What is the structure?

Reading and Writing: two modules of 27 questions, 32 minutes each. Math: two modules of 22 questions, 35 minutes each. 98 questions, 2 hours 14 minutes, a 10-minute break between sections.

Is a calculator allowed?

Yes, throughout the Math section — a built-in Desmos graphing calculator in Bluebook plus your own approved calculator.

When are scores released?

Usually within about two weeks of the test date, in your College Board account.

Take the digital SAT

Two adaptive sections, 98 questions, 2 hours 14 minutes, scored 400–1600 — registration on College Board, a 10–12 week Bluebook-based plan, and the module-2 routing that decides your ceiling.

Time: 10–12 weeks of preparation · test 2 h 14 min plus a 10-minute break
Cost: US$68 in the US; international fee higher (check the College Board fee page); fee waivers for eligible US students
Reviewed: 5 Sept 2026; 6 steps · 17 checks

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The SAT went fully digital in 2023–24 and became shorter, adaptive and faster to score. It is taken in the College Board's Bluebook app on a laptop or tablet at a test centre, and the adaptive design has one practical consequence for preparation: the first module of each section is the one that sets your ceiling.

Register and pick a date

Create a College Board account; register about 4–8 weeks before the test date (deadlines are roughly four weeks out).
Choose a centre; international students should book early, as seats fill.
Pay the fee (US$68 domestic at the time of review; international adds a regional fee) or apply a fee waiver if eligible.

Set up Bluebook

Install Bluebook on the device you will test with and complete the exam-readiness check well before the date.
Take the built-in full-length practice tests; they are the only official adaptive practice.

Learn the two sections

Reading and Writing: short passages, one question each — vocabulary in context, structure, grammar and punctuation, evidence.
Math: algebra, advanced math, problem-solving and data analysis, geometry and trigonometry; a Desmos calculator is built in.
No penalty for guessing; answer everything.

The 10–12 week plan

Week 1: one full Bluebook practice test for a baseline.
Weeks 2–8: alternate days between Reading and Writing skill drills and Math topic practice from Khan Academy's official SAT prep; review every miss by type.
Weeks 9–11: one full timed practice test a week, then targeted review.
Final week: a light review, an early night, a charged device.

Test day

Bring the charged device, charger, admission ticket, photo ID, and an approved calculator if you want one.
Module 1 matters most in each section — accuracy there routes you to the higher-scoring module 2.
Use the mark-for-review flag and come back; you can move freely within a module.

Scores and sending

Scores appear in your College Board account in about two weeks.
Send scores to colleges from the account; the first four are free if selected within nine days of the test.

Questions

What is the structure?: Reading and Writing: two modules of 27 questions, 32 minutes each. Math: two modules of 22 questions, 35 minutes each. 98 questions, 2 hours 14 minutes, a 10-minute break between sections.
Is a calculator allowed?: Yes, throughout the Math section — a built-in Desmos graphing calculator in Bluebook plus your own approved calculator.
When are scores released?: Usually within about two weeks of the test date, in your College Board account.

Sources

The numbers above come from these pages. If a fee or date here disagrees with the source, the source wins.

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1Register and pick a date

2Set up Bluebook

3Learn the two sections

4The 10–12 week plan

5Test day

6Scores and sending