Accurately 

Given that questions are weighted differently, your goal on testing day should simply be to answer as many questions correctly as you can within the allotted time . 

For efficiency, memorize the directions for each type of prompt ahead of time so you can get to work immediately on the actual exam questions. But peruse each reading passage and math question carefully to make sure you know what it’s asking and what to think about as you’re answering.

Use the Embedded Tools

Unless you’re a mental math whiz, use the online notepad or the provided paper to run calculations and plot out notes or diagrams. Use the Desmos Calculator to solve more complex problems, but don’t lose precious seconds or minutes by using the calculator if you can confidently solve problems without it. And don’t forget to select the Reference icon if you need a quick refresher on common Math formulas. 

Throughout both the Math and Reading and Writing sections, remember that you can mark difficult problems for review and come back to them after you’ve solved easier ones. 

Use the Process of Elimination

On multiple-choice questions, it can sometimes be easier to identify incorrect answers than to determine the right ones, so use the Strikethrough tool to eliminate the ones you know are wrong. You might find that you land on the correct choice through a process of elimination. And since you earn points only for correct answers but never lose points for incorrect answers , narrowing your choices to two and then hazarding a guess means a greater probability for earning points than choosing randomly from all four possibilities.

Double-Check Your Work

If you finish any module early, take the time to double-check your answers, assuring that you’ve selected or typed in the exact answers you intended and revisited questions you were less certain about . On the two Math modules, you can also use the Desmos Calculator to make sure you’ve given reasonable responses to questions on which you didn’t initially use the embedded device. And for any grid-in/student-produced response questions, make sure you’ve input your answer accurately because there’s a greater possibility of error than on multiple-choice prompts.

We know that adjusting to a new format for the SAT can be stressful, but with a clear understanding of what to expect and careful practice, you can go into test day feeling prepared and confident. Happy studying, and we wish you all the best as you take on the new digital SAT!

What’s Next?

What counts as a great, average, or poor result on the new digital SAT? Our expert guides explain which scores to aim for and the minimum scores needed for college admission .

Do you need to take the digital SAT for college admissions? For the past 50+ years, universities have offered test-optional admissions. So should you even bother taking the digital SAT? Our post provides you with the information you need to decide whether you should go test optional .

Did you know that some schools guarantee you scholarships just for earning a specific SAT score? Check out our blog post on where to find and how to apply for these merit-based opportunities .

Meilee Bridges earned her PhD and MA in English language and literature from the University of Michigan and graduated summa cum laude from the Honors English Program at Trinity University. A former professor turned professional writer and editor, she is dedicated to supporting the educational goals of students from all backgrounds.

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Upcoming Changes to the SAT for 2023 and 2024

In January 2022, the College Board (CB for brevity) announced a sweeping revamp of the SAT, its flagship college admissions test. The changes took effect for non-US testers earlier this year (2023), and they’ll be implemented for domestic testers at the beginning of 2024. These adjustments are the most dramatic shift in the world of high school standardized testing since… the last time the SAT reinvented itself, in 2016.

Sarcasm aside, the upcoming changes are substantial, and they will affect the way students prepare for the SAT to a commensurate degree. With many rising juniors now beginning the process of choosing and preparing for either the SAT or the ACT, your friendly neighborhood test experts are here to cover the changes to the SAT coming in 2024: what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and how it affects you. Let’s dive in.

An Overview of the Current SAT

The SAT is one of the two standardized tests utilized by colleges during the admissions process, with the other being the ACT . Comprised of four sections that contain a mix of multiple-choice questions and grid-in math problems, the SAT has a maximum possible composite score of 1600 points. The test bordered on a mandatory rite of passage for high school juniors and seniors for many years; despite the current proliferation of test-optional admissions policies prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of aspiring college freshmen still sit for the SAT each year, oftentimes more than once.

The structure of the current version of the SAT is as follows:

SAT Structure Through December 2023

Until recently, there was an optional fifth section of the test that was comprised of one essay prompt; however, that Writing section was eliminated a couple of years ago, and it is currently only administered on School Day testing dates in specific states.

What Are the SAT Changes for 2023 and 2024?

Now that we’ve covered the structure of the current paper-and-pencil SAT (which is still available to US-based students for 5-6 more months), let’s discuss the changes that are coming at the beginning of next year. Here are the high-level SAT changes that American students can expect to see starting in 2024.

(Note that we’re not diving into all of the content and question-type changes within each individual section; I’ll be covering that more rigorously in a future post.)

Digital Format

The first and most obvious change is that the new SAT will be an entirely digital test. The test will be administered through the Bluebook testing app, which must be downloaded to the student’s device prior to test day. This means no more bubble sheets and no more #2 pencils—just a laptop or tablet, which can be either a personal device that you bring to the testing center or a loaner device that you borrow from College Board or your school for the test.

Fewer (Types of) Sections

As I outlined above, the current paper-and-pencil SAT has four different section-types: Reading, Writing & Language, Math No Calculator, and Math with Calculator. The new digital SAT, however, will have only two: Reading & Writing and Math. Because there will be two modules of each of these two section-types, the total number of sections will remain at four; however, the number of different sections you need to prepare for will be cut in half.

See below for a table containing more details about the breakdown of the new section structure.

Shorter Test

Though the number of sections that makes up the test isn’t changing, you’ll notice if you compare the two tables above that the new version of the SAT will be significantly shorter: 2 hours and 14 minutes of testing time for the digital test compared to 3 hours of testing time for the current paper-and-pencil test. If you’re anywhere close to as lazy as I was in high school, this will be music to your ears.

Adaptive Structure

One of the less visible but still significant changes coming with the digital SAT is the introduction of a section-adaptive test structure. This means that for each of the two section-types (Reading & Writing and Math), the first module will contain questions of a range of difficulty levels in order to allow the system to assess the student’s ability; then, the second module of each section-type will be selected from two options (a harder version and an easier version) by the testing algorithm based on the student’s performance on the first module.

In layman’s terms, this means that if you crush the first Math or Reading & Writing module, you can expect to see harder questions on the second; if you struggle with the first module of either section-type, your second module of that section will contain easier problems.

New Calculator Usage Options

Calculator lovers, rejoice—the day you’ve been waiting for has arrived. Whereas the current SAT has one calculator-active Math section and one calculator-inactive Math section, both Math modules on the digital SAT will be calculator active, which means that you don’t have to do a single operation in your head anymore.

Not only that, but the Bluebook testing app has a version of the Desmos graphing calculator built into its interface. This is a major win for students who aren’t especially quick at doing things like adjusting the window and finding intersection points on their personal graphing calculators, as Desmos makes those actions extremely intuitive.

And an underrated part of the new policy is that you don’t have to choose one calculator or the other: you can bring your personal calculator to do arithmetic operations if that’s easier for you, then pull up the in-app Desmos calculator for any graphing-related questions. This promises to be a substantial improvement for students who are on the lookout for opportunities to let the calculator do some of the heavy lifting for them.

SAT Changes Coming in 2024: What’s NOT Changing?

If it wasn’t clear from everything I listed above, the SAT in March 2024 is going to look VERY different from any of its previous iterations. With that being said, however, not everything will be changing when the test shifts from paper-and-pencil to digital; in fact, there are quite a few things that will be remaining the same. Below is a list of the biggies.

