The SAT is going Digital

Aahhggg!  The SAT!!!!

More well-known than any other component of the university application, particularly for applications to North America, is the SAT.

From its origin, the SAT is aimed at determining a student’s readiness for the rigor of academics at the university level.  Used in conjunction with the transcript and other exam results, the SAT represents, for the university, a common denominator that assists them in making good decisions about a student's academic match with their institution.  However, it must be quickly noted that it is not the most important academic factor.  This honor goes to the transcript.  This is because the transcript paints a picture, over time, of a student's academic strengths and weaknesses, highs and lows, as well as the extent to which they have challenged themselves.  Consequently, with the COVID pandemic, it comes as no real surprise that the transcript remains the only required academic document in the application process with the SATs becoming “optional”.

In Trinidad and Tobago, there are at least five different locations (centres) where a student can take the SATs and as of April this year 2022, most, if not all, of these centres have reopened.  As such students do have the opportunity to take the SAT locally if they so choose.  There are no limits on how many times a student can take this test, and it is offered outside of the US six times per academic year.  There are ample opportunities available to students and time should be spent early, maybe in the later part of grade 10 (form 4) to create a plan for the SATs if a student is considering pursuing tertiary education in the US.

Naturally, this plan would include appropriate preparation.  At this juncture, it is important to stress that the academic skills necessary for the SAT are skills that are being, and have been developed as part of the normal secondary school curriculum.  As such, the real focus of SAT preparation is to consolidate the academic knowledge and skills already learned and to develop test-taking strategies and skills specific to the SAT.

As of March 2023, there will be an evolution in the SAT as it will become a purely digital exam, administered at one of the test centres, but done on the students’ own devices (tablets or laptops).  This digital version will be shorter in length with less time needed for administrative instructions and no time needed for the distribution and collection of booklets and answer sheets.  With fewer items to ship and secure, test security will be enhanced.  

At present, the College Board is conducting Pilot SAT exams around the world and the International School of Port of Spain has been selected for one of these pilot exams.  This will be administered in the upcoming weeks and we wait to hear from the participating students, what the experience is like.

However, I would like to end, where I began.  The SAT is a test used in conjunction with other academic documents to determine a student’s readiness for university as well as suitability for certain schools.  However, it is the student’s transcript, a record of performance over time and across differing assessment strategies, that remains the most important document.  So, while the SAT is often seen as the determining factor for admissions, it is not.  It does have its place but consistent hard work in school (and other activities) over time should always be the main focus. 

Louis Moore
College Guidance & High School Counselor