“The digital SAT will be easier to take, easier to give and more relevant” said Priscilla Rodriguez, Vice President of College Readiness Assessments at the College Board. “We don’t just put the current SAT on a digital platform – we make optimal use of what makes the digital delivery of an assessment possible[…] With input from teachers and students, we adapt to ensure we continue to meet their changing needs.”
However, the SAT exam isn’t the only test to switch to an all-digital format. The next version of the bar examwhich could debut in 2026, will also be taken entirely on a laptop or computer.
According to a spokesperson for the national conference, most aspiring lawyers are already choosing to take the drafting and performance test portions of the bar exam on their laptops rather than handwriting their answers. However, the Multistate Bar exam currently uses Scranton sheets and paper booklets for its 200 multiple choice questions.
With the introduction of the new, digital exam, the three separate test components will come to an end in favor of an integrated exam. Officials say the new test will focus less on memorizing laws and instead put more emphasis on testing legal skills. Aspiring attorneys will be tested in seven skill areas, including client relations and management, legal research, legal writing, client guidance and advising, and negotiation.