• No changes to testing locations: For a hot minute during the height of the COVID lockdown, College Board had big plans to roll out at-home SAT testing for students across the globe; however, those plans have been put on hold for at least the foreseeable future. Though the new SAT will be entirely digital, it will still be administered only at schools or at approved test centers.
• No changes to scoring scales: The mechanics of SAT scoring will be changing with the rollout of the digital test. Instead of depending solely on how many questions you get correct in each section, as is the case with the current scoring system, your score will also depend on the difficulty level of the questions you get right, as well as which module they were in. On a macro level, however, the overall scaled scores that students receive after all the calculations are done will look exactly the same: a Verbal (Reading & Writing) score with a max of 800 and a Math score with a max of 800, which are added together to create a composite score with a max of 1600.
• No changes to mechanics of question format: Though the new SAT will introduce some new question-types, the composition of the test in terms of question mechanics will remain more or less the same: the Reading & Writing section will consist entirely of multiple-choice questions with four possible answers, and the Math section will consist of ~75% multiple-choice questions and ~25% student-produced-response (grid-in) questions. The only real change here is the fact that grid-ins on the digital SAT will sometimes have negative answers.
• No changes to accommodations: Documentation released by College Board states that the digital SAT will “offer students with disabilities the same range of accommodations available in the paper-based suite”; the process for requesting those accommodations will also remain the same. CB’s documents also indicate that students who require a paper-based test due to a disability will still be able to access one upon receiving approval.

SAT Changes Coming in 2024: How Do They Affect You?

Reactions to all of this information will likely vary depending on the individual test-taker. I’ve worked with a number of students who would have loved to take the test on a computer, as the migration of school assignments and activities to the digital realm, which was accelerated by COVID, made them more comfortable working in that medium. On the other hand, I also know many students who value the ability to interact with the test by writing in the booklet, particularly in the Reading section.

If you fall into the latter category, I wouldn’t worry too much: reading passages on the new SAT will be substantially shorter than on the current test and will only have one question associated with them rather than 10-11, which should limit the amount of annotation that feels necessary while you read. Additionally, you’ll still have access to scratch paper on the digital test, so you’ll be able to take notes as you read even if you can’t mark directly on the passages.

One aspect of the new SAT that almost nobody is likely to complain about is the shorter testing time. A shorter test means more of your Saturday to enjoy, but it also means less mental fatigue while you’re testing; if you’re someone who tends to feel noticeably less sharp at the end of a 3-hour test than you do at the beginning, you may very well feel that your performance improves once the SAT changes in 2024.

Another consequence of the digital test format that should be universally popular is a much shorter turnaround time for scores. College Board has stated that the waiting period for testers to receive their scores should now be “days instead of weeks”; this will allow students to make decisions about repeat testing sooner, which will in turn give them more time to prep for that next test.

Finally, digital tests are more secure than paper-and-pencil tests in a number of ways. Because testers can’t return to a section once they complete it—not like “you’re not supposed to”, like “you literally can’t access it anymore”—less honest students will be unable to do things like discuss questions from previous sections during the break, then go back into the testing room and change their answers. This is a positive development for the vast majority of students who didn’t try to game the system in that way.

SAT Changes Coming in 2024: When Do They Take Effect?

As I’ve alluded to at different times in this post, the rollout for the new digital SAT suite is a multi-stage process. The new test has actually already been rolled out for international students: it began to be administered in non-US locations in spring of 2023. For domestic students, the PSAT will utilize the new digital format this year (2023-2024) for the first time; then, starting in spring of 2024, the SAT will transition to its new digital form. From that point on, the current paper-and-pencil test will no longer be available.

See below for a graphic that summarizes the timeline for the rollout of the new test.

Source: The Digital SAT Suite of Assessments Specifications Overview , Page 3

SAT Changes Coming in 2024: How to Prepare

Rising high school juniors who are starting to think about test prep are in an interesting spot right now as they decide on their best plan of action: instead of simply choosing between SAT and ACT, they’re now choosing between current SAT, new SAT, and ACT. If that applies to you, here are the main options you have and a few things to consider about each one.

Start Prepping Now and Take the Current SAT

Though the shift to the digital SAT looms large on the horizon, there are still four test dates remaining in 2023 for the current iteration of the SAT: August, October, November, and December. This means that students who are nervous about being guinea pigs for the domestic implementation of the new test still have time to prepare, test multiple times, and hopefully earn a score they’re happy with.

If that’s your plan, however, I would highly recommend starting the process ASAP. Though there is a good amount of overlap between the current SAT and the new SAT in terms of content and question-types, there are also significant differences; this means that if you get caught in a situation where you want to continue testing as the calendar rolls over into 2024, you’ll have some new material to prepare for that you wouldn’t have needed to worry about otherwise.

The advantage of taking this path is that there are a ton of materials out there for the current version of the SAT. You’ve got eight official practice tests hosted on College Board’s website , as well as a number of third-party resources (albeit of inconsistent quality) and even some unofficial previous tests floating around the internet. This provides you with plenty of ammo to get the process of preparing for and taking the SAT out of the way before the changes coming in 2024.

Wait to Prep Until the New SAT Arrives

If you don’t think you’ll realistically be able to earn an SAT score that meets your needs in the next 5-6 months, your next option is to wait for the rollout of the new test.

If you’re considering this route, note that you’ll probably want to delay starting to prep until closer to the end of 2023 because of the dearth of practice materials currently available for the digital SAT. As of now, there are only four adaptive digital practice tests available through the Bluebook app and four linear practice tests hosted on the College Board website; since the linear and adaptive tests pull from the same question pool, you’ll probably even notice some overlap between them, which means that these materials don’t really constitute eight unique tests. Khan Academy does also have some prep material for the new SAT, but it’s very limited.

The upshot of this is that it will be very hard to make this content last until the first digital test date in March 2024. It’s likely that there will be new practice material produced over the coming months, both by College Board and by third-party companies, but currently there’s simply not much. Make sure you’re timing your prep to ensure that you have enough material to be practicing consistently until your test date.

Take the ACT Instead

The final path you can choose is to totally disregard the changes to the SAT coming in 2024 and simply prep for the ACT instead. The ACT is a very different test in several ways, prioritizing problem-solving under time pressure over in-depth content knowledge; however, it’s just as learnable as the SAT, and often even more so for students who are able to read and process quickly. There is also a ton of high-quality practice content available, which means that most students won’t need to worry about running out of materials.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Whichever path you choose, we’d love to help you achieve your best possible score. Reach out today to learn more about how the Pros can help you beat the old SAT, the new SAT, or the ACT.

Looking To Improve Your Score on the SAT or ACT?

Sat changes coming in 2024: final thoughts.

We’ve covered a lot of ground today: changes to the structure and delivery of the SAT coming in 2024, aspects of the test that we know will not be changing significantly, and how all of this affects you. There will very likely be new information released over the coming months; if so, rest assured that they’ll lock me back in this dark room until I write something about it, so make sure you check back regularly for any new updates.

SAT Changes Coming in 2024: Frequently Asked Questions

Is there still an essay on the new sat.

Nope, you’ve dodged this particular bullet once again. The essay portion of the SAT was largely discontinued in 2021, and there are no indications that the digital SAT will be bringing it back.

Will the upcoming changes to the SAT make it easier?

It largely depends on the test-taker. There are changes coming to the test that many students will likely appreciate: reading passages will be shorter, students will have access to a calculator for the entirety of the Math section, and total testing time will decrease by more than 25%. This may make the test feel easier to many students; however, remember that your SAT scaled scores are calculated based in part on the performance of other students. If more students are consistently getting more questions correct, the bar for earning a high score will rise.

Is it still worth taking the SAT?

For many students, yes. Though most colleges and universities have moved to a test-optional admissions policy as a result of the COVID pandemic, test scores can still help you show admissions officers that you fit what they’re looking for in an incoming freshman. Look up the median SAT scores for the schools in which you’re most interested—if you believe that you can earn a score that’s at or above that 50% mark, it’s often a good idea to take the test.

