2024 SAT® Report: Digital Testing Drives Participation Growth, Quality Test Prep Essential
The SAT® Suite Annual Report, released last week, highlights a significant surge in SAT® participation following the transition to all-digital testing, signaling continued growth in the number of SAT® takers. This latest data reinforces last year’s findings, which had already shown a steady upward trend in participation. In short: more great news for the world of SAT® prep!
Here’s the meat and potatoes of the 2024 SAT® Suite of Assessments Annual Report:
Increased SAT® Participation: Over 1.97 million students in the class of 2024 took the SAT® at least once—up from 1.91 million in 2023. Participation is now approaching pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating the ongoing value of the SAT®.
Record SAT® School Day Participation: SAT® School Day, where students take the test during school hours, saw its highest-ever participation, with 68% of SAT® takers (about 1.35 million students) utilizing this option. This program has been particularly beneficial for low-income and underrepresented students.
Digital Transition: The SAT® Suite, including the PSAT® and SAT®, fully transitioned to digital testing in the 2023-24 school year. Feedback from both students and educators shows an overwhelming preference for the digital format due to the shorter, more efficient testing process.
Decline in SAT® Scores: The average SAT® score for the class of 2024 dropped slightly to 1024, continuing a post-pandemic trend. Only 39% of test takers met college readiness benchmarks in reading/writing and math—a major sign that students need quality test prep now more than ever.
PSAT Participation: Around 3.65 million students took the digital PSAT/NMSQT® or PSAT™ 10, with similar levels of participation as in previous years. The PSAT® remains crucial for National Merit Scholarship qualification and connecting students to college resources as well as an ideal launching point for SAT® prep.
Reinstatement of Test Requirements: Many colleges have reinstated SAT® score requirements after adopting test-optional policies during the pandemic. This trend continues to rise as more schools return to score requirements for admissions. Colleges and universities know that the SAT® is a reliable tool for identifying students' college readiness, particularly among underrepresented groups, and provides an additional predictive value beyond GPA
The Importance of Quality Test Prep
As SAT® participation grows, so does the need for high-quality test prep to help students maximize their potential. With average scores dipping, it’s clear that students could benefit from additional support to meet college readiness benchmarks. The shift to digital testing means students must adapt to a new format, which can present opportunities and challenges. This is where targeted, effective test prep like Clear Choice becomes invaluable.
A solid test-prep program doesn’t just teach test-taking strategies—it builds foundational reading, writing, and math skills that align with what the SAT® is measuring. Quality prep can help students gain the confidence and skills they need to raise their scores, opening the door to more college and scholarship opportunities. For low-income and underrepresented students, especially those taking the SAT® on a school day, test prep can be the key to leveling the playing field and achieving the scores needed to compete for college admission and financial aid.
Ready to offer your students a personalized test prep plan that truly meets their needs? Clear Choice provides the tools and materials to create fully customized, white-label programs that align with your brand. These programs can be tailored to fit each student's unique learning style, ensuring they get the targeted support necessary to raise their SAT® scores and reach their full potential.
Marketing quality test prep is about connecting with your clients where they are and understanding their unique needs. With students now taking the SAT® digitally, it's crucial to offer resources that are both comprehensive and adaptable to the new test format. Online courses, practice tests, and personalized coaching are all tools that can help your students excel in digital test-taking. The goal is to ensure your clients are fully prepared, reducing test-day anxiety and boosting their test-day performance.
Final Thoughts
The rise in SAT® participation and the successful transition to digital tests represent a new era for standardized testing. However, the slight drop in average scores underscores the importance of quality test prep as students navigate this changing landscape.
As more colleges reinstate test score requirements, the SAT® remains a critical component of the admissions process—especially for those looking to stand out and secure scholarships. In this environment, effective test prep is no longer optional—it’s essential. Now is the time to invest in the resources that can help your clients and your test-prep business succeed!
Step into the Digital Age of SAT® Prep!
The SAT® has made the switch to all-digital testing—and so has Clear Choice Prep!
We’re ready to equip your tutoring business with top-tier, fully digital test-prep courses. Our white-label, all-digital, adaptive Digital SAT® practice tests come with accurate, algorithmic scoring, granting your tutors and students access to the vital data required for custom instruction and score enhancement.
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