SAT NEW Format 2023 Review (Scholastic Assessment Test)

SAT also known as Scholastic Assessment Test is a multiple-choice test taken to evaluate a candidate’s readiness for university-level education. The essence of the SAT exam is to confirm if the test taker is ready for the university learning environment. It is further structured and designed to analyze an individual’s written, verbal and mathematical skills. It will be of immense advantage if you are able to secure a high Score in the SAT Test. Additionally, strong scores is viewed to demonstrate a candidate’s cognitive talents and college preparation outside their school studies and internships.

It is evident therefore, that most tertiary institutions in popular study-abroad countries, like the US, Canada and others requires students to submit SAT scores for undergraduate courses especially with a view to securing scholarships in such schools.

Types of SAT Exams

There are basically two types of SAT as follows;

• SAT 1: This is a general test that assesses candidates’ verbal, writing, and mathematical abilities. Most Colleges accept this type of SAT and it is enough, this means no need to write the second one.
• SAT 2: It is a subject-specific test which is suitable for students who want to demonstrate his/her proficiency in a specific subject.

Methods of Writing SAT

As at October 2022, the SAT exam was purely pen-and paper based, how from March 2023 it was upgraded to Digital SAT. This means you will need to go to the center on the exam day with your PC and ensure the Blue Book is installed into it before the exam day.

As it stands today, SAT is solely digital and not only that you will have to provide your device to write the exam.

DIGITAL SAT (PSAT)

This is the newest (2023) format for writing the SAT test, the students need to download a digital testing app called Blue Book before the test day and install it. This testing app should save the students’ progress even if their computer crashes or they lose their internet connection.

The SAT Exam will be held for two hours instead of three. Instead of four, there will now be only 2 sections as follows;

1. A reading and writing section
2. A Math section; unlike the previous format, this digital SAT allows you to use calculator through out the test. This is because a graphic calculator is built into the App.

The reading section will have shorter passages, and students must answer one question per the SAT reading passage

Faster Scores Delivery

The SAT scores will be released and available days after the exam as against the usual weeks. This means, you won’t have to wait weeks or months to obtain the SAT exam result report thereby allowing you to apply faster for your admission.

SAT Scoring

The SAT scores will be calculated out of 1600. Reading & Writing will be 800 points, Maths will be 800 points resulting in 1600 marks. Importantly, the results of the new SAT will still be regarded as equal to those of the ACT and the present paper-based test. SAT score above 1500 is consider as excellent. The top universities in Canada and the US of A hold candidates to high standards and usually expect an SAT score above 1400. However, these countries have universities that accept scores in the range of 1000-1200.

Take note of the following;

Any score above 1350 is considered a good score, and a score in the range of 1000-1100 is considered average. Universities such as Washington State University, Eastern Mennonite University, and University of Colorado Denver accept SAT scores between 1000-1100.