CollegeBoard has announced that the SAT is going completely digital by 2024, with the digital SAT being administered internationally in 2023 and later in the U.S. in 2024. The online SAT was pilot-tested in November 2021 and yielded promising results, with 80% of students finding it less stressful and 100% teacher satisfaction. 

CollegeBoard believes that it’s time to transition to the online SAT test for a variety of reasons, including efforts to stay relevant in an increasingly technological world and to expand testing availability and accessibility. With shorter and easier to administer tests, CollegeBoard expects an increase in testing times and locations. Testing availability is so important and CollegeBoard is using this moment to maximize SAT accessibility.

Staying Relevant Through Digital SAT Testing

CollegeBoard is updating its pencil and paper format in order to stay relevant and evolve with the times. But going digital is not the only change being made! CollegeBoard is using student and teacher feedback along with expert advice to update other elements of the SAT as well. 

Priscilla Rodriguez, vice president of College Readiness Assessments at College Board states that: “The digital SAT will be easier to take, easier to give, and more relevant. We’re not simply putting the current SAT on a digital platform — we’re taking full advantage of what delivering an assessment digitally makes possible. With input from educators and students, we are adapting to ensure we continue to meet their evolving needs.”

Some changes to the online SAT format include shortening the test from 3 hours to 2 hours and eliminating the essay requirement, which CollegeBoard announced a year ago. Read on to find out more about what’s different about the new online SAT test.

 

CollegeBoard Responds to “Test Optional” Admissions Trend

Over the last several years there has been an increasing “test optional” admissions trend. The pandemic has hastened this trend. With remote and hybrid learning, along with social distancing requirements, taking and administering the SAT has proved to be extra challenging. In response, many schools have waived their SAT admissions requirements. In fact, more than 1,800 schools did not require standardized testing scores for 2022 admissions. 

In December 2021 Harvard announced that it will not require SAT or ACT scores for admissions through the next 4 years. Many speculate that because of Harvard’s influence and prestige, this announcement will contribute further to the “test optional” admissions trend. 

The online SAT, however, complicates this question. What are the pros and cons of standardized testing and how does the new digital format of the SAT factor in?

Why does the SAT still matter?

Changes to the Digital SAT

The online SAT will feature many changes. Most notably, the test will be shortened from 3 hours to 2 hours. This can be partially accounted for by its increasing efficiency in terms of its administration. Proctors will no longer have to shuffle and sort papers. Nor will students have to wait for all of their peers to complete a written section before moving on as a group. 

The digital SAT will be taken on laptops and tablets at testing centers. Students will be permitted to use their personal devices or devices issued by the school. In order to address inequities, if there is a shortage of devices, CollegeBoard will provide additional devices for students to use during the online SAT test. 

The online SAT poses several concerns, especially related to security. Given the online nature of the test, each student will be issued a unique version of the test. This will eliminate any cheating. The digital SAT will also be taken on a secure browser. This will prevent students from visiting other websites, copying test material, or using unapproved tools and applications.

Furthermore, if a student loses power or wifi connection while taking the test, the digital SAT has been designed to save their work while their devices are temporarily disconnected. 

The digital SAT will feature shorter and more diverse reading passages with more time allotted per question. Students will be able to flag questions they would like to return to later. The digital timer will also be key in helping students work efficiently and practice time management. 

New Online Tools for the Digital SAT

The digital SAT will also feature a variety of online tools. Calculators will now be allowed during the entire math section and will be available on screen.

Other tools include: 

Clock: This feature will have a countdown for each section and will have a 5 minute warning before the end of a section.

Highlighter: This digital tool will enable students to highlight passages, questions, and answers to help them stay organized.

Line Focus: This feature will both highlight text while masking surrounding text to help guide students while they read.

Zoom In/Zoom Out: This feature will allow students to adjust the size of reading passages and images on screen while they complete their test.

Mark for Review: This feature will allow students to “flag” questions to return to later.

Strikethrough: This feature will allow students to eliminate answer options as they take the test.

Notes: Students will be provided with space for digital note-taking, in addition to physical scrap paper.

Reference: This feature will allow students to view standard mathematical formulas during the math section.

Additional time and other accommodations will still be available to qualifying students and can be explored in full on CollegeBoard’s website. The digital SAT format simplifies many of these accommodations, with coordinators easily able to customize font color and size as well as enable text-to-speech.

What’s the Same About the Digital SAT?

The online SAT will feature many changes but some things will stay the same. The test will still be scored out of 1600 points and – excluding the essay requirement – will include the same sections. Tests will still be administered at school or at a testing center and will be proctored. 

