The Digital SAT

Updates in Standardized Testing

Contents:

What has changed about the SAT and what has stayed the same
New Digital SAT exam structure
Examples of new question types
Bluebook app
Comparison of the SAT, Digital SAT, and ACT
How preparation for the SAT is changing
Available preparation resources

320 Old Country Road, Suite 102, Garden City, NY 11530

curvebreakerstestprep.com/schools
(516) 728-1561 | [email protected]
What Has Not Changed?
The SAT is still scored out of 1600
Section scores are out of 800 each
Types of math questions remain the same
Math “grid-ins” still exist as fill-in-the-blank style questions
Reading comprehension questions are still largely based on
context clues and do not require students to memorize long
vocab lists

About Curvebreakers
As the founder of Curvebreakers Test Prep, I've dedicated my career to helping students
navigate the ever-evolving landscape of standardized testing. After working for some of
the largest tutoring companies and boutique firms in New York City, I founded
Curvebreakers in 2014 with a vision to create a tutoring company that emphasizes data-
driven results with a personalized approach.

At Curvebreakers, we're committed to empowering students to achieve their academic

goals through personalized instruction, authentic assessment tools, and culturally
responsive study materials that help them excel on college admissions exams. Our
program is designed to prepare students to meet and exceed the SAT College Readiness
Benchmarks and the ACT College and Career Readiness Standards.

We prioritize personalized attention to school administrative staff, students, and parents

while maintaining a family atmosphere. We believe that every student deserves equal
access to the tools they need to succeed, and we're passionate about helping students
reach their full potential.

Today, we'll delve into the changes brought about by the digital SAT and explore
strategies to ensure students are well-equipped to excel. So, let's dive in together and
discover how we can empower our students to break through the curve and achieve their
academic aspirations.

Nicholas LaPoma, Founder & President

What Has Changed?
App-based, adaptive testing
One-hour shorter test time
Two main sections instead of four
Each section consists of two modules
A calculator is now permitted on all math questions
Shorter reading passages and new question types
Results are available within days vs. weeks
Discontinued QAS reports

Timing and format

Time Allotted
Component Number of Questions / Tasks
(minutes)

Reading & Writing 64 (two 32-minute modules) 54

Math 70 (two 35-minute modules) 44

Total 134 98

New Exam Structure

Section 1: Reading,
Module 1 Module 2
Writing & Language If students perform well
All students start
on the first module,
Section 1 now combines questions with the
they are presented with
related to both reading same module. harder questions.
comprehension and grammar.

Section 2: Math
Module 1 Module 2
The section without calculator If students perform well
All students start
has been removed. An in-app on the first module,
with the
Desmos calculator is available they are presented with
throughout the test. same module. harder questions.
SAT, Digital SAT, and ACT Comparison

Paper-and-Pencil
Digital SAT ACT
SAT

Test Time: 3 hours Test Time: 2 hours Test Time: 2h 55m

Timing and
Break time: 15 min Break Time: 10 min Break Time: 10 min
Questions 154 questions 98 Questions 215 Questions

2 Sections: 4 Sections:
4 Sections: 1) English
1) Reading Reading & Writing is
Section 1 and Math is 2) Math
Format 2) Writing
Section 2. Each section 3) Reading
3) Math (no calculator) 4) Science
4) Math with calculator is made up of two
modules. Optional Essay

Math is one section.

Math is split into two Students may use the Math is one section
sections; one with in-app graphing and calculator is
Math calculator followed Desmos calculator allowed for the full
by one without. during both math section.
modules.

Reading, Writing &

Reading and Language are now
Reading & Writing Writing/Language are combined into the Reading and English
(English their own separate same section. are separate sections.
sections. Questions are mixed
together randomly.

4 digital practice tests

Full-length practice
are available on the
exams are widely
Bluebook app.
available; many are The ACT is a long-
Test preparation
Preparation free and directly established exam and
companies are
Resources available from The with many resources
developing their own
College Board’s for preparation.
tests to supplement
website to
the lack of available
download.
materials.
Old vs. New Question Types

Example: Old Reading Comprehension Question Being Replaced

Paper Version

The Reading section in the paper SAT provides students with several long reading passages and a
series of 10 questions based on each passage.

The challenge: If students don’t have a good understanding of a passage, then it will affect their
ability to correctly answer the series of questions related to the one passage.
Example: New Writing and Language Questions

Writing and language questions are interspersed among reading comprehension questions.

In the early 1800s, the Cherokee scholar Sequoyah

created the first script, or writing system, for an Indigenous
language in the United States. Because it represented the
sounds of spoken Cherokee so accurately, his script was
easy to learn and thus quickly achieved ______ use: by
1830, over 90 percent of the Cherokee people could read
and write it.

1 Which choice completes the text with the most

logical and precise word or phrase?

A. widespread

B. careful

C. unintended

D. infrequent
Example: New Reading Comprehension Question Type

What’s Changing

No more long passages with multiple questions. Changed to shorter passages paired with a
single question.

Now, if students struggle with the passage, it only affects their ability to answer one question.

While researching a topic, a student has taken the The student wants to introduce
1
following notes: Cathryn Halverson’s book to an
audience already familiar with the
Atlantic Monthly. Which choice most
The Atlantic Monthly magazine was first effectively uses relevant information
published in 1857. from the notes to accomplish this
The magazine focused on politics, art, and goal?
literature.
In 2019, historian Cathryn Halverson published A. Cathryn Halverson’s Faraway
the book Faraway Women and the “Atlantic Women and the “Atlantic Monthly”
Monthly.” discusses female authors whose
Its subject is female authors whose autobiographies appeared in the
autobiographies appeared in the magazine in magazine in the early 1900s.
the early 1900s.
One of the authors discussed is Juanita B. A magazine called the Atlantic
Harrison. Monthly, referred to in Cathryn
Halverson’s book title, was first
published in 1857.

