To adjust to the changing landscape of standardized testing, in 2024 the College Board will be offering the SAT digitally to students in the United States. Covid-19 and other factors caused a decreased demand for SAT scores by colleges causing many high schools to forego in-school SAT testing. Because of this, students have less access to and incentive to take the SAT than ever before. To support students’ changing needs, College Board has adapted the SAT to an improved digital format. They believe this change will increase student interest and make the test more relevant to student needs.
According to Priscilla Rodriguez of College Board, “the digital SAT will be much easier to take, easier to give, and more relevant.” Rodriguez claims this testing format will benefit students as it is similar to the online tests they’ve seen in school. The digital SAT will be adaptive, meaning questions will vary based on student answers. The efficiency of adaptive testing means that students will spend around two hours taking the test digitally as opposed to three hours with the previous manual version. Other changes include shorter reading passages and access to calculators for the entirety of the math section.
To take the SAT digitally, students will meet at a testing location where the test can be monitored. Students may use their own computers. However, if a student does not have access to a computer, one will be provided to them for the duration of the test. Students will no longer need extraneous materials such as writing utensils and calculators. Therefore, lack of access to these materials will no longer be an issue. In addition, digital SAT scores will now be available just days after testing as opposed to several weeks with the hand-written version. The College Board believes these adjustments will benefit students by modernizing the standard SAT format.
Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266