On January 25, 2022, the College Board announced a redesign of the SAT®. Planned changes include making the test fully digital, adaptable, and shorter. The goal is to provide a more convenient testing experience for students and families.
What We Know About the New Digital SAT
The College Board has already shared information about the new test format as well as the transition from the current test to the new digital SAT.
The Redesigned SAT Will Be Digital Only
Unlike the 2021 AP exams, which are the most recent time the College Board offered digital testing, students and schools will not be able to choose between a digital or paper option. All students will take the newly redesigned digital SAT. Only students who qualify for testing accommodations that specify a need for pen and paper testing will have that option.
The Digital SAT Will Be Adaptive
Both the verbal and math sections of the new digital SAT will have two sets of questions each. How a student performs on the first set of questions will determine what questions appear in the second set of each section. The level of questions appearing in the second set determines the overall maximum score a student could achieve. This new approach allows the College Board to trim roughly one hour from the total testing time while also increasing the time a student has to answer each question.
Timeline of the Updated SAT
The new digital SAT will be rolled out as follows:
- Fall 2022: Full-length practice tests will be released.
- Spring 2023: International testing centers will offer the digital SAT.
- Fall 2023: Digital PSATs will be administered in the U.S.
- Spring 2024: U.S. testing sites will administer the digital SAT.
Digital SAT Scoring and Administration
Key points about the scoring and administration of the new digital SAT include:
- Tests will only be administered at schools or testing centers.
- Students may take the test on a personal or school-issued laptop or tablet.
- Scores will continue to be reported on a 1600 scale.
- Scores will be available within a few days of taking the test.
Changes to the Reading and Writing Sections
Changes that will be made to the SAT reading and writing sections include:
- The reading and writing sections of the SAT will be merged into a single section rather than a separate reading section and writing section.
- There will no longer be long passages. Each brief text will include a single question.
- Texts may be paired with another short text or a table/graph.
- Topics will be more varied and reflective of the reading students do in college.
Changes to the Math Section
Changes that will be made to the SAT math section include:
- There will no longer be a no-calculator section of the test. Calculators will be allowed for the entire math section.
- Word problems will be slimmed down.
- The test will still include student-produced responses (grid-ins).
What Is Still Unknown About the New Digital SAT
There are still some details that are unknown about the new test format as well as the transition from the current SAT to the new digital SAT.
Students with Learning Differences
Although the College Board has integrated accessibility features into the new testing application, we’ve yet to learn whether the new test format will positively or negatively affect students with learning differences. This may depend on the type of accommodation needed.
Test Date Scheduling
The current SAT is administered in the U.S. seven weekends each year, with additional opportunities for school day testing at many high schools. Since the new test is online and adaptive, it allows for more flexible scheduling of test dates, but it is still unclear whether the College Board will substantially alter the existing test date schedule.
Repeat Testing
The number of times a student can take the SAT is limited due to the limited number of test dates available. Assuming the scheduling of test dates will be more flexible, as discussed above, this could allow more opportunity for repeat testing unless the College Board puts explicit limits on repeat testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about the new digital SAT.
Can I take the digital SAT at home?
No. Although the redesigned SAT is digital, it will only be administered at school or at testing centers.
Should I take the new SAT even if most colleges remain test optional?
Yes. Under test optional admission policies, good SAT scores lend a huge advantage. Submitting strong test scores helps you to stand out and offers admissions officers an additional positive data point to consider. SAT scores can only help your applications!
Will colleges prefer the new SAT over the current SAT or the ACT?
Based on past precedent, all colleges that evaluate test scores as part of the admissions process will continue to consider these tests equally. Students should take the test that they will perform best on—colleges will not give preference to one test over another.
Will the ACT change?
As of now, the ACT has not announced any plans to change its test. The ACT is already offered digitally at international test centers and at some schools. If the ACT announces additional changes, 宝博体育 Education will keep you informed.
When will we learn more about the digital SAT?
宝博体育 Education will continue to keep families informed as new information becomes available. The College Board has said that they will release additional details this summer, and practice materials and tests will become available this fall.
