The New SAT: Digging Deeper
The new SAT will be offered in March of 2024 for U.S. students for the first time. As always at Tutor Associates, we want you to feel prepared! See below for our FAQs!
What is the new SAT out of?
Just like the old SAT, the new SAT will be out of 1600. Each section (Reading/Writing & Math) will be out of 800.
What are the sections on the SAT?
Reading/Writing & Math, same as the old SAT.
Has the content on those sections changed?
Only slightly, but it’s important to take note of those changes and prepare accordingly:
Reading/Writing Section:
*NEW* Questions about poetry!
*NEW* “Which quotation illustrates the claim?”
Students will need to consider the use of figurative language previously not tested in the SAT reading section and be mindful of answers that only fulfill the questions partially.
Comparison questions
These are the same as those from the old SAT, but instead of pulling from two longer texts, these questions pull from two shorter paragraphs by different authors on a related topic.
Craft & Structure, Information & Ideas, Standard English Conventions, Expression of Ideas
Punctuation questions are framed as needing to “conform to conventions of standard English” as opposed to having no introduction at all. This is helpful! It tells students they need to use grammar rules!
Math Section:
Though the SAT has found a couple new ways of asking some old questions, the majority of the questions and the format of the problems have not changed much between the 2016 version and the new digital test. The primary difference between the two tests is the adaptive nature of the digital test and that students are permitted to use a calculator on both math sections.
What is the timing on each section?
The Reading & Writing section features 54 total questions, over 64 minutes. Each of the two modules will include 27 questions, done in 32 minutes. These modules will come first in the exam and be followed by a 10-minute break.
The Math section features 44 questions over 70 minutes. Each of the two modules will include 22 questions over 35 minutes.
Note that you may move around within a module, but you may not come back to a module once you have submitted that module. You may not move onto another module until the time has run out on your current module.
How will students take the SAT?
The new SAT is digital, which means students will take the SAT on a computer, either their own, a school-issued device, or one from the College Board. Students will be able to flag questions and come back to them, annotate passages, and have a countdown clock that will allow them to see when they are running out of time.
Where will students take the new SAT?
Students will test at testing centers, as they always have.
Is the new SAT adaptive? What does that even mean?
Each test section (Reading/Writing and Math) is divided into two parts called modules; students answer a set of questions in the first module before moving on to the next. The questions that students are given in the second module depend on how they performed in the first module. Harder questions are weighted differently for scoring purposes. Please note that individual questions are not adaptive, so students may move freely around whichever module they are currently in.
Will students have use of a calculator?
A graphing calculator will be built into the testing app or students can bring their own calculator. Students will be also provided with a formula reference sheet. Students will want to learn the ins and outs of navigating that on screen Desmos calculator as well as their physical calculator, both of which can help them attack various questions.
What is the total timing like?
The digital SAT will take about two hours.
When will results be available?
Results will be available within days, instead weeks.
Can I request accommodations for my child?
Of course! Please follow this link for more information.
We know these changes can be daunting and we’re here to help you and your child figure out how best to navigate them. Let’s chat–email director@tutorassociates.com to book a call!
