SAT

The SAT will be transitioning to the digital SAT at international test centers in March of 2023 and at U.S. schools and test centers in spring of 2024. You can get a head start on learning more HERE.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The SAT will be transitioning to the digital SAT at international test centers in March of 2023 and at U.S. schools and test centers in spring of 2024. You can get a head start on learning more HERE.

KEY POINTS

  • Four key points from the College Board:
  • There are FOUR parts: Reading, Writing & Language, Math and an optional essay
  • 400-1600 score scale
  • 3 hours and 50 minutes with the SAT essay (or 3 hours without it)
  • 4 answer choices
  • 4 application fee waivers available for every student who qualifies for an SAT fee waiver

RESOURCES

  • (Added 11/12/24, IDOE Update):  Register for Upcoming College Board Training Opportunities – School staff involved in PSAT and SAT School Day testing can register for College Board training opportunities to support test administration and post-testing data use. In-person workshops to support PSAT data use and to prepare School Test Coordinators (STCs) for the SAT School Day will be held from Friday, November 15, through Tuesday, December 10. PSAT workshops will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. local time. SAT workshops will be held from 12:30 to 3 p.m. local time. Register for the sessions:

    Virtual options are available for those unable to attend in-person.

    Contact College Board with any questions.

  • (Added 10/1/24, IDOE Update):  SCHOOLHOUSE: SAT Bootcamp & College Admissions Workshops:  Students are invited to sign up for two virtual, free programs from Schoolhouse to help students prepare for SAT testing and support students throughout the college admissions process. View the fall 2024 programs calendar and the Share Schoolhouse Toolkit for an overview of the programs and links to sign up! Contact Schoolhouse program manager Cassy with additional questions.
  • (Added 9/2/24, IDOE Update):  SCHOOLHOUSE: Free SAT Bootcamps and Other College Access Resources – Schoolhouse has officially opened registration for a free SAT Bootcamp for the Saturday, October 5, SAT. Students can sign up now through Wednesday, September 4. Students participating in the four-week SAT Bootcamp receive guidance from a peer tutor familiar with the SAT and has a verified score in the 95th percentile. On average, participants increase their SAT scores by 40 to 55 points. Create a free account to sign up. New college admissions workshops run by trained college student tutors are 100% free and will run throughout the fall, covering topics like essay writing and completing college applications.
  • (Added 12/12/23, IDOE Update): SAT Indiana Academic Standards Priorities: New resources highlighting the streamlined Indiana Academic Standards (IAS) for English/Language Arts and Mathematics that are most strongly represented on the SAT School Day test blueprint are now available in the Indiana Learning Lab. Educators may use these resources to help with curriculum planning and pacing and to better understand how the streamlined IAS will be assessed through the SAT. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with questions regarding the SAT and Office of Teaching and Learning with questions regarding IAS.
  • (IDOE Update, September 29, 2023): Access New SAT College Board Resources – IDOE and College Board have provided several updated resources to assist schools with the 2023-2024 SAT Suite of Assessments.

    Access these resources and more via College Board’s Indiana Resources Google Drive. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment or College Board with additional questions.

  • (IDOE Update, May 19, 2023):SAT School Day Results: High school educators and administrators with students who participated in the SAT School Day can now access results via the K-12 Reporting Portal. Instructions for obtaining Educator Score Reports can be found here. Contact your corporation’s data admissions manager if you are unable to access this reporting. Contact College Board with additional questions. 

  • Free SAT Prep Available for November and December Testers

    Schoolhouse.world, from the founder of Khan Academy, is offering free online tutoring for students who are taking the SAT in November and December. Please make your students aware of this unique opportunity to prepare for the SAT this fall.

    • What are the SAT Bootcamps? The Schoolhouse SAT Bootcamps are a four-week long tutoring series and research study to help students prepare for the upcoming SAT. Sessions take place twice a week (75 minutes per session) and students have the flexibility to select the dates & times that best fit their schedule based on the bootcamps available.
    • What is covered? Students will learn from a certified peer tutor in a cohort of up to 10 other students throughout the bootcamp. During sessions, students will practice multiple full length SAT practice tests and get personalized support for the most challenging questions & concepts.
    • When are they happening? We are currently offering bootcamps to help prepare for the November and December SATs. The November SAT Bootcamp will run from October 8th to November 4th and the December SAT Bootcamp will run from November 5th to December 2nd.
    • Why should I participate? These bootcamps are 100% free and have proven highly effective! Students who participated in previous bootcamps experienced a 90+ average score increase across both sections. In addition, learners have reported an increase in content understanding and testing confidence (hear it directly from our learners, Setareh and Kavish).
    • How do I sign up? Visit this link to enroll in an SAT Bootcamp! Registrations for the November bootcamp close on October 6th – spots may fill up quickly so sign up soon.
  • Read more at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat

