According to studies performed by Jennifer Heissel, Emma Adam, David Figlio, Jennifer Doleac, and Jonathan Meer, on average, students have approximately 15 percent more cortisol during the homeroom period before a standardized test than before days with little to no testing. When most students think of the SAT, they think of the most important and intense test of their lives. However, if you learn more about the test itself, it becomes easier to prepare to help you succeed on test day. Therefore, here are some key details about the Digital SAT:
Adaptive Testing
The test is made up of two sections – reading & writing, and math – with a ten-minute break in between. Within each section, there are two different modules. Since the test is digital, College Board uses adaptive testing, meaning that the difficulty of the second module depends on a student’s performance on the first module of each section.
If a student does poorly on the first module, they will receive an easier version of the second module. On the other hand, if a student does well on the first module, they will receive a more challenging version of the second module. This allows for a more personalized testing experience.
Question Difficulty Determines Score
While it may seem disheartening to get stuck on a tricky question, make sure not to lose hope, as the easier questions often matter most. The SAT calculates scores based on the difficulty of the questions answered correctly. Consequently, easier questions have a higher impact, since knowledge of them is more important than the knowledge of an obscure concept.
To use this process to your advantage, it is highly recommended that you answer as many questions confidently as possible and return to the more challenging, time-consuming questions at the end. This way, you are focusing more of your time and energy on the questions with the most value.
Experimental Questions
On the test, you will occasionally come across a question that focuses on a challenging concept that you may have never heard of before. What you may not realize is that these questions are purposefully designed by CollegeBoard to experiment for future tests. The College Board guide to SAT scoring states, “Each stage consists of a module of test questions comprising half of the section’s questions (20–25 operational questions and two pretest questions, which don’t count for scoring, per module).” This reveals that some questions on the test are not even scored.
Clear Calculations
Within the Math section of the test, tools like the Desmos Scientific and Graphing calculators are available for use. These calculators allow you to have clear calculations and quickly solve problems. Many students study ways to use Desmos along with actual math topics in order to decrease the amount of time spent on each question and get clear answers with less time-consuming work.
Oakmont Junior Finley Catlin shares, “It’s very helpful with figuring out regressions and finding relationships within a provided table. I also find that I have an easier time understanding complex math problems when I have a visual, so as a visual learner, Desmos is heavily beneficial.”
Success in Super-Scoring
While many colleges and universities are becoming test-optional, many are allowing super-scored SAT results to be submitted on applications. This means that the score you submit is made of your best score on the Reading and Writing section and your best score on the Math section, regardless of test dates. For example, if you did the best on the Reading and Writing section during the March SAT, but your best Math score was on the June SAT, super-scoring would allow you to combine the two section scores to make one even better score.
The majority of colleges and universities also outline their test-reporting policies on their websites, with Boston College specifically stating, “…super-scores testing results, considering only the highest individual score from each test section during our review. Therefore, we recommend students list all SAT and/or ACT scores they have earned.”
Since super-scoring is an extremely beneficial ability to boost your applications, be sure to check if the colleges and universities you are looking to apply to allow this.
Oakmont’s Take On the Test
Additional studying outside of classes can make all the difference on the SAT. However, many students feel as if more work could be done within the classroom to allow students to succeed better. While the curriculum should come first in classes, many students believe that support with the SAT and guidance could be extremely beneficial for those who do not have access to resources or have knowledge of how to utilize them.
Oakmont Junior Jocelyn Cleaves reflects on her SAT experiences. “If our school worked to prepare us on how to answer SAT questions using specific strategies, classes, and designated time for SAT prep, students could actually prepare for this important test.” Since it is a valuable part of college applications, many think schools should help out more if the education system truly wants students to be as successful as possible.
Knowledge for Test Day
Now that you have a good understanding of how the Digital SAT works, you can better prepare for the test. While these tips might benefit you, they do not replace hard work and true knowledge on the actual exam. Make sure to study and try your best!