Why are colleges dropping the SAT?

How much time do you have? The short answer is that most of them aren’t. With a few notable exceptions (looking at you, University of California system), the majority of schools have gone test-optional, not test-blind. This means that they don’t require you to submit scores with your application, but they will still consider them if you do. This upsurge in test-optional policies was largely caused by concerns about the ability of students to take the SAT safely during COVID, but it’s also the result of a series of debates about the utility of standardized tests that have been going on for years.

SAT Changes Coming in 2024: Related Reading

What’s a Good SAT Score For 2023?

What Calculators Are Allowed on the SAT?

An Overview of SAT Costs & Fees

Understanding the Differences Between the ACT & SAT

Do I Need the SAT For College? Deciding Whether or Not to Take the SAT

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SAT Changes 2023-2024: What You Need To Know

The SAT, a widely recognized standardized test used for college admissions in the United States, is undergoing changes in 2023 and 2024. These changes aim to improve the test and provide students with a fair and accurate measure of their college readiness. If you're planning to take the SAT during these years, it's crucial to stay informed about the updates to ensure you're well-prepared.

Here's what you need to know about the SAT changes in 2023-2024.

Content changes:.

The SAT will have some adjustments to its content starting in August 2023. The College Board, which administers the SAT, has indicated that the changes will focus on streamlining the test and aligning it more closely with what students are learning in school. While specific details of the content changes have not been released yet, it's important to be aware that there may be adjustments to the test's structure, question types, and emphasis on certain topics.

Optional Essay:

The SAT Essay, which was made optional in 2021, will no longer be offered starting in June 2023. This means that students taking the SAT will no longer have the option to complete the Essay section as part of their test. However, some colleges and universities may still require or recommend the SAT Essay as part of their admissions process, so it's essential to check the requirements of the schools you're interested in.

Digital Testing

The College Board has been gradually transitioning the SAT from a paper-and-pencil test to a digital format. By 2024, the SAT will be predominantly administered digitally, with paper testing options limited to certain circumstances. This means that students may need to take the test on a computer or other digital device, and it's important to familiarize yourself with the digital testing format and practice using it beforehand.

Score Reporting Changes

The College Board has introduced a new policy called "Score Choice" that allows students to choose which scores they want to send to colleges. Starting in September 2023, students will have the option to send only their best scores from individual sections of the SAT, rather than sending their entire test scores. This policy change provides more flexibility for students to strategically send their best scores to colleges, and it's important to understand how it may affect your score reporting strategy.

Fee Waivers

The College Board has also expanded access to fee waivers for eligible students, starting in the 2022-2023 school year. Fee waivers can help reduce or eliminate the costs associated with taking the SAT, including registration fees, late fees, and additional score reports. Students from low-income backgrounds or who meet other eligibility criteria may be eligible for fee waivers, and it's crucial to explore these options to ensure that cost is not a barrier to taking the SAT.

Test Dates and Deadlines

The SAT test dates and deadlines may also change in 2023-2024. It's essential to check the College Board's website for the most up-to-date information on test dates, registration deadlines, and other important dates related to the SAT. Planning ahead and registering early can help ensure that you secure a spot on your desired test date and avoid late registration fees.

Preparation Strategies

With the changes to the SAT, it's important to adapt your preparation strategies accordingly. As the test content may change, it's crucial to stay updated with the latest information from the College Board and adjust your study materials and strategies accordingly. Additionally, practicing with digital test formats, familiarizing yourself with the online tools and features, and taking practice tests in a digital format can help you prepare for the digital SAT.

When Are the SAT Changes 2023? 

The College Board has announced that the SAT changes for 2023 will be implemented starting in August 2023. This means that the updated content and format of the SAT, including the elimination of the optional Essay section and the introduction of digital testing, will be in effect from the August 2023 test administration onwards. It's important for students planning to take the SAT in or after August 2023 to familiarize themselves with the changes and prepare accordingly. It's also recommended to regularly check the College Board's website for the most up-to-date information on SAT test dates, registration deadlines, and other important updates.

Why Is the SAT Changing? 

The SAT is changing in response to feedback from students, educators, and colleges. The College Board, the organization that administers the SAT, aims to create an exam that is more relevant to students' learning and that reflects the skills needed for success in college and beyond. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to the college admissions process, leading to adjustments in standardized testing requirements and formats. The changes to the SAT aim to address these challenges and to provide a fair and accurate assessment of students' abilities.

What Are the Main Changes to the SAT? 

The main changes to the SAT in 2023 include:

Test format

The SAT will move from a paper-based test to a computer-based test. This means that students will take the test on a computer, rather than filling in a bubble sheet with a pencil.

Test content

The SAT will focus more on knowledge and skills that are important for college and career readiness. This includes a greater emphasis on math, as well as more advanced math topics like trigonometry and statistics.

The optional essay section of the SAT will be removed. This means that students will only take the main SAT test, which includes reading, writing and language, and math sections.

The overall test time will be reduced from 3 hours and 50 minutes to 3 hours. This includes removing the essay section and reducing the number of questions in other sections.

The SAT will return to the 1600-point scale, with separate scores for the math and reading/writing sections. The scoring system will also include subscores and cross-test scores to provide more detailed information about a student's performance.

Tips for Prepping for the Digital SAT

Preparing for the digital SAT requires some adjustments compared to preparing for the paper-based SAT. Here are some tips to help you effectively prep for the digital SAT:

Familiarize yourself with the digital format

Get comfortable with the computer-based testing environment by taking practice tests on a computer or a similar device. Familiarize yourself with the navigation tools, features, and functions of the digital SAT platform.

Practice time management

The digital SAT has a reduced overall test time, so practice managing your time effectively during the test. Pace yourself and make sure you are able to complete each section within the allocated time.

Enhance your digital skills

Since the digital SAT is taken on a computer, it's important to develop and improve your digital skills. Practice typing and using the on-screen tools effectively, such as highlighting, underlining, and flagging questions for review.

Practice with official digital SAT practice tests

College Board, the organization that administers the SAT, provides official digital SAT practice tests on their website. Utilize these practice tests to get a feel for the digital format and to practice your skills in a realistic testing environment.

Review test content thoroughly

Although the digital format may be different, the content of the SAT remains the same. Review all the test content thoroughly, including reading, writing and language, math, and any other sections that may be part of the SAT you are taking.

Use reliable study materials

Choose reputable study materials that are specifically designed for the digital SAT. Look for materials that closely mimic the format, content, and difficulty level of the actual test.

Take breaks

Just like with the paper-based SAT, taking breaks during your digital SAT prep can help you maintain focus and concentration. Take regular breaks during your study sessions to avoid burnout and to keep yourself refreshed.

Practice under test-like conditions

When taking practice tests, try to simulate test-like conditions as much as possible. Sit in a quiet environment, time yourself, and avoid distractions to create a realistic testing environment that closely resembles the actual test.

Analyze your practice test results

Review and analyze your practice test results to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Focus on areas that need improvement and adjust your study plan accordingly.

Seek additional help if needed

If you're struggling with certain concepts or sections of the test, don't hesitate to seek additional help. Consider getting a tutor, attending test prep classes, or utilizing online resources to reinforce your understanding of the material.

Preparing for the digital SAT requires adjusting to the computer-based format, but with practice and preparation, you can perform well on test day. Utilize these tips to effectively prep for the digital SAT and increase your chances of achieving a high score.