SHARED WISDOM

  • (Added 4/9/24, CounselorTalk): Q: Does anyone have a quick and concise presentation they use to go over the SAT score reports with students that they are willing to share?
  • (An Update from the Indiana Department of Education for 4/28/23): Sign Up for June SAT Data Workshops – College Board and IDOE will host summer SAT Data Workshops to support schools and corporation teams with accessing and using their spring SAT data. Each school and/or corporation should bring a team of educators who will review their data from the recent SAT administration and develop a plan for utilizing data in the 2023-2024 school year. Participants will also receive an introduction to the new digital SAT launching this fall. Register for sessions across the state here. Contact College Board with any questions.
  • (An Update from the Indiana Department of Education for 4/21/23): First Glimpse at the New Digital SAT for Spring 2024: College Board is hosting a free webinar to provide schools an overview of the new Digital SAT School Day for spring 2024. The Digital SAT is shorter, adaptive, and more secure. School administrators, educators, counselors, and test coordinators are encouraged to attend one of the these live sessions. A recording will be available for those unable to attend.

    Contact College Board with any additional questions.

  • (An Update from the Indiana Department of Education for 3/24/23): SCHOOLHOUSE.WORLD: May SAT Bootcamp: Registrations for the Schoolhouse.world May SAT Bootcamps in preparation for the Saturday, May 6, SAT administration open Monday, March 27. Sessions take place twice a week (75 minutes per session) and students have the flexibility to select the dates and times that best fit their schedule based on available sessions. Students and their parents can sign up at this link until Wednesday, April 5. Bootcamps are 100% free and have proven highly effective. Students who participated in previous bootcamps experienced a 50+ average score increase across both sections vs non-bootcamp participants. Contact Schoolhouse.world with any questions.
  • (An Update from the Indiana Department of Education for 3/24/23): Students who participated in the SAT School Day primary testing window from Wednesday, March 1, through Friday, March 3, may access their scores through their individual College Board student account. To access results, students may create a College Board account if they do not already have one. Students who participate in April makeup testing may access results on Wednesday, May 3. Educators will receive access to scores for both test administrations on Friday, May 19. Note that some scores may be released later due to participation in the accommodated testing window or investigation of a testing irregularity that requires resolution. Additional scores will be released on a rolling basis. Contact College Board with any questions. 
  • (An Update from the Indiana Department of Education for 3/24/23): SAT School Day Makeup Testing Window Preparation: Students who were unable to test during the primary testing window or experienced a testing irregularity and are eligible to retest should participate in the makeup testing window. SAT Online Makeup Testing: Wednesday, April 12, through Friday, April 14, and Tuesday, April 18, and Wednesday, April 19 SAT Paper-and-Pencil Makeup Testing: Wednesday, April 12 Schools must print new student test tickets for the makeup testing window and conduct a new preadministration session before or immediately after testing. Accommodations must also be reconfigured within the Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) for students, as applicable. IDOE has populated all cohort 2024 students within TIDE for the makeup testing window, and schools must determine locally which students are eligible for participation. Contact College Board with any additional questions.
  • (An Update from the Indiana Department of Education for 2/17/23): The SAT School Day primary testing window opens on Wednesday, March 1. Schools should ensure that preparation tasks are completed and that students are prepared to participate.

    View more resources for SAT preparation on College Board’s Indiana Resources Google Drive and on the Indiana Department of Education’s (IDOE’s) High School Assessment webpage. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment or College Board with additional questions.

