You should be able to do anything in Sage 50 2024 that the courses suggest for 2020.  I would not worry about the differences in versions.  Some features have been added but not many.

Sage will not open the student data files, error flag says the files are incompatible.

Sorry, I wasn't aware they were limiting the use and then not updating the coursework versions.

Maybe the moderator can move this thread to the Students forum if there are people there that can help with the older version.  Normally any version prior to the prior year's release is considered obsolete so 2020 has been obsolete since Mar 31/21.  2023 will be obsolete in Apr/23.  I would be very surprised they would not continue to support the student versions though through the University and Student forum.  The whole idea is to get people using the program.