The Digital SAT, or DSAT, is the new format of the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) that was introduced in 2023 for international students and in 2024 for U.S. students. This computer-adaptive test is designed to assess college readiness. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the DSAT structure:
The Digital SAT, or DSAT, is the new format of the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) that was introduced in 2023 for international students and in 2024 for U.S. students. This computer-adaptive test is designed to assess college readiness. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the DSAT structure:
1. Reading and Writing Section:
● 54 questions to be completed in 64 minutes
● Divided into two equal modules of 27 questions each (includes two pre-test or experimental questions in each module)
● Each module is 32 minutes long
● Questions are based on short passages (25-150 words)
● Topics include literature, social studies, and science
● Tests comprehension, rhetoric, and English language skills
10 Minutes Break
2. Math Section:
● 44 questions to be completed in 70 minutes
● Divided into two equal modules of 22 questions each (includes two pre-test or experimental questions in each module)
● Each module is 35 minutes long
● Covers algebra, advanced math, problem-solving, data analysis, and geometry
● Unlike old SAT, DSAT allows usage of calculator for all the questions
1. Information and Ideas
● Central Ideas and Details
● Command of Evidence Textual
● Command of Evidence Quantitative
● Inferences
2. Craft and Structure
● Text structure and purpose
● Cross-text connections
● Words in Context
1. Expression of Ideas
● Transitions
● Rhetorical Synthesis
2. Standard English Conventions Form, Structure, and Sense
● Subject-verb agreement
● Pronoun-antecedent agreement
● Verb forms
● Subject-modifier placement
● Plural and possessive nouns
Boundaries
● Linking clauses
● Supplements
● Punctuation
● Literature
● Social Studies
● Science
● Career-related contexts
1. Assesses readiness for college and future careers.
2. Tests essential skills for higher education and beyond.
Passage Topics: Includes literature, social studies, science, and career-related subjects.
Tasks
● Understand main ideas.
● Identify important details.
● Analyze connections between different parts of the text.
Skill Tested: Ability to comprehend, understand, and analyze text.
1. Focus Areas
● Subject-verb agreement.
● Correct use of pronouns.
● Proper verb forms.
● Modifier placement.
● Punctuation.
Importance: Ensures clear and effective communication in writing.
Tasks
● Understand how writers use language to make their points.
● Compare ideas from different texts.
● Interpret graphs and charts related to passages.
● Skill Tested: Synthesis of information and critical analysis.
Multiple-choice
5. Time Management:
● Order of Questions: Tackle problems in the given order.
● Accuracy Over Speed: It’s better to answer fewer questions correctly than to rush.
6. Calculator Use:
● Options: Bring a calculator or use the integrated DESMOS calculator.
● Desmos: Can copy and paste equations, but still requires math skills for complex problems.
7. Test Strategy:
● Practice: Regular mock tests improve time management.
●Thinking Like a Test Writer: Train to approach problems as the test creators would.
8. Overall Approach:
● Learnable Test: Requires hard work and analytical thinking.
●Mastering the Test:Not about tricks but about understanding and practice.
The Math sections include two types of questions: Multiple-choice questions with four options and Student produced response questions (SPR) which may have more than one correct answer. They are designed to test your ability to solve problems, not to test your mathematical knowledge. Although, you do need to reinforce the foundational math and apply those concepts on questions that are most closely related to successfully pursuing college study and career training.
The mathematical skills tested on the SAT are basic: only first year algebra, geometry (no proofs), and a few basic concepts from second year algebra. However, this does not mean that the math section is easy. The medium of basic mathematics is chosen so that everyone taking the test will be on a fairly even playing field. This way students who are concentrating in math and science don’t have an undue advantage over students who are concentrating in English and humanities. Although the questions require only basic mathematics and all have simple solutions, it can require considerable ingenuity to find the simple solution.
As mentioned above, every SAT math problem has a simple solution, but finding that simple solution may not be easy. The intent of the math section is to test how skilled you are at finding the simple solutions. The premise is that if you spend a lot of time working out long solutions you will not finish as much of the test as students who spot the short, simple solutions. So, if you find yourself performing long calculations or applying advanced mathematics—stop. You’re heading in the wrong direction. Tackle the math problems in the order given, and don’t worry if you fail to reach the last few questions. It’s better to work accurately than quickly. By sufficient practice of mocks, you will achieve time management.
You may bring a calculator to the test, but you could also use the DESMOS scientific and graphing calculator integrated into the test environment. Students can copy and paste equations and values into the calculator, minimizing user error. However, it’s essential to remember that while Desmos is a powerful tool, it’s not a magic wand. Many problems still require math skills that calculators can’t handle (yet). Plus, the College Board is known for creating complex questions that will test students’ cognitive thinking skills.
Although the SAT is a difficult test, it is a very learnable test. This is not to say that the SAT is “beatable.” There is no bag of tricks that will show you how to master it overnight. The SAT cannot be “beaten.” But it can be mastered—through hard work, analytical thought, and by training yourself to think like a test writer. UWEZO classes and content are designed to prompt you to think like a Digital SAT test writer and achieve higher than your target score.
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