In conclusion, the SAT changes in 2023-2024 aim to make the exam more relevant, accessible, and equitable for all students. The key changes include a reduced number of questions, an optional essay section, and a focus on essential skills like analysis, problem-solving, and data analysis. The new digital format will also offer more flexibility and features for test-takers. To prepare for the new exam, students can take advantage of practice tests and resources available online, and work on developing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Overall, the SAT changes are designed to better align with the needs and expectations of today's students and higher education institutions.

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The Optional SAT Essay: What to Know

Tackling this section of the SAT requires preparation and can boost some students' college applications.

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Even though an increasing number of colleges are dropping standardized test requirements, students who must write the SAT essay can still stand to gain from doing so.

Although the essay portion of the SAT became optional in 2016, many students still chose to write it to demonstrate strong or improved writing skills to prospective colleges.

In June 2021, the College Board opted to discontinue the SAT essay. Now, only students in a few states and school districts still have access to — and must complete — the SAT essay. This requirement applies to some students in the SAT School Day program, for instance, among other groups.

How Colleges Use SAT, ACT Results

Tiffany Sorensen Sept. 14, 2020

Whether or not to write the SAT essay is not the biggest decision you will have to make in high school, but it is certainly one that requires thought on your part. Here are three things you should know about the 50-minute SAT essay as you decide whether to complete it:

• To excel on the SAT essay, you must be a trained reader.
• The SAT essay begs background knowledge of rhetoric and persuasive writing.
• A growing number of colleges are dropping standardized test requirements.

To Excel on the SAT Essay, You Must Be a Trained Reader

The SAT essay prompt never comes unaccompanied. On the contrary, it follows a text that is about 700 words long or approximately one page. Before test-takers can even plan their response, they must carefully read and – ideally – annotate the passage.

The multifaceted nature of the SAT essay prompt can be distressing to students who struggle with reading comprehension. But the good news is that this prompt is highly predictable: It always asks students to explain how the author builds his or her argument. In this case, "how” means which rhetorical devices are used, such as deductive reasoning, metaphors, etc.

Luckily, the author’s argument is usually spelled out in the prompt itself. For instance, consider this past SAT prompt : “Write an essay in which you explain how Paul Bogard builds an argument to persuade his audience that natural darkness should be preserved.”

Due to the essay prompt’s straightforward nature, students should read the passage with an eye toward specific devices used by the author rather than poring over “big ideas.” In tour SAT essay, aim to analyze at least two devices, with three being even better.

The SAT Essay Begs Background Knowledge of Rhetoric and Persuasive Writing

Since your SAT essay response must point to specific rhetorical devices that the author employs to convince the reader, you should make it a point to intimately know 10-15 common ones. The more familiar you are with rhetorical devices, the faster you will become at picking them out as you read texts.

Once you have read the passage and identified a handful of noteworthy rhetorical devices, you should apply many of the same essay-writing techniques you already use in your high school English classes.

For instance, you should start by brainstorming to see which devices you have the most to say about. After that, develop a concise thesis statement, incorporate quotes from the text, avoid wordiness and other infelicities of writing, close with an intriguing conclusion, and do everything else you could imagine your English teacher advising you to do.

Remember to always provide evidence from the text to support your claims. Finally, leave a few minutes at the end to review your essay for mistakes.

A Growing Number of Colleges Are Dropping Standardized Test Requirements

In recent years, some of America’s most prominent colleges and universities – including Ivy League institutions like Harvard University in Massachusetts, Princeton University in New Jersey and Yale University in Connecticut – have made submission of ACT and SAT scores optional.

While this trend began as early as 2018, the upheaval caused by COVID-19 has prompted many other schools to adopt a more lenient testing policy, as well.

Advocates for educational fairness have long expressed concerns that standardized admissions tests put underprivileged students at a disadvantage. In light of the coronavirus pandemic , which restricted exam access for almost all high school students, colleges have gotten on board with this idea by placing more emphasis on other factors in a student’s application.

To assess writing ability in alternative ways, colleges now place more emphasis on students’ grades in language-oriented subjects, as well as college application documents like the personal statement .

The fact that more colleges are lifting their ACT/SAT requirement does not imply that either test or any component of it is now obsolete. Students who must write the SAT essay can still stand to gain from doing so, especially those who wish to major in a writing-intensive field. The essay can also demonstrate a progression or upward trajectory in writing skills.

The SAT essay can give a boost to the college applications of the few students to whom it is still available. If the requirement applies to you, be sure to learn more about the SAT essay and practice it often as you prepare for your upcoming SAT.

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Tags: SAT , standardized tests , students , education

About College Admissions Playbook

Stressed about getting into college? College Admissions Playbook, authored by Varsity Tutors , offers prospective college students advice on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, SAT and ACT exams and the college application process. Varsity Tutors, an advertiser with U.S. News & World Report, is a live learning platform that connects students with personalized instruction to accelerate academic achievement. The company's end-to-end offerings also include mobile learning apps, online learning environments and other tutoring and test prep-focused technologies. Got a question? Email [email protected] .

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, what are the changes to the sat for the 2023-2024 cycle.

Hey everyone! I'm starting to plan out my SAT study schedule and I heard there might be changes to the SAT format coming soon. Can someone fill me in on what changes are expected for the 2023-2024 cycle? Curious to know how it might affect my prep plan. Thanks in advance!

Hey there! Great question, it's smart to be thinking ahead about your prep.

The College Board announced that starting in 2024, the SAT will be administered digitally. This means that instead of paper and pencil, you'll be taking the SAT on a computer.

The length of the test is being shortened to around 2 hours (versus the current 3-hour test), and the reading passages will be shorter with only one question per passage. Moreover, calculators will be allowed throughout the math section. The scoring scale will remain the same.

While you should continue to focus on the content knowledge required for the SAT, you might want to incorporate some digital practice tests into your study to get comfortable with the new format! There are plenty of resources available online to help simulate the digital testing experience. Happy studying!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

On January 19th, College Board announced a few significant updates in regards to its SAT Suite of Assessments, including the elimination of the optional essay portion of the SAT and the discontinuance of the SAT Subject Tests (SAT II tests). Let’s take a look at these changes and how they might affect students’ plans for the spring of 2021 and beyond.

In the release, College Board announced that the optional essay will be discontinued from the SAT following the June 2021 test date, with the exception of school day administrations in states which require the essay for evaluative purposes. Students currently registered to take the exam with essay between now and June will have the option to cancel the essay portion via their online account with no change fees up until the test’s registration deadline. In their statement, College Board observed: “This decision recognizes that there are other ways for students to demonstrate their mastery of essay writing. At the same time, writing remains essential to college readiness, and the SAT will continue to measure writing and editing skills.”

Although the vast majority of colleges no longer require (or even recommend, in many cases) students to submit SAT Essay scores, it is somewhat unclear what effect College Board’s announcement will have on the few schools that still utilize the essay portion of the exam in the admission process. Ultimately, the best advice for students and families is likely to check with any colleges they are interested in to see what they recommend, but it seems likely that the SAT essay will not play any role in college admissions for any students in the class of 2022 and beyond.

As a tutor aware of the pressures facing students preparing for the test, I see the announcement as a welcome change. The removal of the optional essay, which was only valued by a small number of schools and did not contribute to students’ overall composite score out of 1600, does offer many benefits to students preparing for the SAT. In addition to reducing the cost of the exam by $15, it shortens the already lengthy test by nearly an hour, which may allow students to devote more energy and focus to the four primary sections (Reading, Writing and Language, No-Calculator Math, and Calculator Math) which contribute to their overall score. Additionally, it allows students to allocate more study time towards other endeavors, whether those be further test prep, academic coursework, extracurricular activities, or even developing a stronger college admissions essay.