How will 宝博体育 Education help students prepare for the new test?
With over two decades of test prep experience, 宝博体育 Education has helped thousands of students navigate SAT redesigns in 2005 and 2016. In fact, ahead of the 2016 SAT redesign, 宝博体育 Education was the first to market with a full-scale, highly customizable SAT prep solution. We look forward to helping students navigate this new SAT redesign with the same high-quality test prep solutions we have always offered.
Should students wait until digital practice solutions are available?
No—early prep is the best prep! Our most successful students spend months or years preparing for the PSAT and SAT, mastering the foundational reading, writing, critical thinking, and math skills required to excel on test day and beyond. The digital SAT will focus on these same core skills, so preparing early using current 宝博体育 materials will help students boost scores regardless of which version of the SAT they plan to take. Prepping early with paper materials allows students to establish the fundamentals ahead of time so that they can focus on digital testing strategies when the time comes.
Ready to get started on SAT prep? Contact us today for your personalized test prep plan.
Want to learn more? Visit our Digital SAT Resource Hub.
Study Skills: You Ask, We Answer
STUDY SKILLSIn our most recent webinar, we shared the best study tips and strategies for a great school year. We received many questions from parents and students during the live webinar about study skills, organization, and time management. We wanted to share the answers to a few of our favorites. Take a look!
Should I use folders or binders to organize my papers?
Great question! Organization is a key study skill. We recommend you experiment with different methods of organization until you find the one that works for you. You could try binders, folders, or even binders AND folders. If one option seems to work for you, then go for it!
What do you recommend for taking notes?
Taking notes is key to academic success. Find the process that works best for you! Research suggests that handwritten notes can be more useful than typed notes, but you should take notes in the way that best helps you capture the important points and keep them organized for studying later on.
How do you get a 6th grader to start using a calendar?
It’s never too early to practice organization and time management skills, and a calendar is a great step! You might see if your 6th grader may be more willing to keep track of test dates, due dates and school events on a calendar app on a phone, tablet, or school computer. Sometimes being on a device actually helps!
Does 宝博体育 help students follow these study strategies if a student struggles with study skills?
Absolutely! Our teachers weave study skills into lessons to ensure that students aren’t only learning subject information, but also developing the necessary skills to become lifelong learners. This is key to what 宝博体育 offers our students and families.
Get started with test prep or tutoring with 宝博体育 today by reaching out to your local center!
2022 College Admissions Timeline
COLLEGE ADMISSIONSPreparing to apply for college can feel overwhelming. When do I start the process? What part of a college application is most important? Do my grades as a freshman really make a difference? These are all common questions, and we’re here to answer them. See our master college admissions timeline below for all the steps you should take each year of school to stay on track and submit your strongest college application when it’s finally that time.
Every School Year
There are key things you can do every school year to stay on top. These items include:
Middle School
Believe it or not, the college admissions timeline starts in middle school. Grades and classes in middle school lay the foundation for high school. Here are some things middle schoolers can focus on:
Freshmen
Starting high school can feel overwhelming for freshmen. Focusing on the key items below will help set students up for their entire high school experience:
Sophomores
Sophomore year is when many students start taking AP® and begin preparing for college admissions exams. Tasks in the college admissions timeline to prioritize include:
Juniors
Junior year of high school can feel busy and frantic. There’s a lot to do with college applications quickly approaching, and here’s what you should focus on:
Seniors
Seniors: You’re almost there! College is right around the corner. Here are the steps in the college admissions timeline to ensure you finish high school strong and go into college feeling proud and confident:
Ready to get started? Reach out to your local 宝博体育 Center today and ask about our college counseling service.
All College Admissions Exam Dates: 2022-23 School Year
Resources, TEST PREP, Test PrepWhen preparing to apply to college, there’s a lot to plan for. Applications, admission exams, grades, and course rigor are all major components. We’re making it a little bit easier for you by providing all exam dates in one place. This includes SAT®, PSAT®, ACT® and all AP® exam dates for the 2022/23 school year. Take a look and start planning!
