My Take on the November 2025 Digital SAT
Key Observations from the November Test
I recently sat for the November Digital SAT, and I want to share a few immediate observations regarding the test's difficulty and the administration procedures.
1. A Break from the Pattern
This test appears to be the first significant deviation from the difficulty pattern observed since August, where the Reading & Writing (English) section generally felt easier, and the Math section carried more weight in overall score calculation.
In the November administration, the English section became noticeably challenging overall. I personally found Module 2 of the English section particularly difficult, much more than I had expected. This assessment is echoed by many test-takers, though opinions are heavily divided, which leads directly to the next point.
2. Randomization Rumors are Gaining Traction
The varied opinions on test difficulty lend support to an unconfirmed rumor: to enhance security and combat cheating, College Board allegedly prepared up to 20 different test versions for this administration, far more than the rumored usual four.
While this has not been officially confirmed by College Board, the strong divergence in student experiences (some finding the test very easy, others very hard) suggests a high degree of test randomization was in play. If you found this test difficult and are now hearing people online say it was easy, remember: you likely took a completely different exam.
3. Confirmed Device Policy Changes
On the administrative side, one confirmed change is the expansion of College Board's strategy to mandate the use of school-provided devices or iPads in some testing centers, effectively banning students from bringing their own laptops.
This move is a significant effort by College Board to further control the testing environment and combat the proliferation of shared test content. Make sure to check your testing center's specific device requirements ahead of time to avoid any last-minute surprises, though test centers that did participate in this policy change in the November test did provide devices to students without issue.