SAT: Test Day and What Comes Next
What to Expect on Test Day
After countless hours of studying and practice tests, the big day is here. Though the environment of the actual SAT will be different, we hope you are not completely in the dark about what to expect. At Aegis Advisors, we are committed to keeping our students up to date about the SAT’s curriculum and structure. We have put together a list of some things to keep in mind:
- The SAT is completely digital
You will take the exam through the Bluebook application. You must have the app already installed on your device 1-5 days before test day so that it can pass the requirements check. In-depth overviews of the permitted/prohibited devices and the resources included on the Bluebook platform are available on the official College Board website.
- You must be on site throughout the entire duration of the exam
Although the SAT is all digital, you must be present in the designated testing room in order to complete it. Doors open at 7:45 a.m. and the test begins between 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.; if you haven’t set up your device properly before test day, you will be required to arrive even earlier so make sure to get your device prepared pre-emptively. The test will take approximately 3 hours, meaning you should be able to leave the test center by noon.
- The digital SAT is adaptive
By now, you should be well aware that the SAT is broken into two sections, Math and Reading & Writing, which are further broken into two equal-length modules. The good thing about the digital format is that the second module of each section will reflect the same level of difficulty of the first section, meaning that the SAT is more fine-tuned for the individual student than ever before. In other words, if you do very well on the first module, the second module will contain more challenging questions. For tips on how to do better on the first module to ensure a higher overall score, see our blog about how to boost your SAT score.
Test-Taking Strategies
Just as there’s no one way to study, there’s no one way to take a test. However, there are some actions you can remember to optimize your performance. We’ve gathered some of the tips and strategies that we believe are the most important for success:
- Keep a steady pace
Timing is everything on the SAT. You don’t want to rush through the exam and make negligent mistakes, but taking too much time on one question will prevent you from finishing everything.
- Don’t overthink
Sometimes, the answer is more apparent than you think. Try not to waste valuable time second-guessing a question that has already been answered and verified.
- Read all questions and answers carefully
Never forget to read through the question and all the answer choices. The most careless mistakes are made when the question is misunderstood and you jump to conclusions.
- Use process of elimination
The best thing to do when the answer is unclear is to eliminate all the choices that are evidently wrong and whittle the options down. In the end, it’s better to make an educated guess than to leave a question blank. As most of the SAT is multiple choice, this strategy is extremely effective.
- Double check your answers
Try to verify all of your answers at least once, but do keep the time constraints in mind. Double checking your work can often elucidate silly mistakes such as missed numbers or misread text.
- Stay relaxed and motivated
You should go into the test feeling prepared and confident that you will succeed. If there are hard problems, don’t let yourself be defeated and repeat the processes taken during your preparations.
How is the SAT scored?
SAT scores range from 400 to 1600, with each section having a maximum score of 800 points. You might have wondered at some point how these scores are calculated from the 98 questions that make up the two sections. What we know is that a student’s score reflects a multitude of things, not just the number of questions that were answered correctly. The scoring model also takes into account the difficulty level of the question and the likelihood that students were guessing based on unusual answer patterns. This means that two students who have the same raw score may earn different final scores based on which questions they answered correctly. Rest assured that all students are given an equal opportunity, with questions spanning across the same type of content and knowledge.
What’s a good score?
Despite the fact that students may encounter different test content based on their performance in the first modules, College Board makes it clear that all students have the opportunity to meet their College and Career Readiness Benchmark. To meet this standard, students must score at least a 480 on Reading and Writing, and at least a 530 on Math.
Are there any differences in scoring from the paper SAT?
Though the adaptive testing model creates some differences in scoring methodology between the paper and digital SAT, the criteria by which students are evaluated remains the same.
Conclusion
You’re almost done. Expect to receive your SAT score 2-4 weeks after your test date. In the meantime, get ahead of your preparations with a dedicated tutor and contact us at Aegis Advisors today!