When Will the SAT Go Digital?

You may have heard that the College Board is getting ready to make the SAT a fully digital exam. But when will the SAT go digital? How will it affect your SAT testing plans? 

In this article, we’ll answer the question, “When is the SAT going digital?” and walk you through all the changes to the exam. We’ll explain when the digital SAT will be available, who can take the digital SAT, and upcoming SAT exam dates to help you plan your testing schedule. 

If you aren’t sure whether to take the SAT before or after it goes digital, we’ve got you covered with three factors to consider before registering for the SAT.  

Are you ready? Let’s get started!

When Will the SAT Go Digital? Who Will Take It? 

The SAT will gradually transition to a digital format from Spring 2023 to Spring 2024. But when will the SAT go digital for students in the US and students outside of the US? 

The SAT for international students will go digital first, starting with Spring 2023 test dates. 

PSAT assessments will go digital next, beginning with Fall 2023 testing dates. 

In Spring 2024, the US SAT and SAT School Day exams will go digital as well. By Spring 2024, the SAT will be a fully digital exam.

You can prepare for the SAT’s transition to a digital format by jotting down these 2023-2024 SAT exam dates and setting a solid SAT study plan. That way, you’ll be prepared when the digital SAT arrives!

The College Board works in mysterious ways. But we'll shine some light on their SAT decision for you.

Why Is the SAT Going Digital? How Will It Be Different? 

The SAT is going digital in order to make the exam easier to take, easier to give, and more relevant for students. 

In November 2021, the College Board gave the digital SAT to a group of US and international students. 80% of students who took the digital SAT responded that they found it to be less stressful. Here are three reasons why:

• The digital SAT will be shorter, running for about two hours in contrast to the current SAT’s length of three hours. Students will also be given more time per question.
• The digital SAT Reading and Math sections will be more relevant. SAT Reading passages will be shorter and will cover a wider range of topics that represent the types of texts that students read in college. One question will correspond with each reading passage instead of a set of multiple questions. On SAT Math, students will be able to use calculators on the entire section.
• The digital SAT will be more accessible. Students will be able to use their own laptop or tablet or a school-issued device to take the digital SAT. If a student loses Internet access, the digital SAT will save their work and will not count the time lost against them. SAT scores will be available to students within days instead of weeks. 

However, many things about the digital SAT will be the same as the current SAT. The digital SAT will still measure the knowledge and skills that students need for college readiness. A 1600 scale will still be used for scoring, and the digital SAT will still be administered in schools and testing centers. You can learn more about how to adapt your SAT prep and study plans for the digital SAT in our ultimate study guide for the new digital SAT exam!

But when is the SAT going digital specifically? What are the official SAT exam dates and deadlines? We’ll walk you through the upcoming SAT exam dates and deadlines next.  

When Is the SAT Going Digital? Upcoming SAT Dates

As we’ve mentioned, the SAT will go digital at different times for US and international students. 

So when is the SAT going digital for international students? The international SAT will go digital first in Spring 2023. To help you prepare, here’s a breakdown of the 2023-2024 SAT exam dates for International students: 

But when will the SAT go digital for US students? US students will begin taking the digital SAT in Spring 2024. Here are the 2023-2024 SAT dates for US students: 

 *These are anticipated SAT dates and deadlines and have not yet been officially confirmed by the College Board. This article will be updated as official dates are confirmed by the College Board. 

At this point, the College Board has not announced anticipated or official SAT exam dates beyond June 2023 for International students. This article will be updated as new exam dates are announced by the College Board. 

For now, you still have the option to choose between the traditional and digital SAT. Here are a few things to consider before making your decision. 

Should You Take the Current or Digital SAT? 3 Factors To Consider

Still wondering, “When is the SAT going digital? Which version should I take?” There’s good news! We’ll walk you through three factors to consider before choosing an SAT date and format below. 

Factor 1: Whether You’re an International or US Student

For international students planning to take the SAT in Spring 2023 or later, there’s only one option: the new digital version. The good news is that if you wait till Summer or Fall 2023 or later to test, there’s plenty of time to prep for the digital version of the SAT!

US students have a little more wiggle room. Since the digital SAT won’t be implemented until Spring 2024, US students taking the SAT in 2023 or 2024 have extra time to consider their options. 

If you feel prepped and ready to take the current version of the SAT, there’s still time to do that. But if you’d feel better waiting till 2024, you have a full year to study for the new digital version and take it some time next year. 

Factor 2: Which Version of the SAT You’ve Prepped For 

Have you been prepping for the current version of the SAT? Do you still want to take the current version of the SAT? Then register for an SAT date in Spring, Summer, or Fall 2023. 

The current version of the SAT will still be administered to US students through the end of 2023. If you feel prepared and want to take the SAT before it goes digital, there’s plenty of time to register for a 2023 exam date. 

If you haven’t started your SAT prep yet, think about when you’d like to take the SAT and set up your test prep plan based on that. If you want to take the SAT in 2023, prep for the current SAT. If you want to wait till Spring 2024 or later to take it, prep for the digital version!

Factor 3: When You’re Applying to College

Your college application deadlines may affect your decision about which version of the SAT to take as well. 

Here’s a breakdown of your SAT options based on college application deadlines for the next two years:

• If your application deadline is Fall/Winter 2023: register for a Spring or Summer 2023 SAT, which will be administered in the current SAT format. 
  
  
• If your application deadline is late Spring 2024: register for a 2023 SAT (current format) or a spring 2024 SAT (digital format). 
  
  
• If your application deadline is Fall/Winter 2024: register for your first SAT date in Summer or Fall 2023 (current format); register for your second SAT in Spring or Summer 2024 (digital). 
  
  

For students applying in Fall/Winter 2024, you have the option to take the current version of the SAT in 2023, or the new digital version in 2024. You’ll just have to decide if you want to prepare for both versions of the SAT!

Keep in mind that scores on the digital SAT will be available within a matter of days. This means that you may be able to register for an SAT exam date that’s closer to your application deadline and still get your scores before it’s time to submit!

What's Next? 

One of the best ways to prepare for the new digital SAT is learning more about it. Our in-depth article on the digital SAT will teach you what you need to know. 

The good news is that the new, digital SAT tests most of the same concepts as the paper-and-pencil SAT. Start your studying off right with our ultimate study guide to the SAT test so that you're ready for the exam no matter the format!  

Our top tips for studying for the SAT will help you get the most out of your study time, too. And don't forget to start studying ahead of time!