25 Jan 2022
SAT Moving Online and other Changes
This recent announcement by the College Board brings us the most significant changes to the SAT in years. Beginning in 2024, (2023 internationally), the SAT will be offered online at test centers, scrapping the paper and pencil version.
Other Changes
- The length of the test will be reduced from 3 hours to 2 hours. While the current test has a no-calculator section, the new test will allow the calculator for the entire math section.
- Reading passages will be shorter and more varied, with one question for each passage.
- The test will have two sections, Reading and Writing, and Math. The total score will be 800 for each section.
- There will be more time available for each question.
- Each math question will include a reference sheet with common formulas.
- Questions will be more direct than they are currently.
- Each section will begin with introductory questions, and the following questions will be personalized, depending on how the student answered the introductory questions. This is called adaptive testing.
According to the College Board,
Many large-scale assessments use adaptive testing, and more than 30 years of research shows the benefits of adaptive testing, including:
- More precise measurement
- Tailored questions to meet students’ needs
- Shorter tests
- More secure testing
Advantages
- There will be much less leeway for fraud due to different questions on each exam and the lack of test booklets and answer sheets.
- Students will not have to worry about filling in their bubbles correctly, which can now cause inappropriate low scores if not done accurately.
- Scores will be returned much quicker, within days of taking the test.
- Shorter reading passages make it easier for students to focus.
- The tests are designed to be more accessible to students who cannot afford to hire test prep tutors.
Link to the College Board Blog.
Meanwhile, Should your Child take the SAT or ACT?
Since the pandemic began, most colleges have moved to test-optional, at least for the time being. However, most applicants continue to take the SAT or ACT. This is why: While college admissions will not penalize you for not taking the test, scoring well will give you an advantage – another reason they should accept you. A private tutor can zone in on what each student needs to concentrate on most in order to receive a top score. In addition, many colleges include test scores in their criteria when offering financial aid.
Tutoring For Success Test Prep Program
- Most of our test prep is now online, using Zoom. This has worked extremely well and enables us to make excellent matches with easy and convenient scheduling.
- Most students have 2 tutors, one who specializes in reading and writing, and one who specializes in math. These tutors have many years of successful experience tutoring for the SAT and ACT.
- Tutors personalize the sessions to concentrate on what each student needs to work on most.
- Specific test taking strategies are emphasized.
- Practice and time management are part of the plan.
- Most students will take the SAT and/or the ACT at least twice – once in the junior year and once in the senior year.
Please contact us with any questions or to set up a test prep plan. For more information, visit our test prep page.