College Board Will No Longer Offer SAT Subject Tests

College Board also announced its discontinuation of the SAT Subject Tests, also known as SAT II tests, effective immediately in the U.S. and beginning June 2021 internationally. U.S students registered to take SAT Subject tests in this spring will have their registrations cancelled automatically and their registration fees refunded. Because the SAT Subject Tests are often used for a wider variety of purposes internationally, College Board will offer two final administrations of the exam to international students in May and June of 2021. As to how this might affect the applications of students who already took any SAT Subject Tests, College Board states:

We’ve reached out to our member colleges, and they’ll decide whether and how to consider students’ Subject Test scores. Students should check colleges’ websites for the most up-to-date information on their application policies.

Ultimately, this probably will not have a large role on the college admissions process for most schools . As of the time of the announcement, very few schools recommended students submit SAT Subject Test scores, and while each college is free to decide how to handle scores from previous administrations of the test and what effect this may have on its admission policies, it is rare for a college to alter its admissions policy in a way which penalizes a student for events that are beyond their control. 

College Board attributes its decision to discontinue the tests to the widespread availability of its AP testing, which they consider to render SAT Subject Tests as unnecessary in demonstrating students’ academic knowledge. Both AP exams and SAT Subject Tests are designed as content specific, supplemental exams which allow students to demonstrate their proficiency and interest in specific subjects, and both differ significantly from the standard SAT in their reliance on students’ prior knowledge and comprehension rather than on critical analysis and general problem solving ability. However, there are also some key differences students may wish to be aware of when deciding how to alter their test prep in absence of the SAT Subject Tests . Firstly, because AP exams offer students opportunities to earn valuable college credits, the level of rigor on the exams is closer to that of a first-year college course than to the high school curriculum covered on the SAT Subject Tests . Additionally, there are several key differences in the structure and scoring of the exams:

While the long term effects that these changes might have on students currently preparing for the exams of spring 2021 and beyond remain to be seen, understanding their immediate effects can help students develop effective plans and ease concerns. Additionally, the cancellation of the SAT Subject tests will likely allow schools to offer a greater number of seats to students seeking to register for the SAT this spring.

 I would encourage any students or families with questions or concerns to reach out to their guidance counselor or a test prep professional to discuss how this impacts their current plans.

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The SAT Essay 2022-2023: What to Expect

Last updated: March 2022

How to write the SAT essay:

• Read the prompt to understand the task.
• Read the sample passage, underlining the examples and evidence.
• Come up with a thesis statement.
• Outline your SAT essay.
• Write a draft.
• Edit it: check arguments and evidence, make sure there’s a logic in the essay.
• Proofread your SAT essay: check grammar, spelling, sentence structure, etc.

Good news for those afraid of SAT essays:

This section is optional now. It means they won’t require you to write the SAT essay this year.

Many colleges still recommend it to see your writing and critical thinking skills.

What are those colleges that require SAT essays? How long is the SAT with essays? How to write it? And what is the SAT essay, after all?

Keep on reading to find out all the details, and get ready to earn the highest score for your essay this year.

Source: Unsplash

That’s what you’ll learn in this guide:

Table of Contents:

• Organization
• The SAT essay: to take or not to take?
• How to decide when to take the SAT
• How to register for the SAT
• Top changes to SAT essays in 2022
• How to write SAT essay?
• SAT essay tips
• Colleges that require SAT essay

What is the SAT?

Invented by Carl Brigham in 1923 , the SAT is owned and developed by College Board. It’s a not-for-profit organization in the USA, with over 6,000 schools, colleges, and universities being its members.

SAT Purpose

The purpose of the SAT is to measure your readiness for college. It’s focused on the knowledge and skills you’ve got in high school, and it provides colleges with one common score to compare all applicants.

College admission officers review the SAT score alongside with your other achievements such as:

• Your high school GPA.
• The admission interview.
• Your personal essay .
• Letters of recommendation from your teachers.
• The classes you took in school.
• Your extracurricular activities.

The higher your final score, the more options you’ll have for admission.

SAT Organization

The SAT includes three mandatory parts: Reading, Writing, and Math. As per 2016, an SAT essay is optional for applicants to take, though many colleges still require it.

You’ll have three hours to complete your SAT (without the essay). If you write the essay, you’ll have 3 hours 50 minutes to finish the whole test.

To succeed with the test, you should complete its all sections. If you leave some questions unanswered, your scores will be canceled.

The total you can get for your SAT is on a scale of 400–1600, with 200–800 for each of two sections: Reading and Writing + Math.

Sounds difficult?

Okay, here’s a kinda SAT score calculator for you:

If you write an SAT essay, you can get an extra 2–8 points for each of three criteria. What are these criteria, and what is a good essay score?

Two graders from College Board score each SAT essay on a scale of 1-4 across three criteria:

• Reading: it should be clear from your essay that you’ve understood the material. So, cover its main points and show how they interrelate.
• Analysis: an essay should include persuasive claims about the text’s main points. So, evaluate them and provide supporting evidence for its claims.
• Writing: an essay should be structured well. So, present your arguments logically, vary sentence structure, state a thesis, and avoid grammar/spelling mistakes.

Summed together from two graders, your SAT essay score can range between 2 and 8 for each criterion.

In 2018, the average SAT essay score was 5 out of 8 for Reading, 4 out of 8 for Analysis, and 5 out of 8 for Writing. ( Source )

As you see, the analysis was the most challenging part for students. That’s because it differs from what you do in standard essays:

In high school, you mostly write persuasive essays to give your personal opinion on the topic. In the SAT essay, they ask you to analyze the author’s opinion. It’s more like writing an expository essay . And although the structure of SAT essays doesn’t differ from that of a standard essay, it may be difficult for you to logically link the arguments and evidence of another person in a new paper.

SAT Dates in 2022-2023

As a rule, the SAT takes place on the first Saturday of November, December, May, and June. Other dates include late January, March or April, and late August or October.

In other words, you can take the exam almost every month. Just make sure you are ready and don’t miss a registration deadline for your chosen data.

Here are the SAT dates for 2022-2023:

The SAT Essay: to Take or Not to Take?

As you’ve read already, an SAT essay is optional now. However, there are many colleges and universities in the USA that still require it from applicants. So, if you decide not to write the SAT essay, you won’t be able to apply to these schools.

Later in this article, you’ll find the list of colleges that require the SAT essay. Make sure yours is not there; otherwise, you’ll have to write an essay. If you are still unsure of what college to apply, writing the essay would come in handy anyway.

The SAT with essay costs $57 as opposed to the $45 for the SAT without an essay section.

Pros and cons of taking the SAT essay:

How to Decide When to Take the SAT

Think strategically when choosing the date for taking your SAT:

• How much time do you need to prepare? Map it out, set goals, visualize your plan – and you’ll know what SAT date fits you best.
• How busy are you with other tasks at the moment? With tons of other assignments and commitments to complete, you’ll hardly find enough time for preparation. So, choose the season when your schedule is not that crazy.
• What is your college application timeline? You’ll need the SAT completed before you submit the application, so time accordingly.

How to Register for the SAT

First of all, choose the date, based on the tips above. Try to complete your SAT registration as soon as possible, because the late registration usually needs an extra fee.

Also, decide if you take the SAT essay. For that, find out if your chosen colleges require such essays. Also, check if they ask applicants to take SAT Subject Tests (they are given by College Board on individual subjects).

You can complete the registration on the College Board website , or fill in the Student Registration Booklet and send it by email. ( Ask your school counselor for this booklet .)

