Want a Sneak Peek at the New Digital SAT®? Check Out the Digital PSAT®
The test-prep community is abuzz in anticipation and preparation for the new digital SAT® set to launch nationwide in March 2024. Test prep and tutoring businesses have been busy adjusting and modifying study plans and practices to help support students as we adapt our offerings in preparation for the new digital SAT®.
The College Board has provided sample tests (through Bluebook™) for us to preview what’s to come on the digital SAT®, but amidst all the new digital SAT® buzz, did you forget that College Board is also launching the Digital PSAT® 8/9 and PSAT/NMSQT® as soon as October 2023? If you want a sneak peek at what the future of the digital SAT® looks like, you should definitely check out the digital PSAT®!
Digital PSAT® Overview
The digital PSAT® is designed for students in grades 8 and 9 and serves as a precursor to the SAT®, providing students with an early opportunity to gauge their readiness for college admissions tests. This digital version of the PSAT® is part of the College Board's efforts to modernize their testing platforms and offer a more flexible and accessible testing experience.
There are many benefits to using the PSAT® as a launching point for SAT® prep, and now, with the PSAT® test in digital format, utilizing the digital PSAT® in preparation for the digital SAT® is a great way for students to get ready for the digital SAT® come spring.
Here are the key features of the digital PSAT®:
Online Format: Unlike the traditional paper-and-pencil PSAT®, the digital PSAT® is administered entirely online. This change aligns with the College Board's broader initiative to transition many of their assessments to a digital format, e.g., the digital SAT®.
Duration: The digital PSAT® takes just over two hours to complete—comparable to the length of the digital SAT®.
Adaptive-Testing Format: Each section of the test is divided into two modules. After completing the first module of a test section, the second module’s difficulty will adapt to the student’s performance—just like the digital SAT®—with a break between each section.
Interactive Tools: The digital format offers features like highlighting, annotating, flags to mark for review, a math reference sheet, and on-screen calculators, which can help students better navigate and solve questions—great practice in preparation for the digital SAT®’s interactive toolset.
Accessibility: The College Board has made efforts to ensure that the digital PSAT® is accessible to all students, including those with learning differences. Accommodations such as screen readers and magnification tools are available for students who require them.
Immediate Results: Perhaps one of the most significant advantages of the digital PSAT® is the quick turnaround time for scores. Students receive their results within days through the BigFuture School mobile app, providing valuable insights into their strengths and areas for improvement. Utilizing these results as a guide in outlining their SAT® study plans is essential to a tailor-made test-prep plan.
College Board's digital PSAT® can help better prepare your students for the next generation of standardized testing. By prepping and practicing using digital format, you can help your students transition from paper and pencil to computer seamlessly and ensure they are well-prepared for the digital SAT® in the spring.
Want An Even Better Sneak Preview?
You can get an even better preview of the upcoming digital SAT® with Clear Choice Prep’s fully digital, adaptive SAT® test prep with full-length practice tests; accurate, algorithmic scoring; custom-branded score reports; and more. Is your test-prep business ready for the next generation of digital test prep? We can help give your tutors and clients access to the actionable data they need for tailored instruction and score optimization.
Are you ready to take your test prep to the cutting edge? Schedule a free demo and try it for yourself!
