Is the Digital SAT Harder Than the Paper SAT?

When College Board announced the switch to the Digital SAT in 2024, students and parents had one big question: is the new test harder? The short answer is no – but it's different, and those differences matter.

What Changed with the Digital SAT

The Digital SAT is shorter (about 2 hours instead of 3), uses adaptive testing technology, and combines Reading and Writing into one section. Passages are shorter, questions are designed differently, and you can use a calculator on all math questions.

The adaptive format means your performance on the first module of each section determines the difficulty of the second module. This can feel different from the paper test, but the scoring is designed to be equivalent.

Is It Actually Easier or Harder?

For most students, the Digital SAT is neither harder nor easier – it's just different. The shorter passages can feel less exhausting. The calculator access helps some students. The adaptive format can be stressful if you know about it, but the pacing is often more manageable.

The College Board calibrates scores so that a 1400 on the Digital SAT represents the same achievement level as a 1400 on the old paper SAT. Your preparation should focus on the new format, but don't assume it will be dramatically different in difficulty.

How to Prepare for the Digital Format

The best preparation is practice with the actual format. Get comfortable with digital passages, timed practice on a computer, and the specific question types the Digital SAT uses. Generic "SAT prep" may not address the format-specific skills you need.

Try Lyceon's Digital SAT practice to get familiar with the new format and identify your weak areas before test day.