SAT® Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
Use the dates below to plan when to register and take the SAT exam.
*Late fee applies
PSAT/NMSQT® Test Dates
See below for the PSAT exam dates, which is the exam to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. Students don’t register for this exam through the College Board. School districts decide if they will offer the PSAT exam.
ACT® Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
See below for the ACT exam dates. If a student is unable to test on Saturday, there may be options available for non-Saturday testing.
*Late fee applies
**No test centers are scheduled in New York for the July test date.
AP® Exam Dates
The 2023 AP Exams will be administered in schools over the first two weeks in May.
May 1, 2023
Spanish Literature and Culture
May 2, 2023
Environmental Science
May 3, 2023
Computer Science A
May 4, 2023
Macroeconomics
Statistics
May 5, 2023
United States History
Microeconomics
Art and Design: The deadline for AP Art and Design digital portfolios to be submitted to the AP Program is Friday, May 5, 2023 (8 PM ET). The last day for 2-D Art and Design and Drawing students to assemble physical portfolios is also May 5.
May 8, 2023
Calculus BC
Italian Language and Culture
May 9, 2023
Japanese Language and Culture
May 10, 2023
May 11, 2023
World History: Modern
May 12, 2023
Music Theory
Physics 2: Algebra-Based
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism: The exam is Tuesday, May 9 at 2:00 PM.
AP Seminar and AP Research: The deadline for students to submit performance tasks as final and their presentations to be scored by their AP Seminar or AP Research teachers is May 1 (11:59 p.m. ET).
AP Computer Science Principles: The deadline for students to submit their Create performance task as final is May 1 (11:59 p.m. ET).
Ready to get started on test prep? Reach out to your local 宝博体育 Education center today to get started!
SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product. ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. PSAT/NMSQT® is a trademark jointly owned by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which were not involved in the production of, and do not endorse, this product. AP®, Advanced Placement Program® or Pre-AP® is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product. None of the trademark holders are affiliated with 宝博体育 Education or this website.
How to Write a Unique College Essay
College Adm, COLLEGE ADMISSIONS, ResourcesLast year, colleges continued to see record numbers of applications and low acceptance rates. When schools get more selective, college essays become an increasingly important part of admission decisions. Your essay needs to help you stand out of the crowd so that admissions officers want to advocate for you to become a part of their school. The essay is YOU. Not stats or grades or test scores or achievement lists. This is your voice showing your personality and telling your experience. It’s your chance to reveal who you are, what you care about, and why you would be a great addition to their next freshman class. A unique college essay takes work — lots of work. In between picking a topic and calling it done, there’s outlining, drafting, reviewing, rewriting, editing, and polishing.
Choose the Right Topic
What makes a great topic?
With almost any essay prompt, but especially those prompts that ask about you and your experiences, your topic should be a story. You should leverage a narrative to illustrate something meaningful about yourself. For example, perhaps you want to show that you rise to a challenge. You might write about achieving success in a particularly tough class, but that is not particularly unique. Instead, you might consider writing about the time you decided to learn how to change the oil in your car or the time your mom bet you that you couldn’t live without your cell phone for an entire week—and you did. Your unique essay topic doesn’t have to be about a life-altering event. The difference between your experiences and those of your peers is much more likely to be found in the details of your life than in the milestones. So don’t focus solely on the big events. Instead, look for a unique story that shares something meaningful about you.
Take time to brainstorm
Start by brainstorming. Have a plan for your brainstorming process and g yourself plenty of time for this step. you don’t have to find the perfect idea right away. If you start a draft with one idea, and it doesn’t work for you, there’s no harm in going back to the drawing board. Some great areas of your life to consider when brainstorming are your activities, hobbies, skills, experiences, personality, and values.
Story + Message = Topic
Another solution to finding the right topic is to think about it like an equation. You need a story and the underlying message you want to convey. These are the two components that create your topic. You can approach your topic from either side of the equation. Sometimes you have a story you really want to tell and then you can think about the messages you might be able to get across with that story. Other times, you might have a particular message about yourself that you really want to share and then the task is to brainstorm some stories that might represent that message.
