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Navigating the Digital SAT
A Tutor’s Guide to Effective Preparation
Late last year, the SAT switched from a paper-and-pencil test to the Digital SAT. And the change was more than cosmetic. The new SAT doesn’t just have a different format; the test has new question types, new content, and new tools (like a built-in calculator).
With the shift to the Digital SAT, students must adapt their test prep to reflect the realities of the new test. As someone who has been tutoring the SAT for over 20 years (and who has therefore helped students prep for four different versions of the SAT), I’m here to provide practical, supportive advice to help you (or your teenager) navigate this new testing landscape with confidence.
Understanding the Digital SAT Format
Let’s start by getting acquainted with the Digital SAT’s format and the adaptive nature of the new exam.
The test is divided into two main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing followed by Math. Each of these sections is tested in two separate modules. Each Reading and Writing module is 32 minutes, while each Math module is 35 minutes.
The test is adaptive, which means that the difficulty of the questions in the second module of each section will adjust based on your performance in the first module…
