The Digital SAT is rolling out for all test-takers in March 2024, and the ACT offered their own digital test in a few locations on December 9th. Big changes are happening in college entrance exams, which means the factors to consider when choosing which test to take are also changing.
But Higher Scores has got you covered! We've gathered all of the critical details for you to make the most informed pros and cons list going into 2024:
(Updated) SAT Essentials -
Exclusively digital starting March 9, 2024
One question per passage
More than 1 minute per question and overall a shorter test
Two math sections with mostly algebra
Two combined reading and grammar sections, with poetry analysis
(Updated) ACT Essentials -
Digital testing is currently an option in a few select locations but has many more customizability features (more on this below!)
Multiple questions per passage
Less than 1 minute per question on most sections
One math section with equal algebra and geometry
Includes a "science" section that requires very little science knowledge (more like a second reading section with graphs)
You might prefer the SAT if you like -
Exclusively digital experience and tools, including flagging questions to review at the end and highlighting text
Smaller reading sections
Using a familiar device
Less geometry, more algebra
Math over reading or grammar
Shorter overall testing time
You might prefer the ACT if you like -
Writing out problems, taking notes, and underlining passages
Highly adaptable formatting to suit all accessibility needs
More control and flexibility over score performance
Longer passages for more context on how to answer questions
Reading and grammar over math
More detailed score reports
Diving Deeper:
But what exactly is an adaptive test, and how does it work? How are the two digital tests different from each other? Here is a closer look at the biggest changes coming to each test type.
How does the Digital SAT Adaptive Test Work?
College Board uses an algorithm that generates a unique combination of questions for each student. The system then applies a calculation method that gives a slightly different "weight" or value to each question depending on its difficulty to compensate for the test variation among students.
There are two rounds of each subject (math and language arts), and depending on each student's performance in the first round, they are given an easier or harder version in the second round. Each student receives a slightly different version of the test, even if they all receive the "easy" or "hard" versions, which helps prevent cheating and allows for more flexibility in pacing.
The goal of this is to allow lower-performing students to get more questions correct and thus get a higher score than they might have with harder questions. So far, we have seen a flatter distribution of scores, meaning more students are scoring very high and very low, unlike previous test versions, where most students scored somewhere in the middle.
Students should utilize all of their time on the first round of each section to increase accuracy if they want to ensure they get the harder version of the test in the second round.
How is the Digital ACT different?
The Digital ACT is not a complete redesign of the content of the test in the way that the Digital SAT is. The concepts covered and the order of subjects are the same, as is the amount of time per section and per question. Students will find the Digital ACT very familiar, but with a few added digital tools that can help English learners, students with disabilities, or students who prefer a customizable digital platform to make the test accessible for everyone.
Many of the features in the Digital ACT are similar to those in the Digital SAT, with several additions that accommodate a wider variety of needs:
Same as the SAT:
Marking an item for review
Highlighting Text
Annotations
Indication of time remaining
Online calculator
Unique to the ACT:
Magnification
Different background or color contrast options
Line reader, too (similar to a straight edge used in paper testing)
Answer-masking or custom masking to prevent distractions
What Next?
As these tests continue to adapt, we will adapt with them, so we are rebuilding our entire PSAT/SAT program into a fully digital platform (release aimed for June 2024, just in time for summer test prep!). In the meantime, our ACT 5.0 will be available on January 1, 2024, for a self-guided and customizable test prep experience that allows students to go at their own pace and receive extra help on specific topics or problem areas as needed.
In the meantime, if you are still unsure about what to do next - how to prepare college lists or application timelines or whether or not to submit scores to "test-optional" schools? - set an (in-person or virtual) consultation appointment with one of our expert college counselors at March Consulting today!