The last major SAT change was six years ago when the test went from 2400 to 1600 and got rid of those pesky vocabulary out of context questions, so I guess we’re all due for some updates. This time it’s all about going DIGITAL.
Considering how much education has shifted to online platforms in recent years due to many things including but not limited to COVID-19, this shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. Many major tests (i.e. GRE, MCAT) have been completely digital for a while, so the SAT has been slow to this party.
So how is it going to be different?
There are two big differences from the current SAT and the digital SAT launching in two years.
No more bubbling in with a pencil. The entire test will be on a tablet or computer. Students will be given login details the day before, and according to the College Board (the company that creates and administers the SAT) students can use school-provided or personal devices to take the test.
The digital SAT will be “adaptive”. This is a big perk of going digital. An adaptive tests means that the test will adapt in real time as the student answers each question. Each section (those are staying the same: Reading & Writing, Math) will be further broken down into “modules”. After a student completes a module, the computer will assess their performance and the next module will adjust accordingly to more accurately test their skills. Again, the adaptive feature has been around for awhile and used on other digitized tests.
Extra Perk: The College Board boasts that the adaptive feature will also ensure that cheating will be nearly impossible since each student’s test will be unique to them.
How long will it be?
This is exciting news… the new digital SAT will be almost an hour shorter
…And every student shouted, “Hooray!”
Instead of the 2 hour 55 minute SAT, the digital SAT will be 2 hours. Also, the time for check in and administering the test will be significantly reduced by the digitized format (think: proctors won’t have to spend time passing out paper copies and materials) so the overall time a student sits for the test will be reduced too.
Preparing students for the brain marathon that is a three hour test is a HUGE thing we focus on with our Beyond Education Test Prep, so dropping the test time by an hour will almost certainly improve students’ performance and mental focus.
Will there be any way to still take a paper copy test?
Yes, but only for those who show proof that accommodations. If a student can prove that their 504/IEP requires access to a paper copy then the College Board will be able to make those arrangements. Just know that you can’t just ask for a paper copy, you have to file specific documentation through the College Board ahead of time to qualify.
When will this new Digital SAT take effect?
Short Answer: Spring 2024 (in the US)
Long Answer: The official transition to the full length digital SAT in the US will take place Spring 2024. The PSAT given Fall 2023 will be the first digital PSAT in the US. So the class of 2025 (this year’s freshmen/first years) will be the first junior class to take the digital SAT. The interesting part is that if they plan well, the class of 2025 could take the paper SAT in the fall, then the digital SAT in the spring, compare results, and decide which to submit to colleges.
International testing sites will start offering the test in March 2023.
College Board has said they will have FREE digital SAT tests available this fall (2022) on Khan Academy for students who want to get a jump start.
So what do we do now to prepare?
As with all new roll outs, I would expect some further updates as they work out all of the kinks. If you have a class of 2025 student make sure they are prepared to take both paper and digital formats. You never know if they will perform significantly better on one over the other, so it’s best to plan to take both. Take advantage of the free online resources for both the current and digital SAT to see if they prefer one over the other. It’s always best to have a plan than wing it.
If you want to chart out a plan to make sure your student will be ready to apply confidently to college, please reach out to Beyond Education to chat. This is our bread and butter, and I would love to talk through your student’s specific needs.
Lara Kilgore
Founder & CEO of Beyond Education
College App Expert
IECA Associate Member
For more information, check out Lara’s interview with San Antonio Charter Mom’s Founder, Inga Cotton, about changes to the digital SAT.