Expert Digital SAT Prep Tips and Resources
Watch my recent interview with Laura Heslin Whitmore of Strategic Test Prep for top Digital SAT prep tips and resources
Testing and the new digital SAT continue to be hot topics in the college admissions world. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Laura Heslin Whitmore, owner of Strategic Test Prep, about her take on the new digital SAT and top tips for preparing for it. We discussed some of the changes in the SAT, the adaptive format, the DESMOS calculator, and some great tools to use as you prepare.
Digital SAT English Section
Laura tells us about the changes, valuable skills needed to do well on that section, and how you can better prepare for it. While the sections are shorter, students need to be able to analyze the text quickly and possess a strong level of vocabulary. Being able to paraphrase and break down the information quickly are skills that will be very valuabale here.
Digital SAT Math Section
We talked about the more conceptual nature of the math questions and the power of the built-in DESMOS calculator. Students should absolutely learn how to use the calculator well before the test.
Adaptive Testing
Students who do not reach a certain score on the first base-line module of the test, will be given the ‘easier’ module for the second half of their test. This means that these students will have a lower maximum score possible. It is estimated that students who get the easier module will be able to obtain a max score of around a 600 in each section. It is important for students to do well on this first module to be able to get the higher maximum scores. Using process of elimination and taking advantage of the answer-eliminator tool are important. Understanding the test format and preparing well will help with this.
How early should students take the SAT?
This is a vety dependent upon what academic levels the students have, but Laura recommends students begin testing sophomore year in order to allow time to take the test 2-3 times and have ample time to prepare before senior year. Students get so busy as they reach end of junior year and often it is difficult to find the time to study and schedule the SAT or ACT.
How many times should students take the SAT?
There is no magic number, but typically she does see a point where students max out their scores. This is not necessarily because they have reached their full potential, it is more because they are just mentally done with it. They get burnt out on prep and testing and just stop improving at a certain point.
Great Resources for Preparing for the Digital SAT
Of course the best resource to start with is the official College Board Bluebook. They have official questions and 6 full tests available for free with more coming soon.
Laura’s app, Preptly, is a great resource for students to use to prepare for the test on the go. It was created specifically for the digital SAT and is continuously updated with new questions and materials. Students are able to use the app to prepare for short amounts of time whenever they can.
For English:
Erica Meltzer’s Reading and Writing Test Book: Digital SAT
Vibrant Publisher’s prep books
For Math:
Blueprep is another company which offers a free full test and paid prep materials using the same format as the Bluebook.
And of course, you can contact Laura and her great team of tutors at Strategic Test Prep for one-on-one tutoring.
Digital SAT prep tips with Laura Heslin Whitmore and Ashley McNaughton
The new Digital SAT
Big news recently was that the SAT will be moving to 100% digital testing in the future. They will debut it internationally in Spring 2023, for the Fall PSAT both in the US and abroad, and by Spring 2024 it should be digital everywhere.
Big news in the college admissions world recently was that the SAT will be moving to 100% digital testing in the future. They will begin with it internationally in Spring 2023 then continue with the Fall 2023 PSAT both in the US and abroad; by Spring 2024 it will be digital in all locations for both PSAT and SAT.
The test is still required to be taken at a school or official test center. However, the possibility of more test dates and flexibility in test centers scheduling them may make it easier for students to find a test date that fits their schedule and location. For international students, this could make a big difference as their previous test dates and locations were more limited.
Students can bring their own tablets or laptops or they can use those provided at the test site. Graphing calculators will also be built in to the test, so students who feel comfortable using those can leave their own at home. Students will still be provided scratch paper and can use a pen/pencil to work on solutions as needed.
A major difference to be discussed is the difference in the questions students will get. Gone are the days when test centers will be mailed packages of the same test for one test date. Now, students will face different sets of questions based on the accuracy of how they answered previous sections. This will help eliminate the possibility of the hard copy tests being compromised and students copying answers from their neighbors, but the security of the digital versions will also surely be an issue. It will be interesting for us outsiders to see how the tests are scored and scaled when students take different levels of difficulty.
Current 9th graders may not want to take the PSAT 10 in 2023 as it will still be on paper and they would then be taking the digital version of the PSAT/SAT the following Fall 2023. College Board has announced prep materials for the new digital SAT will be available via their Khan Academy Fall 2022. We will see how soon other test prep companies adapt to the changes and offer new prep materials.
With more than 75% of colleges and universities in the US currently test-optional or test-blind, it will be interesting to see how students and colleges adapt to these changes.
Additional Resources
https://newsroom.collegeboard.org/digital-sat-brings-student-friendly-changes-test-experience