No more old-fashioned pencils and paper. The Collegeboard announced that the SAT is becoming a digital test starting in 2023 for international students and 2024 in the United States. 

“I think this change is going to be helpful because it will be easier to grade and students will get their scores faster,” said Matthew Seo (‘24). 

Despite the digital change, test takers are still required to complete their exams at designated testing centers. Students are allowed to use their own digital devices for the test which allow scores to be delivered in days. With the test being digital, there is a new algorithm that allows test questions to change in difficulty based on performance of past questions. 

“I really wish it could have gone digital when I took the SAT because I have gotten better with technology after online school…I also like how the test is shorter which makes it more efficient and not take the whole day,” said Tyler Homes (‘23). 

The new SAT test will be shortened from 3 hours to 2 hours, but another added bonus is that materials don’t need to be set up by proctors. The test will be shorter due to the authorized use of calculators throughout the entire math section and shorter reading passages. 

“I think one of the biggest issues with the SAT is the income inequality because people in communities with less resources have less of a chance to succeed on the test than people with the resources and tutors provided,” said Homes. 

The Collegeboard addressed these income inequality issues by including an online graphing calculator on the test, which can reach prices over $100. Computers will also be issued to students who do not have access to one. This is all part of the Collegeboard’s plan to increase the popularity of the test for more students to take it. 

“Since many colleges are becoming test-optional, I don’t know how much of an effect this will have for students. The UC’s don’t even look at standardized test scores so the impact may not be as important as people may think,” said Saagnik Mitra (‘23).