The redesigned version of the SAT will cover a wider variety of topics, be shorter and will allow calculators to be used for the entire math section. The College Board on January 25, 2022, also announced that its SAT Suite of Assessments will be offered digitally from 2023 and in the US from 2024.
International students will be allowed seven attempts for the SAT instead of five. The goal is to make the test more accessible to all students. By giving students more options, they will be able to score better and take it throughout the year.
The College Board said that the new format would align with what students are already doing when it comes to digital learning. It will further be more secure and provide students with a unique test and also prevent them from sharing their answers.
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According to the feedback gathered for the new format, 80% of students found it less stressful. The new format was also well-received by teachers and administrators. As schools rely on technology to support educational programs, the SATs should also be transitioned to digital.
The SAT changed its format from 2400 to 1600 scores in 2016. It also no longer penalises test takers for wrong answers. Also, it shifted to a more streamlined reading and writing section, which included a math section and an optional essay. In 2021, the College Board stopped the optional essay and the Subject tests. The changes in the test have resulted in a simpler overall structure.
Before, students who wanted to take the SAT subject tests were also able to get admission to certain courses. Now, they no longer need to take the SAT subject tests to get admission to certain courses. The College Board no longer accepts the SAT subject tests.
The new SAT will have a wider range of short passages, which will allow more students to study topics related to the humanities and sciences. The new test will also feature more short passages that will explore current issues in finance, environment, and economics.
It's possible that the SAT 2022 will introduce more graphical information to solve complex math and science questions. The shift to calculators for the math section could signal major changes in the test. It could also introduce more math problems that are more challenging than the current ones.
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According to College Board, the digital version of the SAT will be more user-friendly and offer a better user experience. The digital version of the SAT will have a Student Clock that will allow test takers to track their time. It will also have tools such as a highlighter and a mark for review. The digital version of the test also has a built-in calculator that will allow users to quickly answer questions. The scores will still be reported on a 1600 scale, though they will be available in a shorter time period.
The launch of the digital SAT in 2024 is expected to change the test landscape forever. It will allow more people to take the test and compete globally. The advantages of the new test are many, such as it will provide a more productive and satisfying test experience for students.
Source: The Times of India
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