Unpacking the NEW Digital SAT®

Say goodbye to bubble sheets and number 2 pencils!

The College Board recently announced what we knew was coming – the SAT® will be delivered in an all-digital format starting in Spring of 2024 (Class of 2025) in the United States (and in Spring 2023 internationally).

One important thing to remember is that you don’t have to wait until junior year to start thinking about this. In fact, you can start thinking about this as early as elementary school, which is the time you should start building the college- or university-going mindset in your home. In short, this mindset is building the expectation that your child will attend college/university after high school.

What's New

• Shorter Test. The new test will be two hours instead of the current three-hour test. And there will be more time per question. No more paperwork – also shortening the time on test day!
• Bring your own computer. Students will be able to bring their own laptop/tablet or school-issued computer. The College Board will provide computers for those who need them.
• Test scores will be available in days versus weeks! This can be super helpful when having to make key college decisions as well as giving students more time to prepare if they decide to take an additional test.
• Calculator allowed on entire math test. There is even a built-in graphing calculator in the digital app so students don’t have to bring their own.
• Built-in Tools. On-screen timer and other built-in tools will assist students with time management and more efficient ways to flag questions to return to later.
• Each student will take a unique version of the test, which makes the test much more secure.
• Adaptive tests. Each test section will be divided into two parts called modules. Questions on the second module will depend on how students did on the first module.
• Scores reports will be expanded to connect students to information about 2-year and 4-year colleges, as well as work force training programs and career options.
• Worry-free technology as students’ work will be saved in the exam application. If the internet goes out, students will still be able to progress through their test on the app. If the battery runs out, students can plug in their device and pick up where they left off. There will even be a technology coordinator at each testing center to assist with any technical issues.



What Stays the Same



• Weekend testing and SAT School Day will continue to take place at test centers, and schools can continue to participate in SAT School Day. There won’t be an at-home testing option.
• Assesses the same skills: The test will still measure the core reading, writing, and math skills that matter most for college and career readiness.
• 1600 Scale: Scores will remain on the 1600 scale.
• Math will still include multiple choice and student-produced response questions.
• Reading/Writing sections remain multiple choice.
• Accommodations are available for students who are eligible for them.



What This Means for You



• Let’s face it – digital tests are just relevant and comfortable to students today. Students lead their lives digitally anyway – so this will be a much less stressful and more familiar way to take the SAT.
• The first students in the US to be impacted by this are the class of 2025 (current high school freshman), and these students will get to experience the digital SAT when they take the very first digital PSAT in the Fall of 2023.
• In the summer of 2022 College Board will be providing more details about the structure of the test and sample test questions – so stay tuned!

10 Tips for Tackling a College/University Visit

1. First, do your research and find out when and where the college visits are scheduled. (Tip: Many are virtual or have a virtual tour option!)

2. Pay attention to the weather if it's an in-person visit. If you visit in winter and the temp is sub-zero, this is pretty much an indication of what the majority of the school year will be like temperature-wise.

3. Visit a local restaurant, coffee shop, or other business frequented by students. Don’t be afraid to ask a student or two a couple questions about their pros and cons.

4. Speak with a professor, meet with a coach or attend a class that interests you and your teen. (Sometimes this can be done virtually.)

5. Read the student newspaper or other student publications, such as literary journals. Check out the school's social media accounts and groups, too.

6. If possible, spend the night in a dorm or participate in a social event, but by all means visit the dorms and find out about other living arrangements.

7. On an in-person visit, take a walk around the campus and its surroundings, observe the student body in its daily life.

8. Attend an on-campus event, sports game, play, concert or poetry reading.

9. Visit the Career Office. The goal is to go from college to a job, and you want to make sure that the school provides resources to help with the job placement process.

10. Have your teen envision him or herself attending the college/university for four years!

Preparing for college is exciting, but can also be nerve wracking. If your teen could benefit from test prep or college/university readiness programs, Sylvan is here to help! Our tutors are amazing at getting scores, grades and confidence up. For more information, please contact your local Sylvan center today!