Is Computer-Based Testing Still the Future for the ACT® and SAT®?

With the online ACT® becoming more widely available nationwide and a computer-based SAT® becoming within the next two years, the manner in which students will not only take, but prep for their exams will undoubtedly change. So, with talk of ACT® and SAT® computer-based tests at the forefront, what exactly does that mean for the future - for both students and test prep? 

First, let’s clarify some things. Computer-based testing (CBT) is when students take their exams on a computer rather than the traditional paper and pencil version. CBT are official tests that must be registered for and administered at a testing center with the same requirements as the paper versions.  The test content is exactly the same for both CBT and paper versions. Likewise, the test format remains relatively the same, too - the CBT is just a digitized version of the paper test. 

As you know, CBT for the ACT® is not a new development; the ACT® has been piloting CBT over the past several years on a limited and controlled scale - mostly internationally and through private contracts. In fact, the ACT® has had CBT in the works since as far back as 2013, with CBT being used in few schools as early as 2015.

Internationally, the ACT® has been utilizing CBT since 2018. In 2019, the ACT® had announced its plan to expand CBT nationwide; however, the COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench in the works. As of 2021, however, some schools and districts are now offering the online ACT® as either a choice or the only option.

Not to be outdone, the College Board - unsurprisingly - threw its hat in the ring in early 2021 with the news that it was developing a CBT for the SAT®. In their words, the College Board announced, “we are investing in a more flexible SAT - a streamlined, digitally delivered test that meets the evolving needs of students and higher education.” That said, the College Board has yet to announce a firm date of when test takers can expect to opt for the digital version.

At this juncture, it’s a safe bet that today’s students will continue to have a choice for either an online or paper and pencil ACT®. Juniors and Seniors taking the SAT® will likely remain limited to paper and pencil options; but it’s not a bad bet that freshmen and sophomores might need to start planning for the likelihood of SAT® computer-based testing. There is no reason to believe (as of yet) that paper and pencil tests may be going away.

Computer-Based Testing: What to Expect

A shift to CBT certainly changes some elements of the testing process. Here are a few ideas of what test takers and administers can expect: 

Registration

The registration for an online ACT® is no different than registering for a paper and pencil version. The only consideration is that some testing centers and school districts only offer one style of test administration or another. Test takers need to register for a testing location that is offering the style of test they prefer.

Currently, as the SAT® is not available digitally there aren’t any guidelines for what registration for a computerized SAT® will look like. It is expected that registration for CBT will be no different than registering for a paper and pencil version, with all of the same requirements.

Exam Administration 

Typically, when students take online tests, they are required to use authorized computers supplied by the testing center or school where the exam is being administered. For both the ACT® and SAT®, respectively, testing companies have outlined their requirements and protocols for proper CBT exam administration in hopes of preventing any glitches (e.g., slow loading times, lost or unsaved answers, and/or computer crashes).

ACT®: Pearson Assessment® - Pearson Assessment® is the ACT’s® test administrator, which utilizes “proctor caching.” Here’s how proctor caching works for each testing location:

1. The ACT® is downloaded onto the school’s local server.

2. The local server downloads the ACT® test.

3. The ACT® test is delivered to each individual student’s computer.

4. When the ACT® test has been completed, all answers are collected by the local server.

5. All ACT® tests and answers are returned to Pearson’s home server.

6. ACT® tests and answers are permanently removed from the school’s local server.

SAT®: AIR Assessment - AIR Assessment® is the College Board’s SAT® administrator - an exclusive browser that offers testing centers/schools the necessary tools required to ensure a proper exam administration. Some of AIR Assessment’s® most useful features include:

1. Provide the capacity of test takers that can be supported at once

2. Diagnose the reliability of the network connection

3. Save students’ answers on multiple servers

CBT Benefits 

A large-scale shift to computer-based testing would come with some significant benefits, such as:

• Lower costs for test takers and administrators

• More accurate scoring

• Immediate results

• Improved security

CBT Drawbacks

While the benefits to CBT are substantial, it’s important to note several obstacles that come with converting to computer-based testing, such as:

• Accessibility - CBT requires a computer for every test taker. Ensuring that each and every student has one to take the same test on the same day may be a challenge for some schools.