Use the Right Voice
What is the right tone for a unique college essay? It should be authentic, engaging, and personal—in other words, it should sound like you. Granted, a you who has gone through multiple rounds of editing and revision to make every word count—but still you.
Here are a few tips to make your essay sound like you:
Get Started on Those Opening Lines
One impossible mission for a lot of students: those opening lines. A blank screen is intimidating, but it can be overcome. A good introduction accomplishes two goals: it engages the reader through a great hook, and it sets the stage for the rest of the essay. Here are the two components:
Overcome Writer’s Block
Nothing is more frustrating than getting stuck when you’re writing, but here are some strategies to get you through:
Explain Who You Are
And now for the toughest mission of all: how do you explain all the amazing traits that make up who you are to a stranger? The answer is: You don’t. There are probably a lot of great traits that make up who you are. But you only have so many words that you can use in this essay. And if you try to share everything in this one essay, you’ll end up with a mess. You’ll only be able to dedicate a tiny amount of space to each trait, which means that rather than giving the reader a meaningful look at who you are, you’ll barely skim the surface of a whole bunch of ideas.
Ready to get started? 宝博体育 Education offers a college essay program that focuses on crafting powerful, unique college essays that truly represent you and enhance your overall admissions strategy. You will engage in both asynchronous and synchronous learning to master the art of crafting exceptional essays. Get started today!
How To Navigate Competitive College Admissions
College Adm, COLLEGE ADMISSIONS, ResourcesCollege admissions has become more competitive than ever. Applications are up, and acceptance rates are down. What is the data telling us, and what can students do to make themselves stand out and get into great schools? Keep reading to find out!
College Application Numbers Are Up
Let’s start with a quick trivia question: How many applications did UCLA receive for fall 2022? The answer is…. 149,779 applications! UCLA received more applications than any other college, making it the most sought-after university in the country.
Now, UCLA is an extreme case, but it’s in line with the competitive college admissions trends we’re seeing across schools. Most top ranked colleges have hit record-high application numbers over the last two admission cycles. Just look at the increases among the Ivy League. Since 2020, Harvard has had an increase of more than 20,000 applications!
And the trend extends beyond Ivy League and private schools. Plenty of public schools announced record-high application volumes, too, including:
College Acceptance Rates Are Down
Those record-high application volumes translate into record-low acceptance rates. Of the top 20 universities last year according to U.S. News and World Report, 16 made their admissions statistics publicly available. Of those, 15 schools reached a record-low admission rate in 2021. The only school that did not is Rice University.
But is this a short-term fluke? Let’s dig a bit deeper into the data for one school: NYU. Below you can see both application volume and acceptance rate over the last several years. While there was a sizable jump in 2020, likely due to the pandemic, application volume had already been trending steadily upward for years. It wasn’t long ago that NYU’s admission rate was around 37%. This year, it hit 12%, and has been trending downward over the last eight years.
Uncertainty Increases Competition
This increased competition is the product of a self-perpetuating cycle. When competition increases, it creates fear and uncertainty, so students submit more applications. This makes the application rate rise, which then causes the admission rate to drop. This then increases competition, and the cycle continues.
This cycle is not only true of students — colleges face a lot of uncertainty, too. With students applying to more schools than ever before, colleges are having trouble predicting yield, which is the percent of admitted students who ultimately enroll. This has led to an increased reliance on waitlists and a very unpredictable and competitive college admissions landscape.
What Can Students Do to Navigate Competitive College Admissions?
