Is the SAT essay still required?

    No. The SAT essay was discontinued in 2021 and is no longer part of the SAT. The Digital SAT has no essay component at all.

    Current status

    The SAT essay is gone. The Digital SAT has exactly two sections — Reading & Writing and Math — and no essay.

    Why it was removed

    College Board retired the essay in 2021. Colleges had stopped requiring it, and research showed it didn't add meaningful information beyond the writing portions of the rest of the test.

    Related SAT questions

    Ready to practice?

    Drill free SAT questions by skill, take timed modules, and project your 1600-scale score.

    ← All SAT FAQs (18)

    SAT® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this product.