You’ll need to upload a picture of yourself and provide all your personal data. Make sure the photo and info match with those in your ID. Also, pay a registration fee.

Once your registration is complete, print out the Admission Ticket: you’ll need it when come to take your test.

Top Changes to SAT Essays in 2022

In case you don’t know, the SAT has changed since 2016. Many educational blogs and websites wrote about it because it was the year of the biggest change to this test, and it impacted students greatly.

Time, format, scores, sections… Everything is different now!

Here go the most significant changes to SAT essays in 2020 and later:

• The SAT essay is optional now.
• Students have 50 minutes for writing it. (The old SAT gave them only 25 minutes.)
• This essay is argumentative now, and it asks you to analyze another essay. (The old SAT required to answer a theoretical prompt in your essay.)
• The SAT essay is scored separately now. (The old SAT had an essay as a part of the Writing section, and the score range for it was 200-800.)

More changes to the overall SAT test are gathered and turned into the infographic by Student Tutor. Check here for details.

Or, let’s turn to SAT essay examples!

That’s what an SAT essay task looked back in 2016:

As you see, it’s focused on a more theoretical response. Graders didn’t estimate any analytical skills.

And that’s the example of a new SAT essay task:

It requires a more argumentative and analytical approach from students. Graders can see your critical thinking skills, not just your personal opinion on a given theoretical prompt.

Both examples are taken from Allen Cheng’s article at PrepScholar. He shared the complete guide to the SAT new rules and its most meaningful changes for students.

How to Write SAT Essay?

Below, you’ll find SAT essay tips that can help to improve your scores. But now let’s turn to an essay structure and your step by step tutorial on how to write SAT essays.

Lucky you are, the SAT essay structure is similar to any standard academic paper teachers asked you to write in class. Known as a 5-paragraph essay , its basic parts are:

• Introduction: 2-3 sentences with a hook and a thesis statement.
• Thesis statement: a central argument of your essay, so take your time to craft it.
• Supporting paragraphs (two or three, if time) : each of them should include a topic sentence, evidence, and a concluding sentence to demonstrate how it refers to your thesis statement.
• Conclusion: 3-4 sentences, summarizing your arguments in a concise manner.

Given that you have 50 minutes for writing the SAT essay, make sure to allocate this time like a boss:

• Read the prompt: 1 minute .
• Read the passage, annotating the core info: 15 minutes .
• Outline the essay: 5 minutes .
• Write an essay: 25 minutes .
• Check an essay: 4 minutes .

Don’t hurry up to read the passage: pay attention to the task (prompt) itself, as it will help you understand what information and evidence to concentrate. So, here we have the first step to writing a good SAT essay: read the prompt before the passage .

After that, read the sample passage carefully . Underline the evidence and examples you can use to answer the prompt in your essay. Remember, that your SAT essay will be scored for Reading , so you’ll need to demonstrate that you understand the text’s main points.

To get a high score for Analysis , you’ll need to explain and evaluate the author’s arguments. So, when reading the passage, identify his central claim and instruments he uses to support it (reasoning, evidence, stylistic elements). Focus on the most relevant and persuasive ones.

State your thesis . It should sum up your assessment of the author’s argument. Make it concise and clear, but don’t add any personal attitudes. Remember: you analyze the author’s view rather than share your own. Stay objective when reading the passage and then creating your central claim.

Now it’s time for outlining your essay. Map out it briefly in the introduction, then specify topic sentences and evidence for each paragraph of your essay’s body. Write the draft , with an essay conclusion restating your thesis and summarizing the whole paper.

Check your SAT essay: make sure to use effective language and word choice. Use a variety of sentence structures but stay clear and informative. Your essay gets scores for Writing too, and high scores go to works that are “cohesive and demonstrate highly effective use and command of language.” ( Source )

Source: Giphy

So, avoid low-level vocabulary, correct all spelling and grammar mistakes, and check if you use the right transitional phrases to describe relationships between the arguments in your essay.

SAT Essay Tips

Everyone loves tips, especially if they help to achieve goals and conquer new peaks. And when your goal is a high score for an SAT essay, you need tips more than ever. No wonder:

Who doesn’t want to get a magic bullet to hit the target at one stroke, right?

We asked our team of professional academic writers to give readers their recommendations on essay writing, and here go the essay tips they’ve shared:

What you can do to earn high scores for the SAT essay:

• Understand the scoring system.
• Study essay samples; analyze their structure.
• Practice a lot: take sample prompts and spend 50 minutes on writing essays based on them.
• Learn to analyze texts and see central claims and evidence in them.
• During the SAT, read the prompt before the passage. Always.
• Use accurate facts: support your points with evidence from the passage.
• Be objective: answer the prompt but don’t add any personal opinion or points.
• Take your time to organize the SAT essay, and don’t forget to revise it.
• Make your essay longer than one page: though they say length doesn’t matter, your short response might be not enough for graders to see your writing skills — and you score for the Writing criterion will suffer.
• Follow standard tips for essay writing: use straightforward language, give a clear thesis, structure your essay logically.
• Use a timer when practicing your SAT essay: remember that you’ll have 50 minutes only, so make time for analyzing, planning, writing, and revising it.

Colleges That Require SAT Essay

Your decision to take the optional SAT essay might heavily depend on which college you are going to apply.

So, let’s check what colleges require SAT essays. If yours isn’t in the list, feel free to catch a break: you won’t have to prepare for this writing test and spend money on taking it. However, we would recommend you to double-check with each school at their official websites. (Rules change, you know, and the information tends to go out of date in time.)

We took the most popular colleges among US students only. If your school isn’t on the list, check SAT essay policies of all educational institutes at the official College Board website.

SAT Essay Examples

As mentioned, you need to practice a lot to write the SAT essay worth a high score. That’s true. But what else you can do is pre-plan the examples and evidence you’ll use in the essay! For that, analyze SAT essay examples available online.

Yes, the specifics of your prompt will differ; but they can help choose the types of examples you’ll use to explain the author’s argument.

College Board shares many SAT essay examples with detailed analysis and explanations of why they gave these or those scores to students. They’ll help you understand what to expect from your essay and what writing weaknesses of yours to improve.

This is the SAT essay example that has got 2/1/1 from graders.

(Oops, you better don’t write like that!)

And this work has got 4/4/4 points! See the difference:

(c) College Board

Additional Resources to Check:

• The SAT Student Guide 2022, College Board
• SAT Essay Practice on Khan Academy
• Practice With a Redesigned SAT Essay Prompts
• Best Books to Prepare for SAT
• SAT Essay Prompts: The Complete List

Related posts

• What Is the Difference between Primary and Secondary Sources
• Common Types of Plagiarism with Examples
• Exemplification Essay – Ideas and Tips

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Using AI to predict grade point average from college application essays

by PNAS Nexus

Jonah Berger and Olivier Toubia used natural language processing to understand what drives academic success. The authors analyzed over 20,000 college application essays from a large public university that attracts students from a range of racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds and found that the semantic volume of the writing, or how much ground an application essay covered predicted college performance, as measured by grade point average.

They published their findings in PNAS Nexus .

Essays that covered more semantic ground predicted higher grades. Similarly, essays with smaller conceptual jumps between successive parts of its discourse predicted higher grades.

These trends held even when researchers controlled for factors including SAT score, parents' education, gender, ethnicity, college major, essay topics, and essay length. Some of these factors, such as parents' education and the student's SAT scores, encode information about family background , suggesting that the linguistic features of semantic volume and speed are not determined solely by socioeconomic status.

According to the authors, the results demonstrate that the topography of thought, or the way people express and organize their ideas, can provide insight into their likely future success.