C. Faraway Women and the “Atlantic

Monthly” features contributors to the
Atlantic Monthly, first published in
1857 as a magazine focusing on
politics, art, and literature.

D. An author discussed by Cathryn

Halverson is Juanita Harrison, whose
autobiography appeared in the
Atlantic Monthly in the early 1900s.
Preparing for the New SAT
How Preparing for the SAT is Changing

Feedback from Asia, where the digital SAT has already been administered, show that students
who used digital resources were better prepared than students who relied on old SAT paper
exams. “Linear” paper exams for the new digital SAT do exist, but we advise against using them
solely to prepare without a digital assessment.

The key to preparing for standardized tests is all about practicing with the time restrictions.
Using previous College Board exams was the best way to do that. Because the test is brand new,
there are very few official digital SAT tests to practice on. We only have the four practice tests
available on Bluebook, and the score reports do not offer any insight into a student’s practice test
performance.

This has caused the entire industry to prepare its own adaptive, digital practice tests, new testing
platforms that mimic the Bluebook, new strategies, new books, etc. We already have eight digital
SAT practice tests with adaptive capabilities at our disposal.

How to Prepare for the SAT

Baseline practice test and SAT and ACT score comparison

Try both an SAT and an ACT to see which test better suits your child’s strengths. Many students in
our area do not consider the ACT and should, especially while the SAT is transitioning.
Curvebreakers provides free SAT and ACT diagnostic testing for families.

Utilize Khan Academy (free)

Khan Academy, which is partnered with College Board has instructional videos and a large
question bank. Khan provides students with lots of opportuniy for practice but lacks instruction on
test strategies necessary for this kind of difficult, timed test.

Seek additional support from SAT experts

Register for a class or private tutoring. Just be wary of companies that offer “guarantees.”

Practice makes perfect

Practice questions in a timed setting and utilize online testing tools that provide diagnostics.

3 Core Factors to Improve Your Score

1. The proper diagnosis
2. The proper study schedule and time
3. The ideal strategy
Test Preparation Options
Self-Study Take into consideration:
Option for self-motivated students who are Learning style
comfortable studying independently and seeking Time to prepare
out help Test prep budget
Check out the many free resources offered through Scores required by
College Board and ACT websites target schools
Purchase study guides online
Khan Academy covers all of your self-prep needs for
the SAT
There is also a similar ACT academy

Classes
Cost a bit more than a self-study approach
Good supplement to a self-study program
Provide general layout, language, testing strategy, and material on the exam
Content will vary, designed to target as many students as possible
School-offered classes provide students with discounted registration and convenience

Private Tutor
More expensive than other options
(Should be) Personalized test prep strategy
Schedule to keep student on track to achieve goals - helpful for today’s busy student
Focus on areas most in need of improvement
Find a good “fit” - tutor match is important
Fees & methods vary

Does The SAT (or ACT) Still Matter?

The answer to this question is evolving every prep cycle. The SAT/ACT can give you an edge when
applying to colleges, but the process has become increasingly nuanced. Curvebreakers fully
supports test optional policies at colleges.

Those that do NOT need the SAT:

You simply do not want to take it.
If you are applying to exclusively non-competitive schools (75% acceptance rates or higher)
you may not need the SAT or ACT.
You are applying to only test-blind schools.
If you struggle to perform up to standard on the SAT or ACT.

Those who may need the SAT:

Those looking for merit based aid
Applying to competitive schools
Applying to competitive programs in any school
Students Need Bluebook to Take College Board Exams
Students need to download Bluebook, College Board’s online testing application, on their devices
to take the PSAT, official SATs, and select AP exams.

Students also need to create an online College Board account if they have not done so already.
Currently, Bluebook contains four SAT practice tests. After taking a practice exam, students may
review their answers and view answer explanations.
What is diagnostic score data and how to use it to
improve scores
Diagnostic analytics go beyond offering cumulative and section scores to pinpoint specific areas
where the student performance can be improved. These insights show how the student did on
various question types, what content knowledge is lacking, and reveal any issues with timing.

Curvebreakers’ online diagnostic testing platform mimics the real, adaptive testing
environment while providing a detailed breakdown.

Features:

Realistic test environment that simulates digital testing conditions

Instant scoring and immediate performance assessment
Accessible anywhere
Detailed diagnostics include question and module difficulty and accuracy by question type.

Full Comparison of Bluebook and Curvebreakers

curvebreakerstestprep.com/vs-bluebook
What do we do for schools?
In-school SAT/ACT prep classes
Online SAT/ACT prep classes
Self-Paced SAT/ACT video courses
Online, diagnostic digital SAT testing application
Speaking engagements - college prep night, etc.
Professional development for teachers
Schools that have in-house SAT/ACT prep classes can utilize our books and platform
combined with training to execute their own long-term SAT/ACT prep.

We work with all budgets as well as student pay models.

For more information, visit the School Partnership page on Curvebreakers’ website:
https://curvebreakerstestprep.com/schools/

Book a Meeting to View Pricing and Discuss

Your School’s Needs
We will create a proposal for your team to review that includes an outline of a customized
program and sample class schedules.

Click on the link below or copy and paste it into your browser to book a meeting.
https://meetings.hubspot.com/nickthetutor/collegeprep

320 Old Country Road, Suite 102, Garden City, NY 11530

curvebreakerstestprep.com/schools
(516) 728-1561 | [email protected]