New Digital SAT® Insights: Comparing Scores and Strategies
It’s been over a month since the very first digital SAT® was launched on March 9th nationwide.
As real score reports come in from actual test-takers, students and educators are all getting a better idea of what this new digital testing experience is really like.
Additionally, we’re getting our first opportunity to compare old vs. new SAT® formats and practice vs. actual test scores, giving us a clearer picture of what strategies worked well for students and which ones need more fine-tuning.
States are also doing comparisons of their own. School districts are taking a look at how their students performed on March 9th and measuring those test results against other districts’ and states’ results.
Take a look at New Jersey’s digital SAT® results, for example:
Results: New Jersey Case Study
In New Jersey, the average score on the first digital SAT® (March 9th) was 1171.
This is slightly higher than the U.S. average of 1166 and the global average, which includes international test-takers, of 1176.
These figures, provided by the College Board, offer a comparative insight into New Jersey's performance in the digital SAT® relative to both the nation and the world.
There is still a lot more to learn as scores continue to roll in and comparisons between the old and the new SAT® continue to be made, but it will certainly be interesting to see how the scores between formats differ.
New Digital SAT® vs. Old Paper-and-Pencil SAT®
The new digital SAT® has made many significant changes to more than just the format. The transition to digital reflects a fundamental shift in the test-taking experience. These changes underscore the College Board's commitment to creating a more dynamic and accessible testing environment for students preparing for higher education.
Let’s take a moment to briefly note the key differences between the new and the old SAT® formats.
Key Differences: New Digital SAT® versus Old Paper SAT®
1. Mode of Delivery: Most notably, how the educational content is delivered to test takers is a key difference between the old and new formatting.
New Digital SAT®: Test-takers interact with questions through the fully digital Bluebook app.
Old Paper SAT®: Test-takers use traditional paper booklets and pencils.
2. Test Length: The duration of each format is also drastically different.
New Digital SAT®: Shortened to 2 hours and 14 minutes.
Old Paper SAT®: Longer, with a duration of approximately 3 hours.
3. Adaptive Testing: The second most pivotal change is adaptive testing based on student performance rather than a fixed set of questions.
New Digital SAT®: Adjusts difficulty based on individual performance within each section.
Old Paper SAT®: No adaptive testing; all test-takers receive the same set of questions.
4. Calculator Use: Access to and use of calculators is a major change to the math section.
New Digital SAT®: Allows calculators throughout the entire math section (similar to the ACT), and provides an in-app Desmos calculator.
Old Paper SAT®: Math section split between calculator and non-calculator portions.
5. Question Types: There’s also a significant difference between question types and format.
New Digital SAT®: For example, in the Reading & Writing section, each question that requires a passage has its own, generally short passages.
Old Paper SAT®: In contrast, both the old Reading and Writing sections had lengthier passages with multiple questions tied to them.
6. Section Structure: With duration and question types now tightened up, the sections are also now combined and condensed.
New Digital SAT®:
Reading & Writing Test: Divided into two equal stages with short passages for each question.
Math: Divided into two stages, with calculators allowed throughout.
Old Paper SAT®:
Reading & Writing Test: Longer passages with multiple questions per passage.
Math: Split between calculator and non-calculator portions.
7. Equating/Unscored Questions: This is an important change for test takers who struggle with time management and/or tend to skip over challenging questions without returning.
New Digital SAT®: Limits unscored questions to no more than 4 per section.
Old Paper SAT®: Regularly includes unscored sections for test calibration.
8. Scoring: An important change to pay attention to, scoring looks a tad different, so test takers need to understand how their exams are being scored.
New Digital SAT®: Retains the 400-1600 total score scale but eliminates cross-test scores and subscores.
Old Paper SAT®: Also scored on a 400-1600 scale but with cross-test scores and subscores.
9. Score Reports: The speed of score report delivery is a very nice change that cuts down on the dreaded waiting period after test day.
New Digital SAT®: Promises faster delivery of scores, potentially within days after the exam, but no access to questions and answers.
Old Paper SAT®: Typically slower score delivery but access to questions and answers.
10. Security: Only time will tell for this change, but the College Board vows the digital SAT® to be highly secure and significantly more challenging for cheaters to thrive.
New Digital SAT®: Promises increased security measures to prevent cheating, with the potential for entire group scores to be canceled if one test is compromised.
