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Digital SAT vs Traditional SAT: Score Differences Explained
6 min read
The Digital SAT represents the biggest change to the test in decades. Here's everything you need to know about how it compares to the traditional paper-based SAT.
The Bottom Line: Scores Are Equivalent
Digital SAT scores and traditional SAT scores are completely equivalent. Both use the 400-1600 scale and are accepted equally by colleges.
Key Format Differences
Traditional SAT
- Paper and pencil
- 3 hours long
- Fixed question set
- 154 total questions
Digital SAT
- Computer-based
- 2 hours 14 minutes
- Adaptive (adjusts to performance)
- 98 total questions
Adaptive Testing: The Biggest Change
The Digital SAT uses multistage adaptive testing. The difficulty of the second module depends on your performance in the first module.
Testing Experience
- Shorter time: 46 minutes less than paper.
- Faster results: Days instead of weeks.
- Built-in tools: Graphing calculator available for all math questions.