The Digital SAT guide

How to use this guide

Each page stands on its own and ends with links to the official College Board pages it relies on. When a policy, fee or date changes, the College Board page is the final word, so check it before you register or pay for anything.

The pages fall into four groups: what the test is, how to register, what happens on and after test day, and the tools you prepare with. The study plan pages at the bottom are for students who also juggle an international school curriculum, AP, IB or the TOEFL.

Understand the test

• What is the Digital SATHow the adaptive, app-based test works and what changed from the paper SAT.
• Digital SAT structureReading and Writing and Math modules, timing, question counts and content domains.
• How the SAT is scoredThe 400 to 1600 scale, section scores and how adaptive routing affects your score.

Register and pick a date

• SAT test datesUpcoming test dates, registration deadlines and how to choose a date that fits your application timeline.
• SAT fees and changesRegistration fees, international fees, refunds, and changing your date or test center.

Test day and after

• SAT test dayWhat to bring, device requirements, check-in and the rules in the testing room.
• Using your SAT scoresSending scores to colleges, Score Choice and how superscoring works.
• SAT score cancellationWhen and how you can cancel a score, and what to weigh before you do.

Tools for preparing

• Digital SAT prep booksOfficial materials versus third-party books, and how to use them with Bluebook practice tests.
• Desmos calculator on the SATThe built-in Desmos calculator, the calculator policy and the Desmos moves that save time on SAT Math.

SAT study plans

The guide explains the test. The study plans explain how to fit preparation around everything else on your schedule.

• SAT study planHow to set a target score and build a week-by-week plan from your first practice test.
• SAT for international school studentsTiming the SAT around an international school calendar and coursework.
• SAT and APBalancing SAT preparation with AP classes and May exams.
• SAT and IBPlanning SAT dates around IB internal assessments and final exams.
• TOEFL and SATWhich test to take first and how preparation for one helps the other.

Where to start

You have never taken the SAT

Read What is the Digital SAT and the structure page, then take one full-length practice test in Bluebook to get a baseline. With that score in hand, the scoring page and the study plan will tell you how far you are from your target and how much time to set aside.

You are retaking the SAT

Start with Using your SAT scores. If the colleges on your list superscore, a retake only needs to raise one section. Then pick a date on the test dates page that leaves enough time to fix what held you back last time.

Your test is a few weeks away

Read the test day page now so nothing about your device or ID surprises you, and spend an hour on the Desmos page if you have not practiced with the built-in calculator. Full-length practice in the final weeks matters more than new material; the Solo Prep mock test gives you Bluebook-style adaptive tests with instant scoring if you have used up the official ones.

FAQ