Old Paper SAT®: Security measures likely similar to previous versions.
These key differences illustrate the major shift from traditional paper-based testing to a more adaptive and streamlined digital format for the SAT® exam.
Digital SAT® Practice Test Results vs. Actual Test Performance
In March, the College Board released an update on the Digital SAT® that included helpful data on participation and performance of test takers as well as student feedback.
According to the College Board, over 200,000 students worldwide took the digital SAT® on March 9 across over 3,000 test centers.
Among SAT® Weekend digital test takers, 99.8% successfully completed their exam and submitted results.
Additionally, over 400,000 students took the digital SAT®, PSAT® 10, and PSAT® 8/9 during the school day.
The feedback from students reported in the College Board’s update was, of course, applauding the new digital SAT® and did not include any negative feedback:
“I thought that it was an easier process than the paper SAT …”
“I felt that it was less stressful. This format allowed me enough time to get through each section and feel confident in my answers.”
“It was excellent because it was fast-paced and I loved how the test was adaptive, meaning if you got questions right it’ll be more difficult and vice versa … I love the digital version so much more!”
I’m not doubting these comments are real. If students worked hard, studied the materials correctly, and practiced using comparable fully digital, adaptive SAT®-aligned practice tests then I’m sure they had a great chance to smash the new digital SAT®!
However, as results emerge, we have found that the most common feedback from test takers is that they achieved higher scores on CollegeBoard’s official BlueBook practice tests than on the actual exam.
Student Experiences
Let’s take a look at some of the test-taker reports from this Reddit thread:
“Practice: 1560 (760 English/ 800 Math), Actual score: 1430 (740 English/ 690 Math)...”
“I’ve taken the practice SATs 6 times and never managed worse than a 690 on the Math section. My average Math score has been 720. When I took the actual written SAT I got a 750. This March 9th I scored a 620 on Math. I got absolutely worked and I am so mad at myself. I killed myself on time. I should have practiced with DESMOS more.”
“Practice: 1410-1510, Actual: 1290 …”
“After consistently getting around 1550 on the practice tests, my real score is 1440. 760 ERW, 680 Math. Crying myself to sleep tonight, studying tomorrow.”
You get the idea. Many Reddit users reported higher scores on practice tests compared to their actual digital SAT® results.
Even a few tutors weighed in on the same Reddit thread and noted that the practice material they used from some of the big-name test-prep companies did not match the difficulty level of the College Board’s tests in both the Math and Reading and Writing sections.
Furthermore, the adaptive nature of the math section led some digital SAT® takers to run out of time. In particular, digital SAT® takers who performed well in the universal first module faced harder and more time-consuming math questions in the second portion.
Accuracy of Digital SAT® Practice Scores
To aid test takers, the College Board released four official full-length digital SAT® practice tests on their Bluebook™ platform. These practice tests offered test preppers valuable opportunities to:
1. Prepare for the New Format: They allow students to familiarize themselves with the structure and content of the digital SAT®.
2. Gain Valuable Insight: Test takers can gain insights into the test’s timing, helping them manage their pace effectively.
3. Experience the New Tools: The Bluebook™ practice tests also introduce students to the new digital tools, such as the Desmos calculator.
However, as noted, the College Board only released four of those practice tests.
Making matters worse, these practice tests were created to be perfect representations of the actual digital SAT®. Based on feedback from the March test, they weren’t.
To supplement those practice tests, we have found many students and tutors have turned to unofficial and unaligned test-prep materials. As a result, those resources have not provided accurate results or sufficient prep for the actual digital SAT®.
It appears that test takers who fell short of their target scores or received lower scores than their practice test scores may not have been sufficiently familiar with the new digital format or the accompanying tools.
On the other hand, students who either reached their target scores or increased their scores most likely practiced with an array of adaptive online content and adjusted to the new digital test format, including using the in-app Desmos calculator for math.
The digital SAT® test results clearly come down to how students prepare for the test.
Since the March test, the College Board has released two more practice tests on their Bluebook™ platform. Based on our analysis, these tests better reflect the difficulty of the actual digital SAT®.
That said, this is little consolation for those who used the older practice tests or unaligned materials to prepare for the March 9th test.
What Does a Solid Digital SAT® Test-Prep Plan Need?
