(5) Reading and Writing Sections are in ONE integrated section. Currently, from our research, the ratio is much more skewed to reading than writing, with about 22 Reading and 5 Writing questions in each section. Though there is a lot less emphasis on grammar concepts, the variety and difficulty has remained the same. 

(6) Reading and Writing passages are SHORTER (150 words) but more varied. Gone are the days of long 750 worded essays to sift through. Students will encounter 54 short 150-worded passages in the domains of literature, humanities, history and sciences. From our observations, science topics form the majority of the passage types, followed by humanities, history and literature. Note that literature types also include poetry in the Digital SAT.  

(7) Math problems will have LESS Data Representation (from 29% to 14%) but MORE Geometry & Trig (from 8% to 18%). This primarily has to do with time. Compared to the ACT, which is considered a “speedy” test, the newly designed Digital SAT will have less data-based Math problems that take up more time. Similarly, the Digital SAT will have less word problems as well, with over 65% of all questions posed as more direct “straightforward” math problems. It will imperative that all students have competencies in pre-calc or trigonometry to properly prep for the new Digital SAT as well. 

(8) Math section will allow an ONLINE graphic calculator. Hello Desmos! Students will have access to an online Desmos graphing calculator. There are plenty of opportunities for students to learn this handy software including during school or via test prep classes. The online calculator mirrors the handheld graphic calculator with some unique nifty features. 

(9) Score results will come back within DAYS, not weeks. Theoretically, Collegeboard will return the test scores within 1-3 days. This will bode well for students looking for their score results as they try to meet college application deadlines This is overall a positive thing. 

(10) ACT-Digital SAT Concordance will remain in effect. Current 2018 SAT-ACT Concordance table is a bit outdated, but the Collegeboard promises that there will be a new concordance table with the ACT exam. It is our opinion that any concordance between the two exams is a good thing, since students and colleges will be able to gauge their skillset appropriately and comparatively. 

(11) Students with accommodations can take the paper-based exam or the digital exam, but will need to do in-school rather than a weekend exam. The Collegeboard remains committed to students with learning disability or accommodative needs. The only caveat is that students with accommodation will need to take the test in-school day, rather than on weekends. Further, they will take a non-adaptive paper-based exam that will be slightly longer with a more questions. Specifically, students will encounter 66 Reading/Writing integrated questions and 54 Math questions for a total of 2:44 hours. 

Currently, the Collegeboard is inviting a select few number of students from different States to test out the new Digital SAT, so we’ll have a better grasp of its development as more data gets fed into the system.