--- title: The SAT is going digital — but does it matter? - The Hustle description: The College Board is making massive updates to the test as more schools move away from requiring entrance exams. image: https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/562441601-News-Brief_2022-01-31T000032.618Z.webp --- # The SAT is going digital — but does it matter? ![Rob Litterst](https://thehustle.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Rob-Litterst-pic.png?width=48&height=48&name=Rob-Litterst-pic.png) [Rob Litterst](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/author/rob-litterst) [Rob Litterst Twitter profile ](https://twitter.com/robbylit) Published: January 31, 2022 Updated: October 11, 2023 If you still have nightmares about breaking your No. 2 pencil or filling in the wrong bubble on the SAT test form, you may sleep better after hearing recent news. ![The SAT is going digital — but does it matter?](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/562441601-News-Brief_2022-01-31T000032.618Z.webp?width=595&height=400&name=562441601-News-Brief_2022-01-31T000032.618Z.webp) The standardized test, which once played a massive role in college admissions, is [undergoing](https://www.wsj.com/articles/sat-to-go-digital-11643115606?mod=hp_lead_pos10) a digital transformation, per *WSJ*. #### **What’s changing?** Along with the digital format, the new version of the test — which will go live internationally in March 2023 and in the US in March 2024 — has several changes to make it more tolerable: - The updated version will take ~2 hours, down from 3 - Reading passages will be shorter, and math problems will be less wordy - Test scores will be available within days rather than weeks While this is undoubtedly good news for future students, it raises the question: Why the change? #### **Long story short, business isn’t exactly booming** College Board, the parent company behind the SAT, has faced a slew of challenges in recent years, including: - Losing market share to its rival, the ACT - Criticism of SAT scores being closely tied to a student’s race and wealth - Schools moving away from requiring standardized tests in general These developments led to a ~27% drop in the fees collected for College Board’s services and programs in 2020. And it’s likely to get worse — 76%+ of 4-year colleges won’t require entrance exams this year. #### **Not everyone is out on the SAT** Students from wealthy households are still [flaunting](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-24/wealthy-teens-tout-test-results-colleges-no-longer-require?sref=3Ac2yX40) their scores, with 53% submitting the test this year compared to 39% from lower-income households. So if the SAT still haunts your dreams, rest assured future generations won’t have to feel your pain — unless they want to. Topics: [Education](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/tag/education) ## Follow us on social media prev next - ![Student loan repayments are back and more confusing than ever](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1645811006-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-StudentLoans_20230831230545.webp) ### Student loan repayments are back and more confusing than ever - ![Looking for an edge in attracting talent? 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