By: Brooke Carleton
Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Apple Watch: welcome to modern technology!! If you are in the high school class of 2025, you will be the first to take the official digital SAT in the spring of 2024. But what can you expect? What will be the same? Or different? This blog will help you understand the similarities and differences of the digital SAT in order to better prepare for the exam.
Let’s first start with what is staying the same:
- The SAT is still going to be scored on the 1600 scale.
- You will still be taking the digital SAT at a school or testing center in front of a proctor.
- Although the content of the SAT will be changing to better fit a digital exam, it will still test and measure what students are learning in school combined with a focus on college and career readiness.
- Students will still have free testing prep access on Khan Academy and digital full length practice tests.
- Scholarships will still be directly connected to the SAT.
- Students who receive accommodations will still be supported.
Now let’s review some expected changes to the digital SAT:
- Students will have the opportunity to test on either a personal device (laptop or tablet) or a school-issued device. Students who do not have one, will be provided one on SAT test day.
- The digital SAT will now be two hours instead of three. The test will have shorter reading passages with only one question for each.
- Students will receive their digital SAT score sooner.
- The use of a calculator for the entire math section.
- The digital SAT score report will provide information to both two and four year colleges, on-the-job/workforce training program, and careers.
The pandemic has introduced students, teachers, parents to a world of virtual learning and work from home environments, and the digital SAT is adapting to the changes. But don’t fret, you’ll still be able to use scratch paper. Wait, what if my internet goes out? We’ve all been there right? According to Collegeboard, student’s will still be able to continue on with the test regardless of any internet disruptions and their work will be saved. Like many things in life, I predict there might be some hiccups, but the new digital SAT will allow for more flexibility for when, where and how many times the exam can be offered. So be prepared for the new changes and get prepping!
Here is a link to sample questions for the new digital SAT —> https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/digital-sat-sample-questions.pdf
Source: Collegeboard.com