Many students who want to study abroad in US institutions must take one of the most crucial entrance exams: The SAT. If the SAT were to be defined, it would be known as a multiple-choice exam administered with a pencil and paper. Furthermore, it is designed to assess a high school student’s college preparation and is managed by the College Board. Giving institutions a single point of comparison for all applicants is beneficial.
A significant change occurred recently in the SAT tests. The first practice exams for the new digital SAT were made available by the College Board in October 2022. As one of the most significant updates, it will enable students to take exams from anywhere, thanks to the switch from paper and pen to digital format. The numerous curricular teams and the study abroad consultants dove into the update, examining every facet of the revised SAT administration method. Come on, let’s learn more.
The digital SAT: increased accessibility!
These new testing methods are being released at the perfect time for students to begin studying. As the digital SAT is now available to all international students, it has got them curious about its various aspects.
The digital SAT must have piqued your curiosity if you are eager to begin studying or your theoretical test date is still some time off. There are several concerns with the digitalization of SATs. For example, is the new test a suitable fit for you? How can you perfect taking digital tests? And there are many more questions like this. Don’t worry; the best study abroad consultants in Delhi have created a bird’s-eye view of every question type and adaptable module. Let’s get started:
Alteration in the question pattern
Both the testing method and the question format have been modified for the new SAT. After extensive investigation, the best overseas education consultants in Delhi discovered a significant fact. They found out that most SAT questions on digital platforms differ from those on paper tests. Moreover, several outdated questions kinds and topics have been dropped from the digital SAT. However, these question types have analogues on the paper exam.
The digital SAT does not evaluate the following, even though the paper version often assesses them:
- homophones
- Idioms and language that are often misunderstood (ex: affect v. effect)
- historical records
- redundancy and brevity
- sentence structure
- ambiguous pronouns
- within-list parallelism
- putting sentences together
The revised digital SAT has numerous omissions. Furthermore, these omissions make the new test-taking experience seem much more streamlined. The best study abroad consultants in Delhi advise that as many mocks as feasible be performed to grasp this new pattern. Additionally, you will improve your test-day performance by learning the new SAT format. It should be emphasized that with the SAT’s digitization, there will be fewer tactics to study and regulations, for recalling.
New passage kinds and organizational changes in the Digital SAT
The best study abroad consultants compared the digital SAT to previous versions. They discovered that the new test is easier to manage. It is easy to understand:
- The Evidence-Based Reading component of the paper-based test is notable. It is because pupils complain that the test is tough on their mental endurance and attentiveness. This is accomplished through long stretches of 10-11 questions each, which is a protracted arrangement. The digital SAT is shorter, yet it still tests your endurance effectively and uniquely.
- The digital SAT offers six times as many passages to read, but they are shorter in duration. One will need to reset and refocus themselves in the following passage constantly. This new format may play to some readers’ strengths. This was not available previously when the SAT was a paper and pen-test. However, this may cause mental weariness; thus, study abroad experts encourage students to improve their reading capacity through practice tests.
- The historical passages are also removed as part of the update. There is now only one question every test requiring you to compare two paragraphs. In addition, there is a broader range of literary genres represented, including poetry, personal essays, and plays.
Join Admissify
On admissify.com, you may find more updated versions and a large number of SAT mocks to practice with. Moreover, you can meet with the study abroad advisers to discuss improving digital SATs. After all, getting into the most outstanding US schools requires a well-planned strategy! The abroad study scholarship options will also be available from these experts.
FAQs
What is the SAT?
The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. It measures a student’s readiness for college-level work and is typically taken by high school students.
How is the SAT scored?
The SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600, with two main sections: Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. Each section is scored from 200 to 800, and there is an optional Essay section scored separately.
How long is the SAT?
The SAT takes about 3 hours to complete, excluding breaks. If the optional Essay section is included, the total testing time is approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes.
When should I take the SAT?
It is recommended to take the SAT during your junior or senior year of high school. Most students take the test multiple times to improve their scores.
Can I cancel my SAT scores?
Yes, you can choose to cancel your SAT scores. However, you must make this decision on test day before leaving the testing center. Canceling scores means they will not be reported to colleges or scholarship programs.
Can I use a calculator on the SAT?
Yes, a calculator is allowed for the Math section of the SAT. However, there are specific guidelines regarding the types of calculators that are permitted. Visit the College Board website for a list of approved calculators.
Can I take the SAT online?
Yes, the SAT offers an online version called the “Digital SAT.” It is administered on a computer instead of using a pencil and paper. However, not all test centers offer the digital option, so availability may vary.
How often is the SAT offered?
The SAT is typically offered several times a year. The exact dates and test centers can be found on the College Board website. It is advisable to register well in advance to secure your preferred test date.
Gaurav Kandari is a seasoned study abroad consultant with over 5 years of experience, specializing in guiding students to the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. An avid traveler, he draws on his global adventures to enrich his consulting, providing invaluable insights to aspiring scholars.