Journal information: PNAS Nexus

Provided by PNAS Nexus

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Stunning auroras light up skies across world as massive solar geomagnetic storm hits Earth

Skies around the world have shone with extraordinary colours overnight due to a rare solar weather event.

The aurora borealis and australis — the northern and southern lights — stunned those who ventured outside to take in the views, and provided amateur photographers with the opportunity to take some truly spectacular pictures.

A geomagnetic storm of a strength not seen for two decades was behind the phenomena.

Here is a selection of some of the most stunning displays.

Aurora australis

Photographer Sean O'Riordan, who was visiting Tasmania, said he was lucky enough to photograph the aurora before flying to Brisbane on Saturday.

"I was literally on the beach shooting and I had to wrap up and run back to the camper, pack my bag, change and get to the airport," Mr O'Riordan said.

He said the colours were visible to the naked eye.

"You could see the pillars and the beams that were rising off it, which was incredible," he said.

"I've never seen anything like it before. There was just a mash of red, green pink."

Aurora borealis

• X (formerly Twitter)
• Astronomy (Space)
• Human Interest
• Weather Phenomena

The northern lights danced across the US last night. It could happen again Saturday.

Amazing auroras sparked by a massive solar storm — the strongest in decades — set the world abuzz Friday night as colorful glowing light radiated into the skies as far south as Florida and the Bahamas, to the surprising delight of many who waited up and kept watch.

And good news for anyone who missed it: You may get another chance Saturday night or Sunday.

"Overnight, aurora were visible across much of the United States. Weather permitting, they may be visible again tonight," the Space Weather Prediction Center said in a Saturday morning update . A later update suggests the possibility of widespread viewing in the U.S. on Sunday too.

(A word of caution, experts have previously told USA TODAY that forecasting space weather is difficult . Researchers must rely on observations of the 93-million-miles-away sun to make their predictions.)

Northern lights are only visible at night time, and experts say it's best to view them away from the hustle and bustle of city life to get the best show. Still, Americans in cities said they could see the lights overnight, including in metro Detroit .

Wisconsinites got to see the lights dance across the sky in green and purple hues. Even residents of downtown Milwaukee caught a glimpse despite the bright city lights obstructing the view.

See photos: Northern lights on full display across US, Europe on Friday

Will the aurora be visible this weekend?

It could be.

The Space Weather Prediction Center offers an experimental forecast map that showed on Saturday the aurora may be visible Saturday in a wide swath of the U.S., possibly in states including Oregon, Nebraska, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York. But visibility will depend on shifting factors that include weather.

For Sunday, space weather forecasters said the aurora could become visible again over the northern half of the country, with sights extending as far south as Alabama and northern California. The effects of that storm are expected to arrive Sunday morning ET.

What is the cloud forecast Saturday night? Will clouds block the northern lights?

If you missed the aurora borealis Friday night, you might still catch a glimpse on Saturday or Sunday, depending on where you live. But not if clouds get in the way.

The cloud forecast for Saturday night is generally good for most of America, but some of the people who missed their chance last night due to clouds may have a similar problem Saturday, said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines. Areas that are likely to be cloudy include New England and Mid-Atlantic regions, as well as parts of the Southern Plains, including Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado.

“Even just a few breaks in the clouds will allow the aurora to be visible,” Kines said. “There’s always hope.”

Peak visibility time Saturday night will be between 9 p.m. and midnight, with some chance until 2 a.m., Kines said. The best views will be in dark areas away from the light pollution of cities, he said, though some reported seeing the auroras Friday night from metro areas like Milwaukee and Detroit.

Sunday night, if there is any aurora to see, those in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic can rejoice, because Kines said the skies should be clearer.

What is causing the northern lights this weekend?

The spectacle is being caused by geomagnetic storm that erupted from a sunspot cluster on the sun.

The storm was unusually strong — classified as "extreme" (or a G5) storm, the highest level, the  Space Weather Prediction Center  said Friday evening. It's the first G5 storm to hit our planet since 2003.

The geomagnetic storm's effects (which aren't all as pretty as the northern lights) are likely to linger through the weekend. The  Space Weather Prediction Center  said the storm is likely to continue through Sunday.

"There have been reports of power grid irregularities and degradation to high-frequency communications and GPS," the Space Weather Prediction Center said in a Saturday morning update.

Where were the northern lights seen on Friday night?

Across much of the United States and Europe where skies were clear — as far south as Florida, Oklahoma, Texas and Arizona.

To the great disappointment of many in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, cloud cover dimmed or obstructed the stunning display altogether.

Although it's unusual, auroras have been seen in the far southern United States in the past. This happens when a particularly large coronal mass ejection arrives in the Earth's outer atmosphere, triggering a geomagnetic storm, NOAA reports.

On the night of Nov. 5-6, 2001 , aurora displays were seen in Texas and Arizona.

What causes the aurora?

NASA describes an aurora as an "intricate dance of particles and magnetism between the Sun and the Earth."

The Sun's activity creates strong electrical currents known as geomagnetic storms.

These eruptions are mostly happening at a large, complex sunspot cluster, NOAA'S Space Weather Prediction Center said. Sunspots, which increase and decrease on a 11-year cycle, are areas where the magnetic field is about 2,500 times stronger than Earth's.

The reason the auroras move is because of how the Sun's ionized gases interact with the Earth's magnetic field.

If you took a great photo, NASA wants to know

In a collaboration with the National Science Foundation and the New Mexico Consortium aurora sightings and photos are being collected at the Aurorasaurus web page.

Why was the aurora borealis so red on Friday?

Mike Theiss, an extreme nature photographer and hurricane storm chaser, who lives in Florida was shocked to see posts Friday night about how far south people were seeing the auroras. To his amazement, he was able to step out of his front door in Key Largo in the Florida Keys and see and photograph the aurora. Hours later he was still incredulous, and surprised at the colors in the aurora.

"I’ve documented the Northern Lights in Iceland, North Dakota, Arctic Circle in Canada but never this red color," Theiss said. "This is the first time I’ve seen red."

The multiple colors seen in auroras are related to the types of gas being bombarded at various levels above the Earth. Auroras occur within one of Earth's upper atmosphere layers, the thermosphere, according to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.

Solar particles trapped there interact with various gas molecules, such as nitrogen and oxygen, according to the research corporation's website. Oxygen gives off green and red lights, while nitrogen glows blue and reddish purple. For example, nitrogen gas glows blue at 75 to 110 miles altitude.

The less common red auroras form from interacting with higher altitude oxygen molecules, the website explains.

'Two incredible spectacles of the universe': Northern lights come about a month after eclipse

Seeing the aurora amazed Antonella Fruscione, an astrophysicist at Harvard University. She sent photos of the sight as well as the April total solar eclipse to her friends in Italy.

"And I sent them the picture that I took at the solar eclipse and I said, 'Can you imagine how fortunate I was this year, one month apart, I see these two incredible spectacles of the universe,'" she recalled telling them.

The phenomena seen Friday and possibly Saturday night is unusual, she said.

"It's a very rare occurrence, especially because last night it was really visible," Fruscione said.

What was the Halloween storm in October 2003?

Over two decades ago in late October 2003, three massive sunspot groups appeared on the sun's surface with little warning, accompanied by 17 major solar flares, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.

Satellites, radio and GPS systems went on the fritz around the world, causing some major disruptions. But it also offered a stunning view of the auroras as far south as California and Florida. People in Australia and Mediterranean countries even caught a glimpse.

