Big Updates for the SAT - What You Need to Know

2022 is already proving to be a year of changes, and recent announcements about the SAT are no exception. The controversial standardized-testing exam, which many colleges and universities are removing (or considering removing) as an admission requirement, announced significant changes beginning in Fall 2024. Here’s what you need to know…
 
What is Changing – and Why?
 
Many areas of the SAT are receiving updates or enhancements, in an effort to streamline the exam, offer greater access, and reduce opportunities for cheating. Current updates that have been announced include:
 
-Reduced time of the test from 3 hours to 2 hours
-Shortened content

• Includes reduction in the long reading passages, as well as a shift to only one question per passage

-All-digital format

• Allows for a unique test for each student
• Increases security
• Provides more flexibility in testing dates
• Permits students to use their own devices
  • Laptop
  • Tablet
  • School-issued device
  • Testing center device (if none of the above options are available)

-Adaptive test versus all test-takers having the same questions
-Built-in timer
-Embedded digital calculator
-Scores released within days of taking the test versus months
 
What Does This Mean for Your Student?
 
We understand that so many changes can be daunting for students and their families. Our team is actively following these updates and will continue to share information as we receive it. For now, a few of our experts provide their thoughts and recommendations.
 
Matt Wolszon, a TVT math tutor, says, “With the new SAT allowing a calculator throughout, calculator proficiency and efficiency will be more applicable now than in the previous version of the test. Additionally, with the updated SAT in an adaptive format, scores will most likely better reflect the amount of information a student has mastered instead of any advantages previously reflected for test-takers who excel at strategically guessing.”
 
It appears that the changes to the SAT directly address the challenges students have been facing during the pandemic – difficulty maintaining focus and reading for extended periods of time. As tutor Ann Wilson shares, “Many students state they have trouble focusing for three hours and do not like reading on paper. Since students spend so much time on screens, a digital test will feel more familiar to them and play to how their brains are wired. This may aid in taking the SAT, but will it prepare students for college?”
 
TVT’s Questions
 
The updates to the SAT continue to be rolled out and announced, so there is still much to learn about the enhancements. Some of the questions on our team’s minds include,
 
-Will colleges view the updated SAT as an equal to the current ACT, or will the SAT be considered easier and not as relevant?
-How will colleges compare the SAT to the ACT, in order to convert one score to the other?
-Is this updated SAT a new test altogether?
 
We will continue to provide updates as we receive them. In the meantime, if your student is ready to begin standardized-test prep, see our services here.