An era ended on Tuesday, Jan. 25, when the College Board announced the new SAT in 2023 (the globe) and 2024 (the United States). 

Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, the College Board is attempting to alter the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or the SAT, which has had heavy weight on students over the decades in the face of raising questions as to whether the admission test is even necessary. 

“The digital SAT will be easier to take, easier to give, and more relevant,” said Priscilla Rodriguez, vice president of College Readiness Assessments at College Board. “We’re not simply putting the current SAT on a digital platform — we’re taking full advantage of what delivering an assessment digitally makes possible. With input from educators and students, we are adapting to ensure we continue to meet their evolving needs.” 

College Board is implementing many drastic changes in order to make the test “more relevant.” After half a century of a paper and pencil test, the SAT will become completely digital. In addition, an hour of the test time will be eliminated and will be two hours. Calculators will be allowed on all math sections. 

The SAT will continue to be scored on a 1600 scale, and students will still be proctored in a class setting. In many studies done, this nontraditional form of testing proves results of students being able to focus more than when testing on physical paper.

“In pilot runs that were conducted last year, 80 percent of students said they found the digital tests less stressful, according to the College Board, which said laptops or tablets would be provided for students who need them,” The New York Times reported. 

The long and hectic wait many students must endure amid their score will also be over. Instead of having to wait weeks for results, students will only have to wait days. This positive factor of time will also prevail through the process schools and testing centers must go through to receive and proctor the SAT. 

“The SAT will be delivered digitally internationally beginning in 2023 and in the U.S. in 2024,” College Board Newsroom said. “The PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 8/9 will be delivered digitally in 2023 with the PSAT 10 following in 2024. More information about the changes can be found at SAT.org/digital.”