No more pencils! The SAT goes full digital.

What are the key features of this new SAT? How can we better understand the SAT and do we need to take it?

First of all - How do Colleges/Universities use the SAT?

Some actually don't and an estimated 1,900 higher education intutions are "test optional" (USNews) don't, some do but all colleges have a mix of entry requirements. Collectively understood a holistic admissions, the SAT, which is an examination based on multiple-choice criteria aims to assess one main thing. It wants to know "college readiness" and aims to predict this from (Grade 11-2 or Year 12-13) school students. It is meant to help colleges and universities make admission decisions. The SAT can be combined with school grades, recommendations from teachers/college counselors, essays and extracurricular activities records. Our advice: check you need to take it before you start revising.

Second - What will I be tested on?

Reading and Writing

The SAT Specification Overview states the following about what you will be tested on.

Craft and Structure: Measures the comprehension, vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, and reasoning skills and knowledge needed to understand and use high-utility words and phrases in context, evaluate texts rhetorically, and make connections between topically related texts.

Information and Ideas: Measures comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills and knowledge and the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, and integrate information and ideas from texts and informational graphics (tables, bar graphs, and line graphs)

Standard English Conventions: Measures the ability to edit texts to conform to core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation

Expression of Ideas: Measures the ability to revise texts to improve the effectiveness of written expression and to meet specific rhetorical goals

Mathematics

The SAT Specification Overview states the following about what you will be tested on.

Algebra: Measures the ability to analyze, fluently solve, and create linear equations and inequalities as well as analyze and fluently solve equations and systems of equations using multiple techniques

Advanced Math: Measures skills and knowledge central for progression to more advanced math courses, including demonstrating an understanding of absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical, and other nonlinear equations

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis: Measures the ability to apply quantitative reasoning about ratios, rates, and proportional relationships; understand and apply unit rate; and analyze and interpret one- and two-variable data

Geometry and Trigonometry (SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10)/Geometry (PSAT 8/9): Measures the ability to solve problems that focus on area and volume; angles, triangles, and trigonometry; and circles (NOTE: PSAT 8/9 doesn’t include trigonometry questions.)

Third - Will I be able to practice before I take the SAT.

There are so many great places to start learning more about and practice the SAT. We recommend you get expert advice (ask us if you need help). We also advice using Kahn Academy as the site offers a real user experience that mimics the SAT questions and gives students an online platform that is free! Check out our link below (click the picture).

Last point - Sal Khan sums it up!

"You aren't your ACT or SAT score, you are more than that," Sal Khan says "I think if you talk to any college admissions counselor, they would also agree with that. (But) in a world where every school has different grading systems ... a test like the SAT at least gives a consistent signal for readiness to do college-level work." (Link)