Can anyone explain the digital SAT curve?

I've heard a bit about the digital SAT and that it's curved, but I'm a little confused - how does that curve work? I'm trying to understand it better so I can strategize my study plan. Thanks for any info.

Absolutely, I'd be happy to explain! The digital SAT, like its paper predecessor, is scored on a scale of 200-800 for each section (Total 400-1600). The 'curve' you've heard about isn't technically a curve, but rather a process called equating. Equating ensures that scores are consistent and fair across different test dates.

The College Board, the organization that administers the SAT, designs each test to be approximately the same difficulty level. However, slight variances in difficulty can occur due to the different sets of questions on each test. To account for these differences, the College Board uses equating. This process adjusts for slight differences in difficulty between test forms, so a score of 600 on one test means the same as a 600 on another test, regardless of the specific test form and date.

Let me illustrate this. Suppose you got a question incorrect on a test that many students found easy (high-scoring). This might mean more of a drop in your score because it implies you got a relatively 'easy' question wrong. On the other hand, if you got a question incorrect on an exam that was generally more challenging (lower-scoring), that may not affect your score as much as it implies you missed a challenging question which presumably more people got wrong.

Keep in mind, the SAT doesn't grade on a curve in the traditional sense. Your score doesn't depend on how everyone else performs on the test; rather, it's about maintaining the same meaning for scores from different dates.

As you plan your study strategy, focus on understanding the content and mastering the types of questions asked. The equating process doesn't make it so missing certain questions matters more than others in your preparation. With the SAT's move to a digital format, you might want to include some digital practice tests in your study plan to get accustomed to the new format. Good luck with your studies!