Return of the SAT: Navigating the Challenges of the New Digital Format

It’s all coming back…

In the words of the famous Celine Dion, “it’s all coming back,” or rather, they are coming back. With post-pandemic test-optional policy reversals, the SAT and ACT are back. As the 2024 admissions cycle closes in the next several weeks, the title of this Washington Post article says it all (The SAT is coming back at some colleges. It’s stressing everyone out). It seemed for many colleges and universities, rhyme and reason were not addressed for those applying for admission and each of those students felt it. I do not have enough fingers and toes to count how many times I was surprised during this admission season. Is this why the tests are coming back?  Perhaps. What I can say is CollegeBoard’s massive overhaul to the new Digital SAT supports this theory and has thrown yet another factor into the mix – now impacting the classes of 2025 and 2026.

While the ACT format remains the same, the new Digital SAT has gone through a drastic change. The first national test date was on March 9, 2024, and scores were released on March 22^nd.

Why are we talking so much about it? Because it is very different. The shorter, online format is like a brand-new pair of expensive shoes for students, or a shiny new car for parents. I digress, yes, the new digital SAT is shorter, it is online, but it is also multi-stage adaptive. This is where those shoes give blisters, and the new car is a lemon. Let’s dive deeper into the new format.

What stays the same?

• 1600 scale.
• Scores will be linked to admissions and scholarship opportunities.
• Tests will be administered at a school or designated test center.
• Test accommodations are still available.

What is changing?

• Digital & Adaptive – questions presented to students will adapt based on previous performance.
• Shorter in length – from 3 hours to approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes.
• 2 sections: Reading & Writing and Math
• More Reading passages, but shorter. Students will answer one question per passage.
• Math problems will be less wordy – WOOHOO!!!
• All Calculator active; DESMOS calculator provided on screen.
• Many other subtle changes that this word count cannot handle.

Again, it all sounds great until you take a few things into account. Another list, shall we?

1. The adaptive nature of this test creates difficulties for many students. Let’s break it down. Both the Reading and Writing and Math sections begin with Module 1. Module 1 consists of questions considered “Easy” and Medium,” with a couple “Hard” questions thrown in. Based on a student’s performance on Module 1, he or she will go to Module 2A (Easier) or Module 2B (Harder). For all subjects, Module 2A will consist of those easy and medium questions and the questions for Module 2B will be of the medium and hard variety. I believe my opinion is obvious, but I do not like change. Maybe I will learn to love this new test; however, think about the following questions: What if a student is slow to warm up on test? What about so many of our adolescents who have test anxiety or who are already stressed regarding their performance? Are they thinking (distracted) by the level of difficulty in the second modules, trying to figure out if they reached the easier or harder module, which could impact their performance?
2. Preparation: While CollegeBoard conducted Beta-testing in some states and overseas, information provided to prepare for this test was lacking. TRUST ME, I know. I remember when the news was released, approximately two weeks after I accepted a seat on Huntington’s National Test Prep Council. Huntington has been through redesigned tests before, but this was BIG. Based on what CollegeBoard released, amazing content was created, brainstorming for the best strategies happened and were taught, and practice tests were created. This is all great. I am proud to have been a part of that team and to say that our teachers assisted in program development. Here is the catch…scores!
3. In the good old days, the percentage of questions correct on the SAT was the strongest measure of the standard score. Now, well, we do not know. We will know once the test has been administered multiple times to create standardization, but for these first administrations, percentage correct was our only measure and it was inappropriate to equate that to a standard score. So, we did not. At Huntington, we focus on content, strategy, and practice. We have a great program, but the frustration for students, parents, and us was we could not and would not give scores within the 400-1600 range because no one had this data, including CollegeBoard. In essence, everyone, not just Huntington students, parents, and staff, were flying blind.

Hopefully, you now see how this fancy new test has drawbacks. Now that the first administration has occurred and scores have been released, we have new information that all will adapt to, whether for preparation or in deciding whether to pursue the Digital SAT or shift to the ACT. Interestingly, ACT has developed a digital platform to complete the test. Many school test days have been in an online format for the ACT; however, the test content and format has remained unchanged.

Quickly back to the first national test date for the brand-new Digital SAT. The consensus, not just for Huntington students, but students who took the test across the country was the difficulty of the math portion and questions regarding if practice material released by CollegeBoard was reflected on this first national test date. Based on data collected on the scores released. I have a strong inkling that those difficult math questions were scored on a generous curve. This is not uncommon, especially when tests are first released and creates a fairer and more accurate score range for students. We are very pleased with the scores students from Huntington Learning Centers Weddington and Fort Mill received.

This is all very relevant to current high school students. As these tests are “coming back, an important question is how do we give our children the right skills for these tests? Before the list, my first piece of advice: do not start to stress about the SAT or ACT until it is time to take it. Not in elementary or middle school, not even in ninth grade. We can give them the best foundation without causing trepidation.

1. Read EVERY SINGLE DAY. This gets harder in upper elementary, middle, and high school, but it never loses importance. The more you read, the stronger your vocabulary, the stronger your vocabulary, the stronger your reading comprehension, the stronger your reading comprehension, the better your test-taking and study skills will be.
   1. The mistake we often make is to push reading on our children. My kindergartener only has to read for 15 minutes, and that can be a battle. My rule for students at Huntington and my own child, read something, anything, if it is not on a cell phone. 
   2. Find something that interests your child. This could be a magazine or blog. I cannot tell you the amount of middle school boys that learned comprehension strategies utilizing Sports Illustrated at Huntington.
2. Be sure your child can break down a reading passage and understands key concepts such as: Details, Main Idea, Inference, Point Of View, Evidence, Relationship, Sequence. These key reading concepts are also key to developing strong study skills to break down material to be recalled for tests.
3. Practice Mnemonic strategies.
4. Address math concerns now! If your child struggles in math, it is likely that he or she will continue to struggle due to gaps. The gaps will be apparent in school and on the admissions tests discussed above. Work with teachers or a learning center to help identify and fill these gaps. There are also many amazing online platforms for basic math skills.
5. Prepare your child to not be perfect. GASP!!! From their first day of learning, the expectation is 100% correct. Guess what, a 1600 on the SAT or a 36 on the ACT, are earned by less than 1% of the population. Very few schools require perfection on standardized tests. If a child seeks perfection when it is not needed, valuable time will be wasted in answering the “get” questions.

Having these skills will give your child the confidence and motivation to do well in all academic pursuits, optional or not.

Huntington Learning Center Fort Mill is located at 1500 Fort Mill Parkway, Suite 105. Call today (803-548-8070) to get your child the help they need and deserve.