Start with the numbers
Competitive numbers will get you in the door to your dream schools. This includes GPA, course rigor, and test scores. Here are some specific examples:
Pay attention to qualitative factors
Strong numbers are only a start; they’re not enough on their own to get you into your dream school. Last year, the Brown Dean of Admissions said that they could easily have admitted two or three classes with nearly indistinguishably amazing academic credentials. This means that qualitative factors count more now than ever before. This includes essays, teacher recommendations, college interviews, activities, and experiences. Here are a few things to consider:
Include a variety of schools on your list
With increased competition, even if you do everything right, there is still uncertainty. Include a variety of schools on your list, including safety schools. Here’s what the UCLA Director of Admissions had to say at the end of this year’s application cycle: “We’re seeing significant increases among our strongest students. The increasing number of applications has led to declining admit rates and increasing uncertainty around admission outcomes. I think this reiterates the value of having a strong list of colleges as a prospective student. Selectivity is not a proxy for quality. Exceptional colleges come in all shapes, sizes, and admit rates.”
Focus on the things you can control
To a certain extent, it helps to take a Zen approach to college admissions. Focus on the things you CAN control rather than the things you can’t. Take challenging classes, get top grades, earn a top test score, do well on AP or IB exams – these are all variables within your control. What’s not in your control? That C you got freshman year. So stop worrying about and focus on what you can control NOW.
Your extracurricular activities, the quality of your essays, how prepared you are for interviews, and what kind of relationships you build with your teachers—those are all within your control. What’s not in your control? If someone else wins student body president or if someone else got the internship you wanted.
Your college search—where you choose to apply—is in your control. Go for the gold and stack the odds in your favor with plenty of safety schools.
Interested in learning more? Check out our webinar on admissions data and what students can do to set themselves up for success.
Why You Should Submit Scores to Test-Optional Schools
Resources, Test Prep, TEST PREPMany schools temporarily changed their admissions policies to test-optional during the pandemic. It was difficult to administer tests safely, and many test sites closed during 2020. Since then, some schools have returned to requiring test scores, like MIT. Other schools have gone the opposite way and permanently adopted test-optional policies.
But what does test-optional really mean? And should students still submit test scores to these schools?
Test-Optional vs. Test-Blind vs. Test-Flexible
Although these terms seem similar, they each represent a different policy schools have adopted. What’s the difference?
Test-optional schools
Test-optional means a school does not require ACT or SAT test scores for admission. However, submitted scores will still be considered in the admissions process. In other words, if you send scores, colleges will look at them.
Test-blind schools
Test-blind means that test scores will not be reviewed or considered at all in the admissions process, even if ACT or SAT scores are submitted. Whether you send scores or not, admissions officers won’t look at them.
Test-flexible schools
Test-flexible schools allow applicants to choose what test scores they would like to submit. Students pleased with their SAT or ACT scores can submit these, but tests like an International Baccalaureate exam score or an Advanced Placement test score can also be submitted and considered.
What Schools Are Test-Optional?
For the seniors applying for fall 2022 admission, 1,830+ schools did not require SAT or ACT scores for admission. 1,400+ schools also extended this policy for juniors. In general, many liberal arts colleges have continued with test-optional policies while certain engineering schools and some public schools are returning to requiring scores for admission.
You can find the full list of test-optional schools here, but remember that it’s important to do your research. After all, test-optional policies can vary widely from school to school, and at most test-optional schools, it’s still a good idea to submit test scores.
Four Reasons to Submit Test Scores to Test-Optional Schools
1. ACT and SAT scores still affect acceptance rates
While ACT and SAT scores may not be required for admission at test-optional schools, data shows that students who submit scores are accepted at higher rates than those that do not submit scores.
Below is data from two schools: Notre Dame and the University of Virginia. For the class of 2026 Early Action at Notre Dame, 54% of applicants submitted scores while 46% did not. However, 70% of admitted students submitted scores, and 30% did not. This means that students that submitted test scores had an admission rate of 22.4%, and those that did not submit scores had a much lower admission rate of 11.3%. This is not limited to private universities: University of Virginia, a public school, has similar data. Students who submitted scores at UVA saw an admission rate of 23.8%, compared with just 11.6% for those who didn’t submit scores.
2. Test scores are required for certain scholarships
Many test-optional schools still require test scores for certain merit scholarships. Schools like Clemson University, Howard University and The Ohio State University offer automatic scholarships to admitted students based on ACT or SAT scores. However, Arizona State University, Boston University, Vanderbilt University, and others no longer require ACT and SAT scores for merit scholarships.
