Yo, does anyone know when the SAT changed its format and what the major differences are between the old and the new SAT? I'm trying to understand how it's evolved and how it might affect my preparations.
Hey there! The SAT underwent a significant change in March 2016, and then another less substantial but still notable change in spring 2024 when it switched to a fully digital format.
Major differences between the old SAT (pre-2016) and the post-2016 SAT:
1. Scoring: The old SAT had a maximum score of 2400, with three sections (Critical Reading, Math, and Writing) each worth 800 points. The post-2016 SAT has a maximum score of 1600, with two sections (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math) each worth 800 points.
2. Essay: The essay portion was mandatory in the old SAT and contributed to the Writing section score. In the post-2016 SAT, the essay was made optional, and discontinued altogether in 2021.
Differences between the post-2016 SAT and the spring 2024 digital SAT:
1. Fully Digital: The SAT switched to an entirely digital platform in spring 2024.
2. Structure: The digital SAT has two 32-minute Reading/Writing modules with 54 questions, giving you about 71 seconds per question, and two 35-minute Math modules with 44 questions, giving you 96 seconds per question. The total test duration is 134 minutes, with 98 questions.
3. Calculator policy: You can use a calculator on both Math modules in the digital SAT, whereas the post-2016 paper-format had a no-calculator section.
As for your preparations, make sure to adapt your practice materials and strategies according to the current digital SAT format. The College Board offers updated practice tests, and tools like the Bluebook™ app can help you preview the digital format and take a full-length practice test.
There are also resources like Khan Academy and CollegeVine's blog that can complement the official study materials from the College Board. One CollegeVine blog post that you may find helpful during your SAT preparation can be found here: https://blog.collegevine.com/10-tips-to-improve-your-sat-score
Best of luck with your preparations!
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