In short, the digital SAT will maintain the same vigorous security and content standards as the original format.

Click here for SAT study plans

Feedback from Students and Teachers

Students and teachers interviewed after completing the pilot-tested digital SAT in November 2021 have shared lots of positive feedback.

Students favor the digital SAT for many reasons. Many students remark that they can type faster than they can write, that the digital SAT helps them focus and manage their time better, and that the familiar online formatting eases anxiety. Students also appreciate how the test is shorter, more efficient, and features shorter, more diverse reading passages. Although comparatively small, students also said not having to worry about having to remember, use, and sharpen pencils relieved some stress. 

Teachers and proctors appreciate how streamlined the new digital SAT is and how they no longer have to worry about sorting, collecting, and storing papers. The administration process is much more straightforward and better allows students to work at their own pace.

Can You Take the SAT at Home?

Although you can now take the SAT online, you cannot take the digital SAT at home. Tests still need to be taken at a school or testing center where students can be properly monitored. 

The new digital format, however, will likely increase how often the test is offered. Due to the shortened test, many students will also likely receive the option to take the digital SAT during the school day. Not only will this increase overall accessibility, by eliminating the need to travel to testing locations, but taking the SAT during the school day may help ease testing anxiety.

A Question of Fairness: Does the SAT Help or Hinder Minority Students?

There has been an ongoing debate throughout the years as to whether or not standardized testing is fair, particularly in regards to how accessible it is to various minority students. 

Many have argued that standardized testing is discriminatory. While wealthier students are able to pay for tutoring, practice tests, and other resources, many other students cannot afford these options. Additionally, many have argued that the featured reading passages favor wealthier, more affluent worldviews.

Others argue that standardized testing actually helps establish more equality within the college admissions process. SAT scores may help strengthen students’ college applications with high potential but comparatively low GPAs. Grades and GPAs vary greatly between schools and grade inflation can influence admissions unfairly. 

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There are more than 25,000 high schools in the U.S. and it is impossible for colleges to be familiar with all of them. Colleges simply do not have the resources to have insight into the various standards of all of these schools. Due to this, some argue that standardized testing scores are a more objective reflection of a student’s academic abilities.

The SAT is also often more accessible to low-income students than other college admissions factors such as sports and extracurricular activities, which can be costly. 

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Priscilla Rodriguez, vice president of College Readiness Assessments at College Board shares: “I’m a first-generation American, the child of immigrants who came to the U.S. with limited financial resources, and I know how the SAT Suite of Assessments opened doors to colleges, scholarships, and educational opportunities that I otherwise never would have known about or had access to. We want to keep those same doors of opportunity open for all students.”

While the SAT continues to pose controversy, it is important to appreciate the opportunities this test can provide. All students deserve to have access to the resources to further their education and the fact that the SAT can help secure resources for some students is admirable. 

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Are you looking for the best ways to achieve a successful junior year in high school? Well, we have organized the best steps to get you on the right track to a seamless enrollment into college. Follow this guide to learn why junior year is going to be your hardest year and could be your most successful year in high school.

Why is Junior Year the Hardest Year of High School?

You may be asking yourself, “Is junior year hard?” or “What should I expect of my junior year”. We’re here to answer all of your questions as you enter your junior year of high school. This is the year when things get a little more real and when your grades are going to matter the most. Without a doubt, it’ll be your busiest year of high school as well as your most important year of high school because you’ll be preparing for college.

How to Have a Successful Junior Year in High School?

If you are looking for the best ways how to survive junior year of high school, then you are in the right place. There are many different ways that you can prepare yourself for a successful junior year of high school. The most important thing is to be focused and keep your grades up. This is the year that colleges are looking to see where you are striving. Now we’re going to dive into ways you can have a successful junior year. 

Achieve Excellent Grades

During your junior year of high school, your grades are going to be extremely important. Colleges will be on the lookout for how capable you are during this particular year. Having impressive grades, especially in high-level classes, is what will be important to the colleges you are applying to. This is your most current year for grades that colleges will see, so make them count!

Ways to Achieve Excellent Grades

Consider taking on advanced-level classes as you go into your junior year. But if you start to notice your grades slipping, ask for help. Your grades are extremely important and your teachers are accessible for the questions you may have about assignments. Use that to your advantage. Impress your teachers and potential colleges with the hard work and dedication you’re putting in. 

Another way you can achieve a successful year of grades is by staying organized. Have a calendar or planner designated to the dates you have tested and when you need to turn in assignments. This is also a good place to keep track of your college application deadlines.    

