SAT

Overview of the Digital SAT Test

The digital SAT test is more secure than the old paper and pencil test paper. Currently, if one test edition is compromised, it may mean canceling scores for whole groups. Going digital allows The College Board to give every student a unique test form, so it would be theoretically impossible to share answers.

The digital SAT is adaptive, so it can measure core reading, writing, and math knowledge and skills much more efficiently, shortening the overall length of the test while also allowing you more time per question. The digital SAT is around two hours long instead of three for the old paper and pencil test. It includes two sections (Reading and Writing, Math) with a break in between.

The overall test day experience is shorter since most pre-administration activities, such as downloading the exam application and completing the student questionnaire, will happen in advance of your test day. Also, testing staff won’t need to spend time handing out, collecting, or sorting test materials.

You’ll take the Digital SAT on a laptop or tablet, using a custom-built digital exam application (Bluebook™ ) that you’ll download in advance of test day.  You can either use a personal device, a school-issued device, or you can request a loaned device when you register for the SAT. Students who need to borrow a device from College Board will have to register and request their device earlier than the registration deadline—at least 30 days before test day—to allow time for international shipping.

You are responsible for arriving at the test center with your testing application downloaded and your device fully charged. (The College Board will remind you of this ahead of test day.) If you arrive without your app downloaded or without a full battery, proctors will provide you with the opportunity to download the Bluebook™ in your testing room, or charge your device if feasible. If you are using a personal device, you can download Bluebook™ at bluebook.app.collegeboard.org. The download page will detect your device type and make the appropriate file available. If you arrive without a device (or you do not have the approval of the College Board to borrow one from the College Board), you will be dismissed from the testing room.

The digital testing application includes these test tools:

• A way to label questions in order to come back to them later
• A countdown clock, which you can choose to show or hide at the top of your testing screen, that will alert you when you’re running out of time
• A built-in graphing calculator you can use on the entire math section (or you can bring your own calculator in accordance with the approved list)
• A reference sheet, for each math question, consisting of common formulae

Particularly relevant to Lebanon, test centers will be equipped with adequate power sources. The digital SAT withstands internet outages. If the internet disconnects during testing, you will still be able to continue through the test with no disruption—all your work will be saved, and you won’t lose testing time.

In addition, each test center has a technology monitor who can help with connectivity issues or minor device issues. While most issues can be resolved when you restart the Bluebook testing application on your device, proctors can minimize disruptions in the testing room by sending you to a nearby designated help room.

Scores will be delivered much faster with the digital SAT Suite: in days instead of weeks. The SAT will still be scored on a 1600 scale. Scores on both SATs will mean the same thing, so a score of 1050 on the digital SAT corresponds to a score of 1050 on the paper and pencil SAT.

Score reports for the digital SAT Suite will include information on how you performed and how you can grow and improve. Reports will continue to connect you to college planning information, scholarships, and recognition programs. You will also receive relevant information about how your SAT score connects to career opportunities that will help you set goals and make more informed decisions about your future.

The Format of the Digital SAT

The digital SAT is adaptive. Both the Reading and Writing section and the Math section are broken into two separately timed modules. You answer a set of questions in the first module before moving on to the next. The first module has a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. The difficulty of the second module is related to how quickly and how accurately you answer questions in the first module. Based on how you have done in the first module, you may have an easier, harder, or more balanced second module.

Both modules of the combined Reading and Writing sections comprise passages from a wide variety of academic sources, ranging from literature to science. Multiple choice questions ask you to demonstrate your knowledge of command of evidence, vocabulary in context, rhetoric, and the conventions of written English.

Both modules of the math sections feature algebra and advanced math, as well as some word problems, data analysis, geometry, and basic trigonometry. Questions are either multiple choice or a few grid-in style questions. Questions in context (word problems) will be more concise than those on the current test.

• In the two modules of the Reading and Writing section, there are 54 questions in total (27 in each module) to be completed in 64 minutes
• In the two modules of the Math section there are 44 questions in total (22 in each module) to be completed in 70 minutes. A calculator can be used for all questions
• You will be provided with scratch paper and may bring a pen or pencil
• The total testing time is around 2 hours 14 minutes
• You cannot turn to the next module until the allotted time is over
• There is a short break between the Reading and Writing Section and the Math section.

How is the Digital SAT scored?

Your Digital SAT score report will still use the 200-800 scores for both the Reading and Writing section and the Math section. Then, those two scores are added together to get your overall SAT score out of 1600.

For every question answered correctly on the SAT, you receive one point. There is no penalty for guessing or skipping. For example, for the Reading and Writing Section, there are 54 questions, and the maximum raw score is 54. The raw score is converted into the final section scale score using a unique table which ensures each test is “standardized”. (In other words, the score achieved on a ‘hard’ SAT test is equal to that of the “easier” SAT tests.) The table varies by SAT test date and is established before students take the test: a raw score of 43 in Math might translate to 780 on one test date and 760 on another.

International Registration

The digital SAT is being launched internationally first because going digital will allow The College Board to offer two additional international SAT administrations, moving from five to seven administrations. For the current academic year 2022/3 three administrations are scheduled.

The SAT registration fee is $60, plus a $43 regional fee.

Test centers in Lebanon do not charge an additional test center fee for the digital SAT.

We can help you with your registration if you get bogged down with the details.

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