3. Taking the ACT/SAT keeps your options open
Your college list can change at any time—and colleges can and do change their test policies unexpectedly. It would be a shame to miss out on a school only because you were not prepared. Having a solid ACT and/or SAT score ready to submit, even if it’s not strictly necessary for all the schools you intend to apply to, is the best way to be prepared and keep your college options open.
4. A high test score can help balance a low GPA
Submitting a test score to a test-optional school provides more information about your academic performance and potential. If your GPA is not quite as high as you’d like, a strong test score can help offset this in the admissions process.
At 宝博体育 Education, we’re passionate about creating personalized academic plans for our students, from test prep to college counseling. Our teachers love helping students reach their goals, so schedule your free consultation today!
Summer Checklist for High School Students
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS, Resources, School, STUDY SKILLSSummer break is the time to rest and recharge between school years. It’s important to enjoy summer activities, sun, friends, and family, but it’s also a great opportunity to prepare for the school year ahead. We’ve created a summer checklist for high school students to set themselves up for a successful year.
Checklist for Rising Freshmen
The transition to high school can be jarring! Here’s a summer checklist to start high school with the skills students need to get ahead and stay ahead.
Checklist for Rising Sophomores
For rising sophomores, this is the time to look ahead at college possibilities. By establishing a preliminary college list now, students can set and achieve the goals that will help them earn admission at their dream colleges. Take a look at this summer checklist for high school sophomores.
For students who already have a dream school in mind:
For students who do not yet have specific goal schools in mind:
Prepare for sophomore classes by reviewing performance in last year’s classes.
Checklist for Rising Juniors
Junior year of high school is a pivotal year for college planning and the admission process. It can be challenging to focus on getting good grades in challenging classes and prepping for the ACT and/or SAT.
Intensive summer test prep will set juniors up for success.
This summer is also the ideal time for rising juniors to engage with college admissions teams and demonstrate their interest in their goal colleges.
Checklist for Rising Seniors
Senior year can seem overwhelming for many students. Here’s a summer checklist for high school seniors to stay focused on key milestones.
Remember: the Common App officially opens on August 1. This creates an ideal checkpoint to ensure students are on track to meet college application deadlines.
Rising seniors should focus on their college essays during summer. College essays take a long time to write and refine, so plan to spend months—not weeks—on these essays.
Whether it be AP test prep, SAT/ACT prep, or help with college essays, 宝博体育 Education helps students reach their goals. Schedule a consultation today!
AP Precalculus Announced for 2023/24 School Year
APIntroducing AP Precalculus
The College Board recently announced the creation of a new AP class: AP Precalculus. As with other AP courses, this will be accompanied by an AP Precalculus exam in May for college credit. This new course will premier in the 2023/24 school year.
The Purpose of AP Precalculus
The new AP Precalc course was designed with several goals in mind:
The Course Framework
AP Precalculus will prepare students for other college-level mathematics and science classes. The skills learned in this course are foundational not only for success in required college math courses, but also to careers in math, physics, biology, health science, data science and social science.
The new AP Precalc class will be made up of four units:
Through these units, students will gain a deep conceptual understanding of functions and their graphs, learning how to model and interpret models of functions. By the end of the course, the student will have established a strong foundation of higher math skills
AP Precalculus Credit and Placement
The new AP Precalculus course will fulfill a math requirement at many colleges and universities, including most public institutions. However, most highly selective institutions will not treat precalculus as a college-level course and college credit for AP Precalc will not be available. Instead, AP Precalculus will provide students attending these colleges with preparation for AP Calculus in high school or for college calculus. AP Precalc test scores may also be used for math and science course placement in college for newly enrolling students.
AP Precalc may not yet be available, but 宝博体育 offers tutoring and AP test prep for many other courses. Get started with an expert teacher today!
Announcing The New Digital SAT®
Resources, SAT, Test PrepOn January 25, 2022, the College Board announced a redesign of the SAT®. Planned changes include making the test fully digital, adaptable, and shorter. The goal is to provide a more convenient testing experience for students and families.