• Technical Difficulties - Even a moment’s glitch can cause major implications for a test taker during a timed exam. While ACT’s® Pearson Assessment® and College Board’s AIR Assessment® promise to combat such technical hitches, the threat of issues from a local server, power loss, and the like may always remain a threat to CBT administration.

• Decrease in Test Scores - The potential for decline in test scores when students switch from paper and pencil to computer-based testing is real. According to a 2019 study supported by the National Center for the Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research (CALDER), it was found that the scores of students who took CBT fell behind those of their peers who took the same exam using paper and pencil. In fact, the results of this study showed such a significant difference in scores that it appeared as if the computer-based tested students had sustained learning loss. 

Talks of ensuring that CBT versions of the exams are equal to the paper and pencil versions are still ongoing; both the ACT® and College Board are still working on this process.

Paper and Pencil Tests vs. CBT

As to be expected, ACT® and College Board are striving to achieve parity between paper and pencil tests and their CBT counterparts. For the sake of fairness and equity for all test takers, this has to be the case.

Many of the similarities and differences between the paper and pencil tests and CBT versions have already been mentioned (e.g., registration and location), but here is a more specific breakdown of the similarities and differences between the actual tests’ formats and content:

Similarities

• Content

• Level of difficulty

• Number of questions

• Section order

• Time per section

• Use of physical calculator

• Ability to review answers on current section

• Ability to use scratch paper and pencil

• Scoring scale

Differences

• Score reports: 

  • CBT scores are received within 2 business days.

  • Paper test scores can take 3 or more weeks to be received.

• Test date availability

  • It is expected that test centers will be able to provide more test dates and times for CBT.

As you can see, there are many more similarities between the two testing formats, with the key difference being the time in which test takers (and prospective colleges) receive student test scores.

Preparing Your Clients for Computer-Based Testing

Devising a plan that will best support your students for computer-based testing will soon be an integral part of your test-prep business. While we know that the important features - content, level of difficulty, number of questions per section, and time per section - will remain the same, readying your clients for a digital version of their chosen exam will require plenty of exposure to computer-based practice. 

Here are a few tips that will come in handy when creating a computer-based test-prep plan:

• Teach and practice key computerized skills:

  • Reading digitized content (particularly for extended periods of time)

  • Typing using a computer keyboard (sans texting shortcuts and emojis)

  • Highlighting and marking digital texts (mirroring the available tools provided by testing software when possible)

  • Maintaining attention and focus on a larger computer screen (rather than a phone or tablet)

• Use as many computer-based testing materials as possible. If you can ensure your curriculum and practice materials include digital content, this will help students become more familiar and comfortable with their exam content in an online format.

• Utilize essential online tools:

  • Electronic flashcards (such as Quizlet or Cram)

  • Use an on-screen timer to keep track of time and pace (this is typically a PC feature that can be added to the screen as a widget or one can easily be found online/downloaded such as this one here.)

• Help students practice transitioning between digital and analog tools in testing situations. Even in CBT environments, students still have access to scratch paper and their approved personal calculators. Students need deliberate practice opportunities to get used to using their most familiar analog tools on digital assessments.

Basically, you want to create a test-prep plan comparable to what a student taking a paper and pencil exam would have, just with the addition of practice designed to strengthen their CBT-skills. 

We at Clear Choice Prep recognize the challenges that come when preparing students for paper- and computer-based tests. That is why we make it a point to offer top-of-the-line, white-label testing materials in both physical and digital formats. This allows you to offer students a custom-branded test-prep experience that can prepare them for the testing environments of both the present and the future.