What to Expect on the New, Adaptive Digital SAT® Math Test
College Board’s digital SAT® is coming soon. While the new Reading & Writing section features a lot of changes compared to the current, paper-based SAT®, the math section remains largely the same.
Apart from the new format (more on that in a second), there are two noteworthy changes that apply to the entire the Digital SAT® Math Test:
Calculators are allowed on the entire test. While the current, paper-and-pencil SAT® has both with-calculator and without-calculator sections, the new digital SAT® allows students to use a calculator throughout the whole test. Students can bring their own approved calculator or opt to use the on-screen calculator provided within the digital SAT® software client.
Math questions are shorter and more straightforward. College Board has responded to student and educator feedback and reduced the word count in their math problems.
Similarly, while previous versions of the SAT® occasionally contained tricky problems that combined skills across multiple domains, each question on the new digital SAT® Math section tends to focus on a singular domain. The result of these two changes is a reduction in overall problem complexity while still offering a fair assessment of the tested math skills.
Based on the information provided by College Board, digital SAT® practice exams, and the samples provided by College Board, we’ve compiled information on the four domains and respective skills that we believe to be very helpful to test takers.
Taken a step further, we have also created our own white-label, fully-digital, adaptive practice tests—complete with accurate, algorithmic scoring. This means that you can give your students the first, and most authentic, practice for the new digital SAT®. Schedule a free demo and try it for yourself!
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Adaptive Digital SAT® Math Test Problem Count and Section Timings
The new computer-based, adaptive math test starts with a 35 minute module that includes 22 items. This first module includes a variety of problem types and difficulties.
The majority of the problems are multiple choice; however, there are several questions that require test takers to input their own answer (reminiscent of the grid-in questions on the paper-based test).
The second, final module is also 35 minutes long with 22 problems. This is the point where the test becomes adaptive. There are two different versions of the second portion of the math test. One version is easier. One version is more difficult.
If a student performed well on the first stage of the math test, they will see the more challenging version of stage 2. If the student struggled with the first stage, they will get the easier version of the second stage.
Across the entire test, regardless of which version of module 2 is presented, students will face a total of 44 questions. Approximately 25% of these problems will be constructed-response questions and 75% will be multiple-choice questions with 4 possible answer choices.
Breaking Down the Math Content on the New Digital SAT®
Here’s a look at what you and your students can anticipate on the digital SAT® Math test based on domains and skills covered:
The math test features questions from 4 domains:
Algebra
Advanced Math
Problem Solving and Data Analysis
Geometry and Trigonometry
Each of these domains is broken down further into a number of tested math skills. It is worth noting that not every skill will appear on every test module. Some will appear more frequently across the entire test, while others may not appear at all.
1. Domain: Algebra
Approximately 35% of questions
Between 13-15 questions
What College Board says about the domain: Students will analyze, fluently solve, and create linear equations and inequalities as well as analyze and fluently solve equations and systems of equations using multiple techniques.
Skills / Knowledge Testing Points:
Linear equations in one variable
Linear equations in two variables
Linear functions
Systems of two linear equations in two variables
Linear inequalities in one or two variables
2. Domain: Advanced Math
Approximately 35% of questions
Between 13-15 questions
What College Board says about the domain: Students will demonstrate the ability to progress to more advanced math courses, including demonstrating an understanding of absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical, and other nonlinear equations.
Skills / Knowledge Testing Points:
Equivalent expressions
Nonlinear equations in one variable and systems of equations in two variables
Nonlinear functions
3. Domain: Problem-Solving and Data Analysis
Approximately 15% of questions
Between 5-7 questions
What College Board says about the domain: Students will apply quantitative reasoning about ratios, rates, and proportional relationships; understand and apply unit rate; and analyze and interpret one- and two-variable data.
Skills / Knowledge Testing Points:
Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units
Percentages
One-variable data: distributions and measures of center and spread
Two-variable data: models and scatter plots
Probability and conditional probability
Inference from sample statistics and margin of error
Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments
4. Domain: Geometry and Trigonometry
Approximately 15% of questions
Between 5-7 questions
What College Board says about the domain: Students will solve problems that focus on area and volume; angles, triangles, and trigonometry; and circles.
Skills / Knowledge Testing Points:
Area and volume
Lines, angles, and triangles
Right triangles and trigonometry
Circles
SAT® Math Test-Prep Strategies
While the test format is changing, there are several of the time-tested strategies that will still work for answering a variety of reading and writing question types—all of which are tested on the paper and digital versions of the SAT® as well as the ACT®:
We Are Ready for the Digital SAT®! Are you?
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