What We Know About the New Digital SAT
The College Board has already shared information about the new test format as well as the transition from the current test to the new digital SAT.
The Redesigned SAT Will Be Digital Only
Unlike the 2021 AP exams, which are the most recent time the College Board offered digital testing, students and schools will not be able to choose between a digital or paper option. All students will take the newly redesigned digital SAT. Only students who qualify for testing accommodations that specify a need for pen and paper testing will have that option.
The Digital SAT Will Be Adaptive
Both the verbal and math sections of the new digital SAT will have two sets of questions each. How a student performs on the first set of questions will determine what questions appear in the second set of each section. The level of questions appearing in the second set determines the overall maximum score a student could achieve. This new approach allows the College Board to trim roughly one hour from the total testing time while also increasing the time a student has to answer each question.
Timeline of the Updated SAT
The new digital SAT will be rolled out as follows:
Digital SAT Scoring and Administration
Key points about the scoring and administration of the new digital SAT include:
Changes to the Reading and Writing Sections
Changes that will be made to the SAT reading and writing sections include:
Changes to the Math Section
Changes that will be made to the SAT math section include:
What Is Still Unknown About the New Digital SAT
There are still some details that are unknown about the new test format as well as the transition from the current SAT to the new digital SAT.
Students with Learning Differences
Although the College Board has integrated accessibility features into the new testing application, we’ve yet to learn whether the new test format will positively or negatively affect students with learning differences. This may depend on the type of accommodation needed.
Test Date Scheduling
The current SAT is administered in the U.S. seven weekends each year, with additional opportunities for school day testing at many high schools. Since the new test is online and adaptive, it allows for more flexible scheduling of test dates, but it is still unclear whether the College Board will substantially alter the existing test date schedule.
Repeat Testing
The number of times a student can take the SAT is limited due to the limited number of test dates available. Assuming the scheduling of test dates will be more flexible, as discussed above, this could allow more opportunity for repeat testing unless the College Board puts explicit limits on repeat testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about the new digital SAT.
Can I take the digital SAT at home?
No. Although the redesigned SAT is digital, it will only be administered at school or at testing centers.
Should I take the new SAT even if most colleges remain test optional?
Yes. Under test optional admission policies, good SAT scores lend a huge advantage. Submitting strong test scores helps you to stand out and offers admissions officers an additional positive data point to consider. SAT scores can only help your applications!
Will colleges prefer the new SAT over the current SAT or the ACT?
Based on past precedent, all colleges that evaluate test scores as part of the admissions process will continue to consider these tests equally. Students should take the test that they will perform best on—colleges will not give preference to one test over another.
Will the ACT change?
As of now, the ACT has not announced any plans to change its test. The ACT is already offered digitally at international test centers and at some schools. If the ACT announces additional changes, 宝博体育 Education will keep you informed.
When will we learn more about the digital SAT?
宝博体育 Education will continue to keep families informed as new information becomes available. The College Board has said that they will release additional details this summer, and practice materials and tests will become available this fall.
How will 宝博体育 Education help students prepare for the new test?
With over two decades of test prep experience, 宝博体育 Education has helped thousands of students navigate SAT redesigns in 2005 and 2016. In fact, ahead of the 2016 SAT redesign, 宝博体育 Education was the first to market with a full-scale, highly customizable SAT prep solution. We look forward to helping students navigate this new SAT redesign with the same high-quality test prep solutions we have always offered.
Should students wait until digital practice solutions are available?
No—early prep is the best prep! Our most successful students spend months or years preparing for the PSAT and SAT, mastering the foundational reading, writing, critical thinking, and math skills required to excel on test day and beyond. The digital SAT will focus on these same core skills, so preparing early using current 宝博体育 materials will help students boost scores regardless of which version of the SAT they plan to take. Prepping early with paper materials allows students to establish the fundamentals ahead of time so that they can focus on digital testing strategies when the time comes.
Ready to get started on SAT prep? Contact us today for your personalized test prep plan.
Want to learn more? Visit our Digital SAT Resource Hub.