Last Chance for Current SAT: Big Changes Ahead

The SAT exam, administered as a paper test since its inception on June 23^rd, 1926, is joining

the age of technology as of March 9^th, 2024, when it will launch as a digital, adaptive test.

Students have until October 24^th to register for the November 4^th SAT, and until November 21^st to register for the December 2^nd SAT.  High school students may want to take advantage of these final opportunities before becoming the first group to have to deal with Reading, Writing, Math, and technology all at the same time.

 

Students who take both forms of the test are allowed to pick and choose which scores to use on college applications. Colleges do not know how many times a student has taken the SAT, so students have unlimited “do-overs” and can ultimately control which scores they want colleges to view.

Going digital is not the only change.  The test will be adaptive. There will be two sections, referred to as “modules,” for Reading and Writing, and two sections for Math. The first module for each will be of medium difficulty.  Depending on how well a student performs, he/she will then be given either a “lower” (easier) or an “upper” (harder) module in each of these two areas. Of course, there are different scoring charts for those who are given the lower and the upper modules.   

Another major change is that the Reading and Writing questions, currently on two separate sections, will be merged on both Reading/Writing modules.  Currently the Reading section is comprised of five lengthy stories, and the Writing section is comprised of four lengthy passages. On the digital test, there will be 27 one-paragraph stories on each module, each followed by one question.

 

On the two Math modules, which continue to focus heavily on Algebra with a few Geometry questions and, typically, one or two Trigonometry questions, students will be allowed to use a calculator (either the online version or one that they bring) on all questions. The paper version allowed a calculator on only one of the two sections. As in the past, there will not be Pre-Calculus or Calculus questions on the exam.

 

One aspect of the digital test that most students will appreciate is that it is substantially shorter in length.  While the paper SAT has three hours of questions, the digital version lasts two hours and fourteen minutes in duration.  Whichever test students choose to take, they should arrive well prepared, knowing exactly what to expect.

Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT^® preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362