College Exploration

TEST OPTIONAL, TEST BLIND, TEST FLEXIBLE: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

The digital SAT Suite uses multistage adaptive testing (MST). Relying on MST means the digital SAT Suite fairly and accurately measures the same things with a shorter, more highly secure test while preserving test reliability.

Each assessment in the digital SAT Suite has two sections: the Reading and Writing section and the Math section. In every assessment in the SAT Suite, including the SAT, students have 64 minutes to complete the Reading and Writing section and 70 minutes to complete the Math section. Each Reading and Writing module lasts 32 minutes, while each Math module lasts 35 minutes. When students complete the Reading and Writing section, they are moved to the Math section after a 10-minute break between the sections.

Total testing time for the digital SAT Suite is 2 hours and 14 minutes for each assessment (SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9).

Testing Modules

Both the Reading and Writing and the Math sections are divided into two equal-length and separately timed stages, each composed of a module of questions. Students can move backward and forward among questions in each module before time runs out. When time runs out on the first module of each section, the test delivery platform moves students to the second module. The first module contains a broad mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. Based on how students perform on the first module, the second module of questions will either be more difficult or less difficult.

The SAT is an opportunity for students to show colleges they're ready to succeed on campus. Most students take the SAT for the first time during the spring of their junior year and a second time during the fall of their senior year.

Reasons to take the ACT test

ACT.org

CollegeBoard.org (SAT)

Test-Optional List of Colleges

Test prep is a personal choice and it depends on your learning preferences and style.

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• ACT

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