Preparing for the digital SAT® requires a different approach now. Yes, students still need a well-structured plan to maximize their study time and achieve their best possible score, but the particular techniques and strategies they need to know and use have changed.
The fully digital SAT® demands test takers to be competent in the online, adaptive format. That means they need to be prepared for every shift in complexity and able to rely solely on the digital tools provided.
Here are some essential tips and steps to create a strong digital SAT® test-prep plan:
1. Understand the Digital Format:
We cannot emphasize the importance of this step enough. Students who familiarize themselves with the digital SAT® format are more likely to hit or surpass their target score.
Practice should be fully digital using online SAT®-aligned tools and resources to help students become acclimated and competent with the new digital format.
Students should be comfortable with the College Board’s custom testing Bluebook™ platform. This is the platform they will use to take the digital SAT®.
Additionally, Bluebook™ provides access to the College Board's four digital practice tests and study materials.
2. Set a Goal Score:
Setting a goal is important. The goal should be attainable with hard work and dedication, but not out of the student’s reach.
What’s a good score? See our post on How to Determine What Makes a “Good” Score.
3. Create a Study Schedule:
Study schedules should be tailored to the student based on their available time and preferences.
Allocate time for each study activity, including practice tests, review, and targeted practice. Consistency is key.
4. Quality Practice Resources:
This is a big one! The practice resources you use and assign to your students can make or break their test prep. Any off-the-shelf, one-size-fits-all test prep will not cut it for the new digital SAT®. You need to use high-quality resources.
Use official full-length digital SAT® practice tests and study guides on the Bluebook™ platform.
Supplement and expand on the College Board’s resources with high-quality, digital SAT®-aligned materials for additional practice and personalized study plans.
Clear Choice Prep offers the first and best custom-branded test-prep courses that are fully digital and unmatched in quality.
With our white-label, all-digital, adaptive Digital SAT® practice tests, you and your students gain access to precise, algorithmic scoring. This invaluable data empowers tutors and clients alike, enabling tailored instruction and score optimization.
This means you can give your students the first, and most authentic practice for the new digital SAT®.
5. Take Full-Length Practice Tests:
Start your clients off early by having them take a full-length digital practice test. This exam should act as a baseline. Analyze their results and their overall performance to identify areas for improvement.
Continue to regularly assess their progress through diagnostic practice tests to track their academic growth and test performance so you can adjust and improve their prep plan as needed.
6. Target Weaknesses:
After each diagnostic test, focus on improving specific weaknesses.
Weaknesses are not always academic; they may be time management issues or a lack of skill in using digital tools like the Desmos calculator.
Dedicate time to targeted practice in these areas.
7. Learn Digital Tools:
This is another big one! Students must get comfortable with the digital tools they’ll encounter and rely on during the actual test.
They need to practice using the Desmos calculator and other features available in the Bluebook™ app to become proficient with those digital tools.
Include Challenges:
Solid test prep incorporates a healthy dose of challenging material to push students to build stronger skills.
Consider Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development, which emphasizes the importance of providing tasks that challenge students just beyond their current capabilities.
In test prep, this means striking a balance between achievable and challenging content.
Keep in mind that while significant challenges are essential for growth, overwhelming students with material far beyond their current level can hinder progress.
A solid plan finds the sweet spot where learners are pushed to improve without feeling defeated.
These test-prep strategies and a comprehensive approach will ensure your students are ready for the new digital SAT®!
Key Takeaways
Preparing for the digital SAT® requires a tailored approach.
As the first digital SAT® scores roll in, educators and students gain valuable insights into the new testing experience.
Comparisons between old and new SAT® formats, as well as practice and actual test scores, offer a clearer understanding of effective strategies and areas needing improvement.
States and districts are conducting their own analyses, like the New Jersey case study, shedding light on regional performance.
With continued score revelations and ongoing comparisons, we eagerly anticipate learning more about the key differences between the two test formats and how to best prepare our clients to succeed on the digital SAT®.
Step into the Digital Age of SAT® Prep!
The SAT® has made the switch to all-digital testing—and so has Clear Choice Prep!
We’re ready to equip your tutoring business with top-tier, fully digital test-prep courses. Our white-label, all-digital, adaptive Digital SAT® practice tests come with accurate, algorithmic scoring, granting your tutors and students access to the vital data required for custom instruction and score enhancement.
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