Contributing: Doyle Rice and Krystal Nurse , USA TODAY

Maps show where millions in U.S. could see northern lights this weekend

A mericans as far south as Alabama and Northern California were being treated to a show of the northern lights this weekend from a powerful geomagnetic storm which reached Earth, officials said. If the weather conditions are right, people in wider areas on the map could look up and see the aurora borealis .

The storm prompted government forecasters to warn of potential disruptions to communications systems, the power grid and satellite operations, but it also put on a fantastic light display in the night sky Friday. 

"The aurora is when we get energized particles that have left the sun in more quantities than usual, and they interact with Earth's magnetic barrier," Shawn Dahl, senior space weather forecaster for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, explained to CBS News.

The geomagnetic storm reached Earth Friday evening as an "extreme" G5 , according to the NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. Geomagnetic storms are ranked from G1 to G5.

"This one is pretty large, It think it's pretty extreme, we got to the G5, which is the highest in terms of strength," said Dr. Nour Rawafi, an astrophysicist with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.

It marks the first G5 geomagnetic storm to reach Earth since October 2003. A G5 is so large it can disrupt satellites we rely on for communications and GPS. Elon Musk's Starlink satellites were reporting "degraded service."

Dahl explains a G5 storm can potentially disrupt the GPS we use on our phones.

"It could, because most of our phones are single-frequency GPS systems," Dahl said. 

Experts say the aurora borealis will likely be viewable again Saturday night, with the best chance to see the northern lights between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Sunday. 

"If you happen to be in an area where it's dark and cloud free and relatively unpolluted by light, you may get to see a fairly impressive aurora display, and that's really the gift from space weather, is the aurora," Rob Steenburgh, a space scientist with the NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, told reporters Friday morning.

Northern lights map for Friday night

A map from the center showed the aurora would be visible for much of the northern half of the U.S. Friday night. A red line on the map shows how far south the aurora forecast went.

The National Weather Service's St. Louis office said people in the area should leave the city for the best possible chance to view the northern lights.

"Get away from city lights into a dark, rural surrounding and look north," the office said on social media . "Aside from some clouds associated with a passing front, much of the time looks mostly clear."

The prediction center notes on its website that people don't need to be directly underneath the aurora to see it. Instead, it can be observed from as much as 620 miles away.

The weather service's office for the San Francisco Bay Area had been less optimistic when asked if there was a chance for a nighttime show there. 

"Probably not, but I'll still look up while walking my dog," the office said . But the weather service turned out to be wrong, the northern lights were visible from the Bay Area. 

Northern lights map for Saturday night

Friday night wasn't the only opportunity for a northern lights show. The storm was expected to last through the weekend, and the prediction center released a forecast map for Saturday night.

Officials said people in the southern U.S. who can't see the aurora with their naked eyes could still take some dazzling pictures with their phones.

"Cellphones are much better than our eyes at capturing light," the Space Weather Prediction Center's Brent Gordon told reporters Friday. "Just go out your back door and take a picture with a newer cellphone, and you'd be amazed at what you see in that picture versus what you see with your eyes."

Stunning photos showed the vivid display of the northern lights over Europe and the U.K. after nightfall there on Friday.

— Michael George contributed to this report. 

Where can you see the Northern Lights in the UK tonight?

• Northern Lights
• Saturday 11 May 2024 at 8:12pm

The Northern Lights were visible for much of the UK on Friday night and could be visible again on Saturday, as ITV News' Alex Iszatt reports.

By ITV News Producer Hannah Ward-Glenton

The Northern Lights dazzled huge swaths of the UK on Friday night thanks to an “extreme” geomagnetic storm, with further solar storms expected on Saturday.

The Aurora Borealis was best visible in Whitley Bay on the north east coast, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Wokingham in Berkshire.

It was also spotted in Suffolk, Kent, Hampshire and Liverpool, and was even visible in parts of London.

So can you spot them tonight if you missed out on Friday?

When and where can you see the Northern Lights tonight?

ITV News meteorologist and weather presenter Chris Page said it is "likely" the Northern Lights will be visible this evening.

"Tonight the solar storms are likely to continue and are likely to be visible again. However, the storm is reducing in intensity and it's thought the display won't be as potent as last night.

"Likely to see it best between 10.30pm-2am where light pollution levels are reduced."

The Met Office also said it was likely to be less strong on Saturday night, but most of the north of England and almost all of Scotland would be able to see the lights between 10pm and 2am.

It added that weaker sightings were possible further south.

Craig Snell, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “It is hard to fully predict what will happen in the Earth’s atmosphere, but there will still be enhanced solar activity tonight, so the lights could be visible again in northern parts of the UK, including Scotland, Northern Ireland and the far north of England."

Sightings in southern parts of the UK are less likely on Saturday, although Mr Snell said the lights might be visible through a strong camera lens.

While short nights limit the visibility window, there’s a "good chance" of sightings on Saturday night, especially across Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England and Wales, a Met Office spokesperson told ITV News.

"There could be some visibility further south, especially with long-exposure cameras."

Visibility of the Aurora Borealis will continue into Sunday night, but cloud across the UK, particularly in the West, is likely to obscure the view.

Areas in the East have the best chance at spotting the colourful skies again on Sunday, the Met Office said.

Top viewing tips

Chris Page provided his tips for spotting the Aurora Borealis:

Look to the northern horizon: The aurora is drawn towards the polar regions of the Earth. As a result you might not be able to see it directly overhead, but as it happens so high in sky look towards the northern horizon where it's likely to be dancing.

You can see it with the naked eye but cameras tend to capture it better. This is because cameras can adapt to different wave lengths better than our eyes. Give yourself time to adjust, at least 10 minutes.

Find dark, open spaces: Seek out locations away from city lights and other sources of light pollution. Open fields, parks, or remote areas with unobstructed views of the northern horizon are ideal for aurora watching.

Be patient and persistent: Seeing the aurora requires patience and persistence, as it can be unpredictable and may not appear every night, even during periods of high activity. Stay flexible with your plans and be prepared to wait for hours if necessary.

Use long exposures for photography: If you're interested in photographing the aurora, use a camera with manual settings and a tripod to capture long exposures. Experiment with different exposure times and ISO settings to achieve the best results.

Stay up late: Auroras are often most active in the late evening to early morning hours, so plan to stay up late or wake up early for the best chance of seeing a spectacular display.

How often do we see the Northern Lights?

It's rare that the Northern Lights are this visible in the UK.

Friday night's display has been classified as a G5 Extreme Solar Storm by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

This last happened in October 2003.

What's the science behind the Northern Lights?

Charged particles from the sun, primarily electrons and protons, collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, typically oxygen and nitrogen.

These collisions emit light at various wavelengths, creating vibrant displays of colour in the sky, often appearing as curtains, arcs, or bands of light.

The colours are determined by the type of gas particles involved and the altitude at which the collisions occur.

Greens appear due to interactions with oxygen, red is from oxygen in the upper atmosphere while blues and purples are due to the interaction of nitrogen.

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Stormy Daniels Takes the Stand

The porn star testified for eight hours at donald trump’s hush-money trial. this is how it went..

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This episode contains descriptions of an alleged sexual liaison.

What happened when Stormy Daniels took the stand for eight hours in the first criminal trial of former President Donald J. Trump?

Jonah Bromwich, one of the lead reporters covering the trial for The Times, was in the room.

On today’s episode

Jonah E. Bromwich , who covers criminal justice in New York for The New York Times.

Background reading

In a second day of cross-examination, Stormy Daniels resisted the implication she had tried to shake down Donald J. Trump by selling her story of a sexual liaison.

Here are six takeaways from Ms. Daniels’s earlier testimony.

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