New SAT Format: Difference Between Old and New SAT Format

Since studying abroad is the new inn, a lot of high school pass-outs dream of studying abroad in countries like the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. To apply for undergraduate admissions in these countries, students may be required to submit standardised test scores of either SAT or ACT.  SAT underwent a major change and this article will focus on the changes that came about.

These two tests that are, ACT and SAT are widely opted for by international students for major US universities and Canadian university admissions. Since more and more students register for the SAT every year, to ease the load of the States and schools to assess the pencil-paper SATs, the new Digital SAT emerged, aiming to evaluate the SAT test in a more efficient and less time-consuming manner. The scoring range on the SAT remains the same, that is, between 400-1600.

The New SAT or Digital SAT was conducted three years back on March 11. The benefit of the new SAT exam format is that the exam is online, on the student’s laptop or iPad but with an internet connection at the SAT centre.

The Digital SAT is shorter than the previous one and score reports would be released within a couple of days rather than weeks. This article covers all that you should know about the new SAT exam, the SAT exam pattern, syllabus, dates and prep tips.

NOTE: Post digitalisation, no new changes have been introduced for Digital SAT. The syllabus, pattern, scoring and format remains the same even after three years. 

Difference Between Old and New SAT Format 

The following table throws light on the difference between the old SAT exam pattern followed up to 2022 December, and the latest introduced SAT Digital Exam for international students, which is to be conducted for the first time in March 2023: 

What has Changed in SAT?

There are certain changes proposed by the College Board for each of the testing sections of the SAT, like the Reading and Writing section will not be tested separately and the Math section includes all questions to be answered using the calculator. Then there are timing changes, a few changes in the pattern of SAT and other changes which have been elaborated below in each section.

SAT Suite-level Changes 

The Digital SAT assessments are witnessing the following changes: 

• SAT Digital tests are an hour shorter than the paper and pencil test which is now 2 hours and 14 minutes instead of the previously 3 hours. 
• Digital SAT exam measures students’ skills and knowledge, not test-taking speed. 
• On average, the new SAT Digital test offers more time to answer each question, more than before.  
• Scores in the new SAT exam are released faster within 13 days instead of two to three weeks. 
• The Digital SAT score reports would also help students access information and resources about local two-year colleges, training programs and career options. 
• SAT Digital test will be more secure and if a test form is compromised, it may lead to cancelling scores for the entire group of students.  
• Students can attempt seven times on a Digital SAT in a given year.
• The format of the questions tested on the SAT has become more concise than the previously tested long passages and questions.
• MCQ-type questions tested in SAT will allow students in reviewing and altering the option of the answer chosen, rather than the limitations on the OMR sheet which doesn't allow for a lot of changes. 
• Each student is tested for SAT across a unique test form, which will make it absolutely impossible to share answers with other pupils. 

SAT Sectional Changes 

Along with the basic structure of SAT exam, the SAT syllabus has also been reviewed and a few changes have been incorporated. Check out the SAT sectional changes below: 

SAT Reading & Writing Section Changes

Instead of two different sections, timed differently for Reading and Writing, the SAT digital aims to have a single Reading and Writing section. This allows the test takers to be measured across the English language in the following areas: 

• Arts and content area  
• Literacy knowledge  
• Skill efficiency 

SAT Digital RW Section would include shorter passages across a wider range of topics representing the kinds of works they’ll probably study in college. 

Check: SAT Digital Preparation Tips 2026 

SAT Math Section Changes 

Calculators are now allowed throughout the Math section exam of SAT rather than the previous Calculator Section testing. There’s only one single Math section which has replaced the two separately timed no-calculator and calculator-allowed sections.  

This change will allow the Math section to have more accurate answers and reflect how calculators are used in a timed environment. Students would be allowed to use their own calculators for the test. 

The average length of word problems has been reduced. These word problems would assess if students can apply their math skills and knowledge to both academic and real-world situations.  

SAT Digital Exam Timing Breakdown  

Each section tested in the digital SAT Digital exam has two broad sections.  

• In order to complete the SAT RW Section, students will have just 64 minutes to complete the questions.  
• Whereas, 70 minutes are allocated to complete the SAT Math Section having 35 minutes of answering in both sections.  
• Each of the SAT testing modules is timed separately, which in turn allows students to move back and forward before time runs out.  
• Whenever the time would run out on the current module of the section being attempted, the test automatically moves students to the next module.  
• After students complete the RW section, they will be moved to the Math section after an interval of 10 minutes between the sections.  

The total testing time for the Digital SAT exam is 2 hours and 14 minutes.  

New SAT Format

The new SAT Digital Exam syllabus or format as proposed has been elaborated below for prospective students who would be appearing for the SAT Digital exam for the very first time:  

Students can keep a similar preparation strategy for SAT Digital exam also. The preparation material - books and resources for SAT are quite similar to the previous pencil paper test of SAT. 

Read more about SAT Sample Papers for practice. 

SAT Digital Exam Dates 2026

International students still wondering when SAT Digital will be conducted, can check out the following SAT dates for 2026 below: 

Students can also opt for their nearest SAT test centre to avoid the last-minute hassle of travelling far off. Since the pencil-paper SAT has been scrapped for international students, new students register for Digital SAT. This time, the Digital SAT exam results and scores will be released within a span of a few days, hence, students will receive their scores faster and will be able to send them across in time to the universities they have applied to abroad.

What Remains Unchanged in SAT?

Apart from the major changes proposed, there are a couple of things that have not changed in the SAT testing that happens to begin in this year March onwards for international students:

• The overall scoring range of the new SAT remains unchanged that is, between 400-1600, where each section will be scored on the same scale of 200-400.
• Students can still submit SAT scores in place of ACT scores, the SAT scores will be regarded equally as to the ACT test requirements.
• Despite SAT going digital, applicants will still have to appear for the exam at their chosen test centre for giving the test.
• The MCQ-based questions are still a part of the Digital SAT exam and remain unchanged.
• Finally, the accommodation options available for students with disabilities also remains unchanged for those appearing for the SAT exam.

Still have queries, get in touch in the comments below. All the very best!