SAT

The Digital SAT takes a little over two hours to complete, and is broken down as follows:

• Reading and Writing One
• Reading and Writing Two
• BREAK
• Maths 1
• Maths 2

• The SAT score is broken up into two halves: The Reading and Writing sections are scored between 200-800 points. The Math section is scored between 200-800 points.
• The total SAT score is therefore between 400-1600 points, with 1600 being a perfect score, and 1000 being approximately an average score.
• There is no penalty for guessing, so be sure to answer every question, including fill-in questions on the math.

• Adaptive tests have a long track record of success. The GRE and GMAT, both of which are used for graduate school admissions, are computer-based adaptive assessments. These tests are shorter than they would otherwise be since they adjust the difficulty of the questions based on student performance.
• Students have become more comfortable with computer-based assessments. With so many students learning remotely during the pandemic, digital learning has become far more common.
• The test should be easier to administer. Testing administrators will not have to secure test booklets. If schools want to offer the SAT during the school day, they will not have to take as much time away from the classroom and can offer the test to different groups of students on different days.
• Test security should be improved. Since students will have different test questions, it is far more difficult to cheat. Also, it will be far less likely that a test security breach will lead to score cancellations.

• Go to the College Board website and set up an account.
• The SAT is typically offered seven times throughout the year in the following months: March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. Check on the above website link for the most updated information on test dates. Many schools may also offer an in-school test date; check with your guidance counsellor for more details. Given the more flexible nature of the Digital SAT, schools will have more freedom to offer the test on days that work well for schools’ and students’ schedules.

There is not a “passing” score on the SAT—a good score for you depends on your specific goals for college admissions. Check out the College Board website for detailed information on typical scores for admitted students at schools throughout the United States.

• The College Board is using Item Response Theory to develop a new scoring manual. It will assess student proficiency with fewer questions. Your performance on individual questions will matter more under this approach. 
• Do your best on every question, as each one carries more weight in the Digital SAT. Check collegeboard.org for the latest scoring updates. 
• For this book, we will use previous SAT curves to estimate how your practice test performance will roughly translate to actual SAT scores.

Students with documented disabilities such as ADHD, dyslexia, or visual or motor impairments may be eligible for accommodations when taking the SAT. Extended time is the most common accommodation. The Digital SAT offers a paper-based, non-adaptive format, which is longer. If you have an IEP or 504 plan, talk to your guidance counsellor about applying for accommodations. Apply for accommodations at least 7 weeks in advance and check the College Board website for the latest information.

Students who are actively enrolled in the English as a Second Language program at their school may be able to take the SAT with 50% extra time, translated test directions, and the use of a bilingual dictionary. This service is currently available on school-day SATs, but not on the national test dates on weekends.

• The SAT and ACT are both standardized tests accepted by most colleges in the United States. They test English grammar, high school math up to pre-calculus, reading comprehension, and analysis of graphs and charts. No guessing penalty is applied and students should answer every question
• The SAT and ACT are two types of standardized tests used by colleges and universities in the United States. The SAT is digital and adaptive, while the ACT is paper-based. The SAT is shorter and gives more time per question, while the ACT is faster with more straightforward questions. The SAT focuses on algebra and word problems, while the ACT covers a broader range of math topics including matrices and hyperbolas. The ACT has a Science section, while the SAT has scientific skills throughout the test.

Immediately before the SAT, prioritize sleep and relaxation. You will do far better on the SAT if you are well-rested and have a positive mindset. In the week before the test, try to get 8-9 hours of sleep a night. Since the SAT is very much a critical thinking test, the better rested you are, the better you will be able to read, problem solve, and edit. Some practice shortly before the test is perfectly fine to do, but make sure you are not staying up late and cramming.

• Admissions ticket
• Computer or tablet with the testing program already installed. You will be allowed to use your computer or tablet for the Digital SAT. Be sure to download the testing program well in advance so that you can become familiar with the testing interface and will not have to download the program on test day. If you do not have a computer or table you wish to use, the testing site will provide one for you.
• Calculator with fresh batteries—most any graphing or scientific calculator is fine. There is a calculator with graphing features given in the program, but most students will find it easier to use their calculator. Check the College Board website to see if your calculator is approved.
• A snack and a drink to have during your breaks (don’t have food/drink out on your desk)
• Do not have your cell phone with you during the duration of the test—you are welcome to use it after the test has concluded, but the proctors do not want to see phones used during the test to prevent possible cheating.
• Pen or pencil. You can use your preferred pen or pencil to write on the provided scrap paper.
• Watches, paper, and highlighters are not needed. The test program gives you an annotation feature and a countdown timer that you can view or hide, and the testing site will provide you with scrap paper.