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COLLEGE BOARD – SAT

What is it?

The SAT Digital Exam is a standardized test used for college admissions, primarily in the United States. It assesses reading, writing, and math skills and is now taken entirely on a computer or tablet. The digital version is shorter (around 2 hours), adaptive, and provides faster score reports. It’s designed to measure a student’s readiness for university-level work and is accepted by most U.S. colleges and many international institutions.

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Format and Structure:

  • The SAT is now entirely digital and taken on a computer or tablet at designated testing centers.

  •  It is shorter, lasting about 2 hours and 14 minutes instead of the previous 3 hours.

  •  The test is divided into two main sections:

  •  Reading and Writing (merged into one section)

  •  Math

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Adaptive Testing:

  • The test is now adaptive within sections, meaning questions adjust in difficulty based on your performance in earlier parts of that section.
    • This allows for a more tailored testing experience and helps reduce the total number of questions.

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Question Format and Content:

  • Reading passages are shorter and more focused, each followed by a single question.

  • Math questions remain largely similar to the paper SAT, but with increased use of real-world scenarios and some adjustments for adaptive testing.

  • A calculator is allowed for the entire Math section (either a built-in digital calculator or your own approved one).

4

Scoring:

  • The SAT still uses the 1600-point scale, with separate scores for the Reading/Writing and Math sections (each scored from 200 to 800).

  • Adaptive testing does not change how the final score is calculated.

5

Testing Environment:

  • The SAT is administered via the Bluebook™ app, developed by the College Board.

  • Students can bring their own devices (laptop or tablet) or use a device provided at the test center.

  • An internet connection is not required during the test (it is needed only for setup and submission).

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Security Enhancements:

  • Each student gets a unique test form, reducing the chance of cheating.

  • Real-time connectivity allows the College Board to detect irregularities.

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Why the Change?

  • To make the test more secure, relevant, and accessible.

  • To reduce stress with shorter testing time and fewer lengthy passages.

  • To modernize the SAT in line with evolving educational and technological standards.

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