As the new year commences and resolutions arise, students across the nation can expect many changes. With the rise of digital-based platforms, various adjustments continue to be made in education and testing. The College Board announced that The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), traditionally taken on paper since 1926, will go digital at the start of 2024. Not only will the platform change, but the question types and grading scale will be altered as well.
The SAT is a standardized test designed to assess a student’s readiness for higher education by evaluating their mathematical, evidence-based reading, and writing skills. This test has been in effect for several decades and is used by colleges and universities as an entrance exam. As technology is evolving, the SAT will shift to a digital platform with substantial changes. The new test will only have two sections – reading and math – with two modules within each. The time taken to complete the exam is also shorter than the conventional paper test. Among many other seniors, Joseph Perez shares his disappointment in missing his opportunity to take the new digital SAT. “Most seniors have already taken the SAT and submitted their college applications,” said Perez. “This new change makes me envious because I would have preferred to take my test on a screen rather than paper.”
In addition to the revised structure of the test, its timing, question types, and grading scale also differ. With short modules, the SAT’s overall length will be reduced, and results will be released much faster. The grading scale has also been changed from the original test, as a student’s performance on the first module of each section influences the next module’s difficulty, altering the curve and scoring process. Furthermore, its question style has been tailored to resemble the MCAT and the LSAT tests. Juniors such as Iridian Ramos are grateful for these new changes to the SAT. “The SAT going digital is one of the best things that has ever happened,” said Ramos. “It’s becoming more convenient for us to take and being able to assess your performance while taking the test is definitely an advantage.”
While these new modifications can be advantageous, there are other juniors who are uncertain about adjusting to the digital SAT. By taking their first digital PSAT in October, many students were able to get a feel of what the 2024 SAT will look like. After this trial run, some juniors found it inconvenient that this change would occur in the middle of their school year. Since both the paper and digital SAT require different study methods, students are torn between which test to choose to take. Junior Rhys Wills is particularly struggling to find practice material for the new test since it is the first year the SAT has gone digital. “I’ve been searching on YouTube, asking my tutors, and even emailing CollegeBoard,” said Wills. “It’s hard to prepare for the Digital SAT when my class is the guinea pig for it.”
Through the rise of technology and digitization, there have been many changes in people’s everyday lives, with the SAT going digital being one of them. As juniors and underclassmen adjust to these alterations, the digital SAT is a milestone in the ongoing evolution of education and standardized testing. With the range of opinions and experiences, it is important to find helpful strategies and support systems that will allow students to adapt to the future of standardized testing.
