US college students past and present will be familiar with the formidable SAT test as part of the admissions process.
In March 2023 however, the standardized test will be undergoing some changes for international applicants, including a new digital SAT platform being introduced to provide a more flexible and consistent testing option for prospective students.
As well as the SAT, the PSAT, and other college-entry tests will be moving to a more efficient digital process, with students having the option to undertake the test on a computer at one of the dedicated testing centres, or through the use of their own laptop on-site under the supervision of the invigilators.
Priscilla Rodriguez, vice president of College Readiness Assessments at the College Board recently spoke on the upcoming changes and the motivation behind improving the service:
“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”.
Later in the year, US students will also be able to utilise the new digital PSAT platform, with the SAT availability following suit in 2024 – bringing with it a faster and more efficient scoring feedback process, cutting the time from the current timescale of between two and six weeks, down to a few days.
Another change being implemented into the new Digital SAT is the length of the actual test itself. The current format generally lasts three hours, with the new proposed version being cut by a full hour to a 120-minute timescale, with the estimated time per question also being expanded, giving students more time to answer each question.
Calculators will now also be allowed for the entire math section, where the current construction of the test only allows for one section to be completed with the aid of a calculator, and the reading passages are also due to become shorter, with one question tied to each.
The SAT will remain on a 1,600 scale and continue to be done within a dedicated testing centre, however, the changes being implemented are expected to make the end-to-end process easier and reduce the amount of stress on prospective students through a more streamlined and modern approach.
SAT Test Tuition is available as part of our Elite and Professional service packages, including practice tests, testing strategies, and general guidance and advice, as well as access to our custom-built SAT preparation platform.
FirstPoint USA is an international scouting service, providing recruitment services to hundreds of NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA member institutions seeking to identify the very best in overseas talent, both male and female.
The company was founded in 2001 by former University of Cincinnati All-American and Hall of Fame inductee, Andrew Kean, and evaluates over 100,000 prospective student-athletes, competing in over 20 different sports, across 187 countries each year.
