How To Study for the Digital SAT

The following article was written so for students who want an answer to the pressing question of how to study for the digital SAT.

In order to do well on the digital SAT, students need make sure that they are familiar with the content changes and change their studying plans accordingly.

Students can find an overview of the new aspects of the SAT on the College Board website.

How To Study for Digital SAT | Get Familiar with the Format

Studying for the digital SAT effectively starts with getting thoroughly familiar with its format. Understanding the structure and types of questions you’ll encounter is crucial for your preparation. The digital SAT consists of two main sections: Reading and Writing, and Math, each divided into two modules. The test is adaptive, meaning the difficulty of the questions in the second module of each section depends on your performance in the first module. Familiarizing yourself with this adaptive nature will help you develop strategies for handling the varying difficulty levels of the questions. Additionally, knowing the specific timing for each section and the types of questions—such as multiple-choice and student-produced responses—can help you manage your time efficiently and reduce anxiety on test day.

To get comfortable with the digital SAT format, utilize official resources provided by the College Board, including practice tests and sample questions that mirror the actual exam. These resources will help you understand the interface, navigation, and tools available, such as the built-in graphing calculator based on Desmos software. Regularly practicing with these tools will ensure you are adept at using them during the test. It’s also beneficial to simulate real test conditions by taking timed practice tests, which will help you build stamina and get used to the pacing of the digital SAT. By becoming thoroughly acquainted with the test format, you can approach the digital SAT with confidence, knowing what to expect and how to handle each section effectively.

Practice with a Graphing Calculator

Improving your SAT score significantly hinges on mastering the tools provided in the test, particularly the built-in graphing calculator available in the Math section of the digital SAT. Familiarizing yourself with this calculator, based on Desmos software, can give you a substantial advantage. Begin by exploring all its functions and capabilities, such as graphing equations, solving algebraic problems, and analyzing data sets. Incorporate the use of this calculator into your daily practice sessions to become comfortable and efficient in using it. Practicing with the graphing calculator will help you solve complex problems more quickly and accurately, allowing you to focus on answering questions correctly rather than struggling with manual calculations.

Reading Comprehension: How to Approach Reading Comp on the Digital SAT?

The Reading Comprehension section of the digital SAT is designed to assess your ability to understand and analyze written passages. Unlike the traditional SAT, where passages could be up to 750 words long, the digital SAT features shorter passages, typically around 150 words each, with one question per passage. These passages cover a range of subjects, including literature, historical documents, social sciences, and natural sciences. To effectively approach this section, it’s crucial to develop strong reading skills and become adept at quickly identifying the main ideas, themes, and key details of each passage. Practice skimming passages for overall understanding while noting important points, which will help you answer questions more efficiently.

When preparing for the Reading Comprehension section, focus on practicing with a variety of passage types to build versatility in your reading skills. Work on summarizing passages in your own words to ensure comprehension and retention of key information. Additionally, practice answering questions that require you to interpret vocabulary in context, analyze arguments, and understand the author's purpose and tone. Familiarize yourself with common question types and develop strategies for each, such as eliminating obviously incorrect answers to increase your chances of selecting the correct one. By honing these skills and becoming comfortable with the format of the digital SAT, you can approach the Reading Comprehension section with confidence and improve your overall performance.

How to prepare for the DIGITAL SAT | materials and test prep books

Prepare with the official practice exams released by the College Board. You will also benefit from using past versions of the SAT test to get practice in the areas of the test that are remaining the same.

When to start studying | timing

Every student is different and the time spent studying will depend on your goals and your starting point. In an ideal situation, we suggest starting test prep in junior year and then using senior year as insurance year if you did not get the scores you wanted. We also recommend working for about four-six months overall before taking the test. However, because there is not a "one size fits all approach", this may be too long or too short for some students.  Two months could be more than enough if you are already close to your target score or could be too little if you need to shore up on fundamentals and want a 300 point plus improvement.

SAT TEST PREP | ARE YOU CONSIDERING SAT TEST PREP?

Preparation for the digital SAT does not have to be daunting and exasperating; instead, it can represent an important opportunity along a student’s path to learning mastery. Indeed, the perspectives and abilities acquired during preparation can be transformative and last a lifetime.

Our two-track approach to mastering content and improving test-taking skills means that students will not only thoroughly understand the fundamental concepts and skills tested by the SAT, but they will also excel in using essential techniques to improve attitude, endurance and focus. Our students hone their independent thinking skills while developing a resilient mindset so they can perform on test day in a powerful, resourceful, creative and calm manner. Each student in our program receives the undivided attention and expertise of a dynamic and experienced coach who provides the framework to support each student on his unique path to becoming a master learner.

Please call 917.287.7927 now for a complimentary consultation to discuss how Origins Tutoring can help your child achieve his or her personal best on the SAT.