With the drastic changes in how students learn and access different educational content, it is no surprise that standardized testing is also evolving. College Board is also embarking on a transformative journey by introducing the digital PSAT and SAT last Fall 2023. This significant change in how students take the SAT opens a new era for college assessments, admission programs, and test accessibility. With these transitions from paper to screen, it’s inevitable for students to ask, “Is the Digital SAT easier?”. This article delves into the myths and realities surrounding the new SAT format.
Breaking Down the Changes in the SAT
College Board’s decision to switch from pen and paper to digital SAT marks the beginning of a new era. With more students adapting to digitized learning, the digital SAT is a welcome change. International students have started taking the digital SAT as early as Fall 2022 and is available for students in the US starting Spring of this year (2024). This tells us that the new batch of SAT takers are facing a new SAT format. This is why teachers, parents, and students need to understand the changes in the PSAT and SAT in this new digital landscape.
With everything new, it’s no wonder that you’ll encounter several questions appearing in different online communities regarding the digital SAT. Here are some questions often asked online:
- “Is the digital SAT easier?”
- “What’s new in the digital PSAT and SAT?”
- “Is the new SAT format better than the old format?”
Don’t worry, this article covers all the essential facts about the digital SAT. Let’s debunk some myths about this new format and clarify key facts necessary for anyone preparing for the SAT.
Time To Dispel the Myths About the Digital SAT
One of the leading myths about the digital SAT is that it’s easier than the traditional paper SAT. While it’s true that the digital format makes it more convenient and accessible, the questions are equally challenging. The digital SAT is designed to reflect the adaptive nature of learning in this era, so with interactive features and tools for easier navigation, the new SAT format is still consistent regarding the academic rigor required for the SAT.
True to its mission of breaking down the barrier between traditional and digital formats, it’s time to say goodbye to flipping through each test booklet and diligently shading the answer sheets. This makes the digital SAT more efficient and accessible. The duration of a digital test is 2 hours and 14 minutes. For comparison, the traditional paper SAT takes 3 hours.
The table above shows how time is allotted for the digital SAT. It takes 64 minutes to complete the Reading and Writing section and 70 minutes to complete the Math section. There is a mix of easy, medium, and hard problems for the two sections’ modules. This ensures that students taking the digital SAT are still being tested to the same standards regardless of the test format. This debunks the myth that the digital SAT is easier. It’s adaptive, literally and metaphorically, to ensure students have a better user experience without compromising the standardized testing’s integrity.
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Knowing the Changes in the PSAT and SAT
While the difficulty and standards remain the same for both SAT formats, there are significant changes when it comes to students’ test-taking experience. Aside from the test’s duration shortening in the digital format, students can access a built-in calculating device which is consistent with the College Board’s aim of making the SAT more accessible. Students can easily mark the questions they plan to skip and come back later on, enhancing the test-taking experience for students. The digital format allows students to navigate through questions back and forth allowing them to be more strategic when completing each module.
Another significant distinction between the digital PSAT and SAT and the traditional format is the digital format’s multi-stage adaptive design. In the previous SAT, all test takers are working on the same sets of questions. For the digital SAT, the second module’s questions will depend on the student’s performance and abilities reflected in the previous modules. The adaptive approach allows students to be tested on their knowledge and abilities in real-time. This helps students relieve their test anxieties and at the same time, still be challenged in the next modules. Students must be aware of this design and recognize how this format allows the test to be tailored to each test-taker’s strengths and weaknesses.
Embracing the Future With the Digital SAT
The digital SAT is here to stay, so students should be equipped with the right information, materials, and practice books they can effectively use for this digital test. When preparing for the digital SAT, students should get used to answering questions in similar formats. The questions from the past paper SAT can still be used to build on the key skills and have a strong knowledge base. However, students should adapt right away and try out adaptive practice tests. This is where resources such as Acely come in – its adaptive and digital approach allows students to get used to answering SAT questions through their laptops, tablets, or PCs. Integrate the non-adaptive and adaptive tools for an optimized approach to preparing for the SAT.
With all new things, it does take time for us to get used to them. This includes the transition from the traditional SAT to the digital SAT. This is why it’s even more important now to sign up for reliable resources, take expert-approved practice questions, and invest in digital platforms such as Acely. Regardless of the test format, it’s important to be prepared, informed, and confident. This can be possible by having the right information, dispelling myths, and being committed during the preparation.
