18 Schooley’s Mountain Rd.
Long Valley, NJ
www.HomeworkHelpersTutoring.com
908-876-1776
New Year. New SAT.
Learn about the Changes and How We’re Adapting to Serve Students
By Josh Goodkin & Celia Turello
Your goals for 2024 aren’t the only things that are changing. The SAT, a household name for nearly a century (first launched in 1926!), is undergoing a makeover with the goal of re-establishing itself as a relevant tool in the college admission process. Further, College Board, the creator of the test, has also cited a need to realign with national education standards and a growing reliance on technology for the shift, which impacts students beginning in March of this year.
While the departure from its traditional format has left parents and students searching for information, many students seem to be embracing the shift. A recent study revealed that 80% of students found it less stressful to take the test in a digital format than with paper and pencil.
With less than two months before the first national test, we have been busy fielding calls and questions from parents curious about the upcoming changes.
Here are some key changes students and parents should be aware of about the Digital SAT:
- Students are still required to take the test at a testing center, which will be overseen by proctors.
- Students will be able to take the test on the College Board’s digital app, Bluebook, either on their own laptop or tablet or on a computer issued by the testing center.
- The new SAT is now 2 hours, a whopping 1 hour shorter than the previous paper and pencil test!
- Graphing calculators are now allowed throughout the entirety of the math portion of the test, and if students do not have one, one will be provided for them on the test-taking software.
- The SAT is tailored to test students on national benchmarks, which include: Reading comprehension, Standard Conventional English, Algebra I & II, Geometry, and Trigonometry. These are tested in 2 sections, known as Reading and Writing and Math.
- The digital SAT uses an algorithm to score the sections of the test. The first modules in both the Reading and Writing section and Math section will be scored, and then prompt students to either an easier or more difficult second module. Those who are directed to the harder module will be given questions that, when answered correctly, will hold more weight.
- The SAT will still function on a 1,600-point scale; each section (Reading and Writing, Math) will be out of 800. Your composite score is determined by the sum of your Reading and Writing and Math scores.
- Students will be able to receive their scores in a matter of days, which is way shorter than the previous two-week waiting period!
Now that you’re aware of these changes, let’s turn your attention to who we are and how we can help!
Homework Helpers Tutoring, a top-rated boutique tutoring company located in Long Valley, has been serving the educational needs of students of all ages for nearly 13 years! Our inviting center, charismatic tutors, and tailored approach have earned us a reputation as the premier test preparation company in Morris County, helping thousands of students earn higher scores and entrance to their top colleges.
Our test preparation program is customized and usually begins with students sitting for both diagnostic SAT and ACTs to determine the best choice for each student. Our team will then help students and their families create a tailored plan: test selection, creating a target score, and developing a tutoring schedule that takes into account busy schedules. With over 40 tutors on staff, and being open 7 days a week, we promise to find the ideal tutor(s) for each student. We prioritize making the process convenient and stress-free!
Please give us a call to learn more about our services and to set up a complimentary consultation. Visit our website at Homeworkhelperstutoring.com and while you’re at it, take a peek at our social media to catch a glimpse of all the happy students and moments we are proud to share.
A higher score is within reach in 2024!