Are you a high school student or parent gearing up for the March 9th SAT? If so, get ready because this iteration of the test is introducing some exciting updates you'll want to know about.
Let's dive in together.
The March 2024 SAT is going digital. Students will answer questions and navigate the test using laptops and tablets in the new, tech-savvy rendition. This is a move by College Board to make the testing experience smoother and more in line with modern technology. It also has perks relating to result notification: Students will now be able to access their scores in less than two weeks.
Worried about internet connection or other digital disruptions? College Board has it covered. Bluebird, the official testing application, is programmed to continue running even if there’s a momentary connection drop. The application also auto saves all responses, so if a device runs out of battery, students will be able to plug in, reboot, and continue where they left off.
The March test is shaking things up with a new format. College Board has not only cut the number of SAT sections in half, but it has also shaved off an hour of its testing time. Students will now have a total of 2 hours and 14 minutes to answer 98 questions. These questions are grouped into two sections that are separated by a 10 minute break.
Section 1: Reading and Writing combines reading comprehension and grammar questions that are mixed randomly within the same section. This new format introduces shorter reading passages that ask one multiple choice question each. It also streamlines vocabulary-related questions by making them more context based rather than having students rely on memorization.
Section 2: Math is now tested in one section that permits students to use an acceptable handheld calculator or the in-app Desmos graphing calculator the entire time. These questions will be more related to real-life situations and problem-solving skills than in the past.
Say hello to adaptive testing! This means the test will adjust its difficulty based on how you're doing. If you're nailing it, expect more challenging questions. If you're struggling, the test will provide extra support to help you through.
In order to achieve this, each of the above sections are broken into two modules. Module 1 asks students the same questions, while Module 2 questions will differ in difficulty level depending on how each student performed in Module 1.
To ensure fairness, this adaptive testing uses a scoring scale that depends on the difficulty of the questions asked. For example, those who are routed to a lower difficulty Module 2 will be capped at around a 1200 test score, while those routed to a higher difficulty Module 2 will be capped at 1600.
For more information about the SAT and how best to prepare, visit the
official College Board SAT page.
Whether you're a student getting ready to tackle the SAT or a parent supporting your child through the process, CAPS is here for you. For over 20 years, we’ve been helping students and families navigate the complex college admissions process. In particular, we provide clients with a personalized schedule of standardized tests (such as the SAT), including suggested prep start times, registration deadlines, test dates, and more.
Contact us today to learn more.