Is Digital SAT Too Hard? March 9 Test Impressions

The SAT test takes place every year, but only on March 9, 2024, students from the U.S. and all over the world were expecting it like never before. Why? It was the highly anticipated debut of the March 9 SAT! The digital format promised a more efficient and adaptable testing experience, and now everyone wants to hear firsthand impressions from test takers who have already done it. 

Is the digital SAT harder than a paper and pencil test? Is the Math section more complicated? Are practice tests really helpful? Did the College Board change the very nature of the test? Let’s find out all the answers! We’ll dive into the students’ impressions to learn if the digital SAT lived up to the hype or presented a bigger challenge than expected. Read on!

Student Voices: A Rollercoaster of Experiences

Social media went wild after the test. r/Sat subreddit, a popular hangout for test-takers, was filled with reactions. The main topic was the difficulty of Modules 2, especially in the Math section. But that’s not the only hot topic. 

Bluebook Practice Test vs. Real Exam

Does the difficulty of the digital SAT match the real exam? The short answer is “no.” Students commonly claim that the practice tests in the Bluebook were much easier compared to the actual SAT.

 Source: Reddit

Many feel let down by the College Board for this difference. Some students, for instance, scored consistently high on the Bluebook’s Math section but struggled significantly on the real SAT.

While some believe the English section didn’t vary much in practice tests and the real exam, most agreed that the Math section posed a much tougher challenge on the actual SAT. 

Many students echo the idea that the College Board should acknowledge the gap in difficulty between the Bluebook practice tests and the actual SAT exams. So, what was the problem with the Math section? Is there something to be aware of? 

Module 2 Difficulties 

Many students were really frustrated with the Math section, especially Module 2:

Source: Reddit

They’re saying it’s so tough that they feel like throwing their computers away! Some are hoping for the test to be curved because of how hard it is. Despite the math trouble, some students feel good about the Reading and Writing parts of the test – not everyone, though. 

Realizing that there’s no way to bounce back during the test can be really tough. One student shared how they initially thought they could compensate for a weak Reading section with a strong Math performance, only to realize early into the second Module that it wouldn’t be possible. 

Source: Reddit

That student, as well as others, expressed shock over the difficulty of the second Modules for both Reading and Writing, as well as challenging questions in the Math section, which left them uncertain about their expected score compared to their practice test results:

Source: Reddit

Facing the Adaptive Test for the First Time

In the digital SAT Reddit thread, students often wonder about grading curves – another feature of a new format called “adaptive testing.” It seems each question carries a different weight, so there’s no single curve. Messing up an easy question hits harder than failing a tough one, but getting a hard question right gives you a bigger boost. 

So, is digital SAT harder? It’s not about one curve but a balance based on the questions’ difficulty. It is one of the main differences between the two SATs. Some students writing about the digital exam on Reddit believe that a test taker might still find Module 2 questions easy even if they did well on the first Module:

Source: Reddit

The questions in Module 2 are random, so they can be easy regardless of how hard you found Module 1. Many students say it all depends on luck. If you do well in Module 1, you could still score high overall, even if Module 2 is easy. Either way, it is really important to do well in Module 1.

Vocabulary: What Was Missing in the Practice Test?

It is hard to count all the unique or difficult words that you will face in the Reading and Writing section. Despite the fact that students go through “750 essential SAT words” and get high-quality practice tests, there is still a chance to stumble upon something they’ve never heard about. 

Does the same happen in the new digital SAT? Yes, many test takers admit that even though there are shorter reading passages in the digital version, some SAT vocabulary has ended up being too difficult. Here are some words that students found new and never encountered during the practice: 

• Indigenous: native, originally originating from the same place they are found today.

Examples:

“Native Americans, Eskimos/Aleuts/Inuits, and Native Hawaiians are the indigenous populations of the United States.” 

“This plant is originally indigenous to East Asia but is now grown all over the world.”

• Vacillate: to go back and forth between two opinions or positions, refusing to choose one.

Examples:

“While the president vacillated, many soldiers continued to die.”

“As an adult, he vacillated between the religious faith of his childhood and the ardent atheist of his high school years.”

• Preclude: to make another possibility impossible, to prevent the presence, existence, or occurrence of something.

Examples:

“His disability won’t preclude him from living a normal and active life.” 

“To preclude any misunderstanding, let’s put this all into writing.”

• Detractor: critic, someone who disparages someone or something.

Examples:

“You shouldn’t focus too much on your detractors.” 

“Despite her overwhelming popularity, Taylor Swift still has many detractors.”

• Precursor: someone or something that comes before something else; usually, the first thing is necessary for or sets up the second thing; a forerunner.

Examples:

“Fentanyl is generally produced in Mexico, but the precursor chemicals are typically produced in China and imported to Mexico.” 

“Medieval stringed instruments like the lute and the oud were precursors to the modern guitar.”

Is the SAT Hard? Teachers and Tutors Answer

Educators and tutors who’ve been preparing students for the SAT forever also weighed in. They acknowledged the potential of the digital SAT: a more flexible testing environment and the ability to throw some seriously cool question types at students. Take a look at this video: 

Tutors React to the March SAT | Expert Analysis and Tips

But how hard is the SAT? According to one of the popular tutors, even though the test is significantly harder than the practice test, the curve will be more lenient. It means that you still can do well even if you get many answers wrong. In the old paper and pencil SAT, one mistake could drop your score from 800 to 770! Now, Math Modules may look harsh, but a few mistakes might not break your score so badly. 

It changes our perspective on the main question many students have – “Does the digital SAT get harder?” It certainly does, but it also affects your scores differently. The approach to calculating the digital SAT score is not the same as it was in the pencil and paper SAT. 

Bonus: On the Importance of Fighting Test Anxiety

Some students said they forgot their devices in the hassle of test anxiety:

Source: Reddit

Sure, they will have a chance to retake the exam, but you can review a reminder to check if you have everything you need for a test day. 

Here are some tips to keep your cool and ensure a smooth test day:

• Preparation is power. Feeling confident in your material is the best defense against anxiety. Create a solid study plan, utilize practice tests, and clear up any doubts with your teachers or tutors.
• Plan the night before. Pack your bag the night before, double-checking you have everything you need, including your digital device! A good night’s sleep is crucial, too.
• Focus on the present. Don’t dwell on past mistakes or worry about the future. Concentrate on the question in front of you at that moment.

Conclusion

Now when you know more about the digital test format and its challenges, you are better equipped. Make sure you work on the math concepts with your tutor and practice exams to boost your reading comprehension. 

Note that many students are saying the same things, so it is safe to assume they accurately reflect the main difficulties you should be prepared for. Even though it seems that the College Board’s decision to leave paper tests behind did not make the digital SAT easier, you can get the desirable test scores. All the luck!