Comparing Digital and Paper Testing
Similar Policies
Many policies for the digital SAT are the same as for SAT administrations on paper, including policies about:
- Staffing and room requirements
- Photo IDs
- Acceptable handheld calculators
- Prohibited devices
- Monitoring students during the test
Test Day Differences
Test Day Toolkit, the test administration application previously used for paper testing, has new features and plays a larger role on test day for digital SAT. In addition to rosters, student check-in, and irregularity reporting, Test Day Toolkit includes:
- A guided experience for room setup and a short proctor script
- The code students need to start the test
- A dashboard for monitoring student testing
Important: Electronic seating charts aren't yet available in Test Day Toolkit for digital testing.
Technical Readiness and Test Day Troubleshooting
Test coordinators need to work with school or facility technology staff to make sure their test center is ready for test day. They'll also need to reserve a room where students can get help and hire 1 on-site technology monitor.
Technology monitors don't need technical expertise—they'll use troubleshooting tips we provide to help students who have problems signing in to their College Board accounts, starting or taking the test, or submitting responses. Learn more about technology.
Accommodations
Some test accommodations that were previously administered during a school-based SAT administration are now offered in a test center. For example, because the test is shorter, students approved for double time will test in 1 day, so you will test them in the test center.
Other supports, such as large font and color contrast, are available to all students using application features.
Group Types
There are fewer group types for the digital SAT, because students are timed individually and students with different breaks can be seated in the same room.