Digital SAT
Why it is changing:
o SAT is changing to digital bc it is more accessible and better determines
college readiness
Changes:
o Shorter test (1 hr shorter)
o weighted scoring methods
o Reading and writing sections combined, no essay
o Test is modular (a set of questions at a time) and adaptive (can present easier
or harder modules based on perform on previous module) – helps explore
student’s skills
To score as high as possible, make it to the hardest modules
1st module is crucial bc it determines if you can access the harder
questions
Score ceiling- Harder modules are weighted heavier than easier
modules, so even if you get every question correct in the easiest
module, you wont get the full credit for that section
Purpose- to flesh out what a student already knows
Reading/writing changes:
o Each Q has small paragraph, not several questions based on one passage.
o Tests for vocab (more than before), critical thinking, drawing conclusions
Math changes:
o There is not a no calculator portion; students have calculator for all sections
o No pattern of difficulty
o Hard Qs get mixed in throughout
o Ask yourself: can I answer this question? If not, move forward with other
questions
o Has built in calculator that students can access while practicing
Need to know how to use all the functions from the calculator
o More critical thinking and algebra than paper SAT
Best advice for 1st digital test:
o Test prep should be personal and customized
o New practice tests are very similar, use these instead of paper SAT prep
o Start 12 weeks before test date
o 6-8 weeks with heavy time is okay
o Take 4 practice tests
o Practice one subject at a time
o The main change is that it is different, you have to get used to the new format
Colleges will accept SAT scores from paper until it has cycled out (since
test scores are valid for 6 years). Early indicators from College Board's study
show that the digital test has the same predictive power as the paper SAT, so
they will be interchangeable for the time being. That being said, if it's a younger
student (9th, 10th), I would suggest they give a digital a try just to see if they
improve. If a college comes out with a policy different than this, I would be
surprised, as they are considered the same standardized test now.
