What are the major changes with the new digital SAT?

Aside from being administered on a computer, the new digital SAT will be much shorter and “adaptive.” It will only have two sections: a reading/writing section a math section, each with two “modules” or “stages.” The test will only take about 2 hours in all. There will no longer be long reading passages; instead, reading questions will consist of a short paragraph accompanied by one question. There is no longer a “no calculator” math section.

What is an “adaptive” test and what are these “modules” all about?

Both the reading/writing section and the math section are split into two equal parts called “modules” or “stages.” The first stage is the same difficulty for everyone. If a student scores high enough on the first stage, their second stage will be more difficult. If a student does poorly on the first stage, their second stage will be easier. This change helps separate high scoring students from super high scoring students with an even shorter test.

Does everyone have to take this new digital SAT or can I still take the old one?

Yes, starting in 2024, everyone will be administered the digital SAT.

Are scores reported the same?

Yes, the scores are out of a total of 1600 (800 possible for the reading/writing and 800 for the mathematics).

How will you help my student achieve a higher score?

First, we work one on one with the student to learn the test format and question types. We’ll pick up a lot of content knowledge and test strategy in this initial phase. Next, we hone in on areas of weakness where your student can improve. Each week, we go over homework and spend time fleshing out problems that gave the student the most trouble. With enough practice, passages and questions will start to feel repetitive, which is exactly what we want to see! Lastly, we put in work (if needed) to improve pace. Some students benefit more from the test strategy techniques and some need more content tutoring; it’s always some combination of both and always geared towards what your student needs.

How do you address weaknesses and track progress?

Between sessions, there is homework for your student to complete. Weaknesses become clear as we see what sort of questions are consistently troublesome. Over time, the student has fewer and fewer questions to address and sessions consist more of live practice rather than correcting homework.

How early should we start preparing? How many sessions per week?

We typically recommend starting tutoring 10 to 12 weeks before the test date. Most students meet weekly for 1.5 hour sessions. Some students learn best by starting much earlier (low and slow). We would not recommend “cramming” a couple of weeks before the test, but we can do an intensive crash course if that is the case.

Is there homework? How much?

Yes, homework is a big part of the learning process. It gives the student a chance to practice strategies and content taught during the tutoring session. Homework will range from just 30 mins to at most 2 hours depending on where we are in the tutoring process.

What is the average amount of improvement my student would expect to see?

Most students can achieve an improvement of about 200 points depending on where their starting point is. We’ve seen scores jump even higher. If the student puts the work in, the sky is the limit.