Click here for a college planning checklist made for juniors

Check College Application Deadlines

Since junior year is the year you are going to be applying for colleges, you’ll need to know when those deadlines take place. Keeping track of when you need to have all your applications ready to send out is important. Dedicate some time to researching your top choice colleges and make sure you have the correct deadlines to make submissions. 

Ways to Stay Organized

Things that you should keep a record of that most colleges will ask for are high school records, college application, SAT or ACT scores, recommendation letters, and more. Every college is different so make sure you have all the necessary papers completed for the process. If you are ever unsure of what you need, you can always contact college admissions for additional help.

Look for Leadership Opportunities

The ultimate way to impress a college that you are applying for is with extracurricular activities. Are you partaking in leadership opportunities? There are groups, clubs, and teams that your school may offer, so it would be beneficial to show an interest in them!

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Ways to Implement Leadership Opportunities

Whether you are a competitive person or you like expressing yourself, there is an extracurricular activity out there for you! Contact the admissions office at your high school to see what opportunities you would be able to take advantage of. You could be participating in anything from sports to drama performances. Colleges also like students who participate in community services, so keep that in mind as well when you’re searching for extracurricular activities.   

3 Common Mistakes to Avoid During Your Junior Year in High School

Since we’ve been throwing all of the responsibilities you should achieve during your junior year of high school, let’s break down things that you should avoid as well. This will be another rendition of tips for tackling your junior year.

Don't Ignore the Preliminary Exams

The first thing that you should focus on is getting all of your required exams done to get into college. During your junior year of high school, you have the opportunity to take what is called the psat. Essentially it is a practice test for the SAT which you will be required to take your senior year of high school.

This is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for the SAT. What most students don’t know is that once they take the SAT it automatically qualifies them for the chance to get the National Merit Scholarship. Depending on the college, you have to achieve a certain score on either test to qualify for enrollment. This is why it is quite important for you to get all of your exams for the year completed.   

Some of the other tests that may be expected of you, especially if you’re taking advanced placement courses, are AP tests. These are high-level tests that you can use to your advantage on your college application if you score well. Just like studying for the SAT, you will have to put time aside to study for your AP tests. These rigorous courses are paired with equally difficult tests, so make sure you are absorbing information and studying the material as well.  

Click here for SAT and ACT study plans

Don't Procrastinate

If there is any advice that we can give to 10th grade students that are going into 11th grade, it’s don’t procrastinate. Get all of your work done on time. It is harder to make up assignments to bring your grades up in classes than to just do them when they are expected of you. Since you are going into your third year of high school don’t slack on deadlines, get your applications in, and study for the psat. 

Find a Good Balance

Your next year is going to be the one that proves that you are ready for the real world and deserving to go to college. While this may seem like a lot of pressure, it’s important that you balance your life out. With school, extracurriculars, and community service, you are still going to need time for yourself and for fun. Thinking about the future and enjoying the moment can be difficult and overwhelming. It’s important to rest and get a good amount of sleep. You may find yourself becoming stressed out as the school year goes on. Just remind yourself to slow down and rest.

Junior year of high school checklist

Freshman year and sophomore year were gearing you for the advancement of your last years in high school. Your senior year is supposed to be a little more relaxed compared to your junior year. Although as high school students you are going to need to think about what your college years are going to look like. This may involve using a checklist of everything that you need to accomplish in your junior year.

To prepare for your first year of college we suggest completing this checklist in your junior year:

  • Get letters of recommendation
  • Apply for Colleges
  • Meet with a counselor for extracurriculars 
  • Apply for financial aid 
  • Apply for a merit scholarship
  • Complete AP courses
  • Take standardized tests 
  • Take college visits over summer and winter break
  • Study for the SAT (take the psat)

Can a Junior in High school Apply to a College?

A lot of our counselors get the question “Can you apply for college as a junior?” and while we love the dedication of some learners, most colleges won’t allow a junior to apply. We recommend that all students check the college admissions section of their website on when the best time to apply is. 

We’re assembling a checklist in terms of everything you need to apply for college so that you will be well equipped. It’s recommended for most high school students to start applying to colleges at the beginning of their senior year.   

Final thoughts

In conclusion, if you want to achieve a successful junior year in high school it is recommended that you stay organized. To embark on a successful junior year of high school you are also going to need to stay on top of your assignments and participate in as many activities as possible. Don’t forget to study hard and most importantly enjoy the moment! Your enrollment into college is important to make all of your studies count!