Digital SAT: Preparing for the new format

SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardised test to test a student's reading, writing and mathematical ability. The questions spark analytical and critical thinking in a student and bring out aspects like the ability to work under pressure. The universities of the United States use this as a form of evaluation.

Due to the impact of Covid-19, this evaluation process had to be paused for almost three to four years. Many universities used test-optional during this period. The University of California and California State University systems announced a permanent test-free policy around the same time.

Also, recently, the Iowa Board of Regents announced all three state universities in Iowa to be permanently test-optional. This means that students need not submit any standardised test (ACT or SAT) scores to apply to their available degree programmes. Even if they do, a relative advantage will not be given to them compared to the ones who did not submit the test score. The chances of losing credibility and more than 75 per cent of universities going test-optional during Covid impacted the College Board's decision to start Digital SAT.

Features of Digital SAT: Students must take a laptop to the test centre (sometimes the test centres will provide a laptop/ computer) and use the SAT Bluebook app to take the test.

Duration: The duration will be two hours and 14 minutes, with reading and writing having 64 minutes and math section having 70 minutes. For 98 questions, students will get between 47 seconds and one minute and 30 seconds to answer each question, depending on the SAT section. 

Question pattern: Digital SAT introduced a significant change in the reading and writing section. With one question tied to each short passage, the necessity of recalling information from a passage for 13 consecutive questions (paper SAT structure) decreased greatly.

There will be 27 reading questions assessing a student's ability to interpret various texts like literature, history, science or social science. Due to the new structure, while studying the short passage, students can focus on information that matters rather than filling their heads with irrelevant information like they had to in the case of paper SAT.

The writing section has 27 questions testing the grammatical knowledge of the students. According to College Board, Writing and Language questions test four main skill areas: Command of Evidence, Words in Context, Expression of Ideas, Standard English Conventions. Evidence-based reading and writing section has a total score of 800.

Math module 1 and 2 has 22 questions each. One of the biggest changes is in the usage of calculators. Previously calculator was only allowed in one section, but currently, it is allowed in both sections.

The app used for DSAT testing, Bluebook, has a built-in graphing calculator that the students can use in addition to their own approved calculator. The math section has a total score of 800. This makes the total score of the test 1600.

Adaptive application:  The SAT Bluebook app is computer adaptive. This means how well you do on the first module for each section determines the difficulty level of your questions on the second module. The level of difficulty depends on the number of correct and wrong answers. Your score will be curved according to that.

Preparation: Since this started in March 2023, the minimum amount of official resources is published by the College Board. Aside from the four official practice tests, Khan Academy can be used to prepare for the DSAT. Since Khan Academy partnered with College Board, the questions will be up to the standard. Students should remember to maintain time and avoid distractions while taking practice tests.

In a nutshell, replicating the actual testing environment can help students fight test anxiety. A student can also list all the types of questions and make a tally to note down the questions which they get wrong. This will help them review and focus more on those questions.

SAT scoring: SAT score is curved, meaning individual result depends on the collective result and will be scored differently if most test takers do good/bad. 

SAT schedule: Exam fee is US$ 100. The students can choose their test centre based on availability.  SAT can be given one, two or as many times as the student needs. While applying to universities, students must officially send their best SAT scores to the university for consideration with a fee of $12. The countries which accept SAT scores are USA, India, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, Australia, etc.

The significance of SAT is seen throughout the world. The credibility that College Board has established has made SAT a standard for evaluating students. The required score varies in different universities based on the ranking and student body qualification/average CGPA when admitted.

A student should fix a few universities (along with safety schools) and then prepare for the SAT. This way, they can set their expectations accordingly and will not be hurt after the result. That is why it is better to check the SAT score percentile of a university when applying.

If the 25th percentile of a university has a SAT score ranging from 1250 to 1350, it implies that a lower 25 per cent of the admitted students achieved this score. 

Setting a target score and working towards it by following guidelines and reviewing one's mistakes can improve SAT scores. 

The writer is studying at the Department of Finance and Banking, Jahangirnagar University.  

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