SAT is an important global gold standard for university, and college readiness which is now going to be digital. Making its debut in 2023, the digital SAT will be shorter, and more incisive in order to improve test access, quality, and delivery to students around the world. The new format will create a more equitable playing field making testing a more favorable experience for all students.
Now that taking the test has become easier, we are more likely to see a huge increase in the number of test takers for the Digital SAT. According to a survey done in November 2021 by College Board during a pilot digital SAT, 80% of students wanted to submit scores in their college applications.
Now, let’s glance at the new SAT to understand if it’s a boon or bane for the future of testing!
Testing is still crucial
For international students, SAT test scores still remain a great leveler across various academic grading systems. High SAT test scores demonstrate your analytical abilities and college readiness beyond your school academics, and internships. These scores still remain an important tool for top-tier universities and colleges to select promising students.
Even for test-optional schools, a high SAT score still remains a distinguishing factor. In fact, given the ease of the new SAT format, we are likely to see a huge increase in the number of SAT test takers.
The digital SAT test will definitely be easier to take, give, and more relevant. The new SAT SAT will be shorter—about 2 hours instead of 3 for the current SAT, with more time for every question. The digital test will have shorter reading passages with one question attached to each, and passages will consist of a wider range of topics that represent the works students read in college. Calculators will be allowed in the entire Math section. Students will get scores back in a few days, instead of weeks.
By shifting to digital tests, College Board is trying to address inequities in access to technology. Students will be able to access it through their own device (laptop or tablet) or a school issued device. College Board will provide a device in case students don’t have one for use on test day. If there is any sort of connectivity or power issue, the digital SAT has been designed to ensure that students don’t lose their work or time while they reconnect.
The changes will definitely make the SAT more secure. With the present paper and pencil SAT, if one test form is compromised it can mean canceling administrations or scores for a whole group of students. Going digital allows every student to have a unique test form, so it becomes practically impossible to share answers.
The SAT will get digital internationally beginning in 2023 and in the U.S. in 2024. The PSAT/NMSQT will be delivered digitally in 2023. You can get more information about the changes at SAT.org/digital.
An Opportunity to Show Strengths
The SAT continues to play an important role in the holistic admissions process.
When almost every college went test optional during the pandemic, millions of students still took the SAT. That trend kept going with the high school class of 2022. Most students want to take the SAT, find out how they did, and then decide if they wish to submit their scores to colleges. When surveyed, 83% of students selected the option to submit test scores to colleges. This finding remains consistent whether or not students have appeared for the SAT.
When viewed within the context of where a student stays and learns, exam scores can show a student’s grades or demonstrate their strengths beyond what their high school grades may reflect.
The SAT test is available to students at a time when:
- There are a lot of high schools in India. No college can understand and see all of those high schools and each student in them.
- While high school grades are a crucial reflection of students’ knowledge and skill, the share of students graduating high school with an average has grown significantly from 39% in 1998 to 55% in 2021.
- Other parts of college applications, including clubs, sports, academic, and extracurricular activities, often are expensive and inaccessible for many families.
Over the years, one thing that has remained the same on the SAT is its focus on testing college readiness skills in reading, grammar, and math.
We understand that preparing for the SAT can be challenging, and thus ReWiser is here to help you to get an early start on SAT with interactive online training. We have our multiple online SAT batches going on. If interested: Apply now.
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