The SAT is one of the major tests that high school students spend many months thinking about. The majority of students taking the test are juniors who wish to attend college after their graduation; however, the test that has been heavily relied on for an accurate display of student knowledge is changing for the first time since 2016. The SAT is currently used as a way to judge the ability of all students when presented with questions of equal difficulty and importance. 

The changes will begin for international test-takers in 2023 and American students will experience these changes during the 2024 test-taking season. The test will be going digital in order to conform with our digital society, it will be shortened in length, graphing calculators will be permitted, and score results will be released sooner. The SAT will continue to test reading, writing, and math skills. However, a calculator will be allowed throughout the entire math section. 

Although testing will become digital, the test will continue to be taken under supervision at a school or testing site. The reading section will remain with texts and questions; however, the texts will be shorter and contain fewer questions per text. Overall, the length of the test will decrease from three hours to two.

Additionally, not all students will be taking the same test; therefore, offering less opportunity for cheating. The test will also continue to be graded on a scale of 1600.

The changes were done in order to adapt the test to contemporary society. Overall, the changes made to the SAT will influence the way students study for and perceive standardized tests in the future.