30-Second Summary
What's Happening
The new digital SAT is arriving in March 2024—and the last ever administration of the existing paper SAT will be in December 2023.
Why It Matters
Many 11th graders (Class of 2024), and some 10th graders (Class of 2025), should take the existing paper SAT before it's gone for good.
What You'll Learn in This Article
This article provides a step-by-step approach for 10th and 11th graders to develop your SAT/ACT testing strategy with the digital SAT in mind.
Read On
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Digital SAT Implementation Timeline
Class of 2024 (11th Graders)
- The majority of 11th graders won't take the digital SAT. March 2024 is past most college and scholarship deadlines.
- Your last opportunity to take the existing paper SAT is in December 2023.
Class of 2025 (10th Graders)
- If you choose to take the PSAT as a junior, you will take the digital PSAT in October 2023.
- If you choose to take the digital SAT, your first opportunity to do so will be in March 2024.
- A small minority of current 10th graders (currently taking Algebra II or higher) may wish to take the paper SAT (see below for more guidance on whether this applies to you). Your last opportunity to take the existing paper SAT will be December 2023.
Action Plan - Class of 2024 (11th Graders as of February 2023)
- The majority of 11th graders won't take the digital SAT (March 2024 is past most college and scholarship deadlines).
- Your last opportunity to take the existing paper SAT is in December 2023.
- That means you should take a practice SAT and ACT this spring—no later than May 2023. If you perform better on the practice SAT, then prepare for and take the official SAT as soon as you're ready. You'll want to give yourself time for multiple attempts before December.
Action Plan - Class of 2025 (10th Graders as of February 2023)
- If you're taking Algebra II (or a more advanced math course) right now: Take a practice paper SAT, digital SAT, and ACT by May 2023. If your score highest on the practice paper SAT by a sufficient margin, then consider preparing for and taking the official paper SAT as soon as possible (to give yourself time for multiple attempts before its final administration in December). Otherwise, plan to take the ACT or digital SAT in the fall or spring of junior year.
- Note: We will begin offering practice tests for the digital SAT in April 2023. You can take a practice paper SAT and ACT right now.
- Note: We will begin offering practice tests for the digital SAT in April 2023. You can take a practice paper SAT and ACT right now.
- If you're not yet taking Algebra II: Take a practice ACT and digital SAT in February-May of 11th grade.
Need Personalized Guidance on Your SAT/ACT Strategy? Meet with an Expert.
Meet with our college counselor with North to My Future, your free, individualized college admissions strategy session. During this meeting, we'll provide you with individualized guidance on your SAT/ACT testing strategy—including whether the digital SAT fits into your plans—based on your college and scholarship goals.
If you have already completed North to My Future, please schedule a call with us, and we'll help you design your SAT/ACT testing strategy.
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