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Navigate the New Digital SAT Format with Expert Guidance

 
 

The SAT has undergone significant changes as of March 2024, transitioning to a fully digital format. This updated version is designed to be more student-friendly, reducing stress and providing a more streamlined testing experience. To help students prepare effectively, we offer a free SAT Diagnostic Test to assess your strengths and areas for improvement.

 

Key Updates to the SAT (March 2024 Onward)

What Students and Parents Should Know About the New Digital SAT

In March 2024, the College Board officially launched a fully digital SAT, marking the most significant change in the test’s history. The updated format is shorter, more adaptive, and designed to reflect real-world academic skills. Whether you're a student preparing for the first time or a parent supporting your teen’s college goals, understanding these changes is the first step toward effective preparation.

One important update: The SAT Essay is no longer offered. It was officially discontinued, and writing skills are now assessed through reading and grammar-based questions within the Reading & Writing section. Colleges no longer require the SAT Essay for admissions.

SAT Test Format (March 2024)

The redesigned SAT is shorter, faster, and fully digital. It includes two main sections—Reading & Writing, and Math—each divided into two adaptive modules. Knowing the format in advance helps students manage time effectively and focus on high-impact strategies:

Reading & Writing

  • 54 multiple-choice questions

  • 64 minutes total

  • 2 adaptive modules (27 questions each)

  • One short passage per question (25–150 words)

  • Focuses on grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension

Math

  • 44 multiple-choice questions

  • 70 minutes total

  • 2 adaptive modules (22 questions each)

  • Covers algebra, geometry, data analysis, and problem-solving

  • Calculator allowed for the entire section (includes built-in Desmos calculator)

Additional Notes

  • Total Test Time: Approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes

    • Includes 1 break between the Reading & Writing and Math sections

  • Breaks:

    • One 10-minute break after the Reading & Writing section

  • Scoring:

    • Total Score Range: 400–1600

    • Reading & Writing Section: 200–800

    • Math Section: 200–800

    • There is no penalty for wrong answers — students should attempt every question

  • Test is fully digital and section-adaptive

  • No SAT Essay (officially discontinued)

  • Scores typically returned in a few days, not weeks

Tips for Students

How to Succeed on the New Digital SAT

With the SAT now fully digital and adaptive, success requires more than just content knowledge — it’s about pacing, strategy, and understanding how the new format works. Here’s what every student should know before test day.

SAT Test Sections (march 2024)

The SAT is now divided into two key sections: Reading & Writing, and Math. Each section contains two adaptive modules that adjust based on a student’s performance. Understanding the structure and focus of each section is essential for building effective test-day strategies:

Reading & Writing Section

  • 54 total questions (2 modules of 27 questions)

  • Passages are shorter (25–150 words) and more focused

  • Questions test grammar, vocabulary in context, and reading comprehension

  • Each passage has only one question, so switching between texts is no longer required

Math Section

  • 44 total questions (2 modules of 22 questions)

  • Covers algebra, problem-solving, geometry, and advanced math

  • Built-in calculator available for the entire section

  • Word problems test both math and reading skills

Test Structure Tips

  • The test is adaptive, so performance in the first module determines the difficulty of the second. Answer every question carefully.

  • There’s no penalty for wrong answers, so never leave a question blank.

  • Time is tight. Learning how to quickly eliminate wrong answers boosts your accuracy.

  • The SAT Essay has been discontinued, so focus on grammar, reading, and math skills.

  • Students who take our free Diagnostic Test get personalized prep recommendations that boost scores faster.

Test Dates and Registration Deadlines

sat Test Availability and Scheduling

Stay on track with your SAT planning by reviewing the most current test dates and deadlines directly from College Board’s official site:

 

SAT Total Score Percentages

Year 1600-1400 1390-1200 1190-1000 990-800 790-600 590-400 SAT Mean Score Students
2024 7% 17% 28% 30% 17% 0%* 1,024 1,970,000
2023 7% 17% 29% 31% 16% 0%* 1,028 1,913,742
2022 8% 18% 31% 32% 12% 0%* 1,050 1,737,678
2021 8% 20% 32% 29% 12% 0%* 1,060 1,509,133
2020 7% 19% 33% 30% 12% 0%* 1,051 2,198,460
2019 7% 19% 33% 30% 11% 0%* 1,059 2,220,087
2018 7% 20% 35% 29% 9% 0%* 1,068 2,136,539
2017 5% 20% 36% 30% 9% 0%* 1,060 1,715,481
*There are students who obtained scores within these ranges but are less than 1%, which is presented as 0% in the tables. Source: College Board 2017-2024
 
 

SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) Section Score Percentages

Year 800-700 690-600 590-500 490-400 390-300 290-200 SAT ERW Mean Score Students
2024 6% 23% 35% 28% 8% 0%* 520 1,913,742
2023 7% 19% 29% 31% 13% 0%* 520 1,913,742
2022 8% 20% 31% 31% 10% 0%* 529 1,737,678
2021 8% 22% 31% 29% 10% 0%* 533 1,509,133
2020 7% 21% 32% 30% 10% 0%* 528 2,198,460
2019 7% 22% 32% 29% 9% 0%* 531 2,220,087
2018 7% 23% 34% 28% 8% 0%* 536 2,136,539
2017 6% 23% 35% 28% 8% 0%* 533 1,715,481
*There are students who obtained scores within these ranges but are less than 1%, which is presented as 0% in the tables. Source: College Board 2017-2024
 
 

SAT Math Section Score Percentages

Year 800-700 690-600 590-500 490-400 390-300 290-200 SAT Math Mean Score Students
2024 9% 15% 28% 28% 19% 0%* 505 1,970,000
2023 9% 15% 28% 28% 19% 0%* 505 1,913,742
2022 10% 16% 30% 29% 15% 0%* 521 1,737,678
2021 10% 17% 31% 26% 14% 0%* 528 1,509,133
2020 9% 17% 32% 27% 14% 0%* 523 2,198,460
2019 10% 17% 33% 27% 13% 0%* 531 2,220,087
2018 9% 17% 35% 27% 11% 0%* 531 2,136,539
2017 7% 18% 36% 28% 11% 0%* 527 1,715,481
*There are students who obtained scores within these ranges but are less than 1%, which is presented as 0% in the tables. Source: College Board 2017-2024

High-Level Rhetorical Writing Training for the SAT and Beyond

Ryan mainly helped me clean up my writing to make it more concise and smooth. Many of my sentences were choppy, and some word choices were redundant. He helped me cut down word count and create smoother transitions. The SAT Essay requires rhetorical analysis, so Ryan helped me break down the passage and figure out how to identify various rhetorical tools to implement in my writing. Ryan always sent a follow-up email after a class to remind me of what we discussed and my areas of improvement. He was very direct and honest for clarity, and the feedback was detailed and helpful. The homework load was manageable, since homework was usually just a draft rewrite. The training was difficult at times because it seemed like I wasn’t making progress and my confidence dropped, but I was encouraged by Ryan’s motivation. He’s very accessible because he checks his emails and chats frequently to be as prompt as possible.

Note: The SAT Essay was discontinued by the College Board in 2021. This review reflects our past training in rhetorical analysis, which continues to inform our current college prep and writing programs.

— Hyeryn

High School Class of 2021