  • (CounselorTalk, February 2023): Q: Is there a way to remove students from TIDE for the SAT School Day? Our upload from the DOE has students who have since withdrawn.
    • A: The College Board TIDE system is structured to where students who unenroll/will not be participating in testing will still remain in the system. What IDOE and College Board have suggested for these students is to create a “Do Not Test” roster within TIDE to manage these records. This will not impact accountability scoring, as IDOE will use up-to-date SIS data during determinations. For the new student who has enrolled in your school, first ensure that they are designated as a cohort 2024 student; this can sometimes be different than being classified as a junior by credits. Once that is confirmed, it should carry over from your SIS into TIDE. If you’re not seeing that student populate after this, you can reach out to our Office of Data Reporting, and they can see if there are any issues behind the scenes.  For further questions, please contact Kenzie Conrad (317) 234-5667 or mconrad@doe.in.gov
  • (An Update From the Indiana Department of Education for January 27, 2023) Spring 2023 SAT School Day Test Manuals Now Available

    • The Spring 2023 SAT School Day test manuals are now available on College Board’s Indiana Resources Google Drive. School Test Coordinators (STCs) must download, review, and refer to these resources in preparation for testing. STCs should ensure that proctors and other designated staff review the necessary testing manual(s).

      Contact College Board with any questions.

    • Schoolhouse.World SAT Bootcamp The peer-to-peer tutoring organization Schoolhouse.world is offering free four-week SAT bootcamps to prepare students for upcoming SAT administrations. Registration is open Monday, January 30, through Wednesday, February 8. Sessions begin on Friday, February 10. Note that the statewide SAT School Day primary testing window is Wednesday, March 1, through Friday, March 3, so juniors will have only two-and-one-half weeks of the bootcamp prior to statewide testing. Students may also prepare with the free Official SAT Practice with Khan Academy, as outlined in this webinar. Contact the Schoolhouse.world help desk with any questions.

  • Q: More and more post-secondary institutions are becoming test-optional. We currently report our students’ SAT scores on our official transcript. I was wondering about feedback regarding the SAT scores being reported this way and if they could adversely affect a student’s chances for admission if the college is test-optional and the student wishes to not report their SAT/ACT scores.
    • A: We just made this shift recently because we didn’t want kids’ scores to accidentally be seen if they didn’t want them reported, especially given the craziness of this school year and testing limitations. Many schools wanted official reports from College Board anyway, so we just streamlined it for ourselves and took them off. Our decision was sealed when we read this recommendation from the IDOE and College Board (page 11): https://www.doe.in.gov/sites/default/files/student-assistance/transcripts-req-and-guidance-november-2016-final.pdf
    • A: Our College Admissions Coordinator has discussed this with many in state colleges and universities. If the student applies test optional and we send scores on the transcript, the college/uni will NOT factor scores into the admissions review. We are continuing to put SAT scores on eTranscripts, as we have programs that utilize the eTranscript data which include SAT scores.
  • Q: I am curious if there are any high school counselors out there who could share their experiences with the SAT School Day. How does this work? Would you recommend it?
    • A: We have done it the past three years and one of the spring dates falls on our fall break which works out perfectly! The students don’t have to miss a day of class and have the chance to take it at our school.
    • A: We have given the SAT School Day the past 2 years while the sophomores and juniors were taking the PSAT.  It has worked out with timing to be a little longer than the PSAT but similar timing and we have seen test scores for students increase by taking the SAT at school.
    • A: We also give the fall SAT School Day in October while the 10th and 11th take the PSAT and that works well.  The administration is very similar to the other College Board exams, except that the test books and proctor sheets also need to be returned. Also, for us, it was easier to have our whole high devoted to testing that day for schedules and staffing, so we also added the PSAT 8/9 for freshman. We have done this the past 2 years in the fall.  A nice perk to having 9th graders take the exam is that it provides the link to the free tutorials in Kahn academy. I have noticed that seniors taking the exam improved their math scores both times. We also allowed international students in 11th grade to opt into taking the SAT exam as they cannot participate in PSAT/NMSQT scholarships.  We are looking to adding the spring date. We were going to give that a try last spring, but it was cancelled due to COVID.  We also added the ACT district testing this fall because so many of our seniors weren’t able to fit the exam in this past spring/summer. Registering students for the exam is more of a hassle than with College Board, but material return is a bit easier.
  • Q: Has anyone had concerns from parents of test centers canceling their SAT exams?  Does anyone have any other suggestions I could give these parents?
    • A: I spoke to a collegeboard rep the other day regarding one of our students with a notification that her test center was closed and the exam was cancelled.  They did not give a reason, stated it is the test center’s prerogative to cancel.   Collegeboard rep stated the students needed to call to request a reschedule and the rep would talk them through it.  Another suggestion would be for the student or parent to contact their school of choice to verify if the exam is necessary.  Numerous colleges/ universities are waiving the SAT / ACT scores for entrance/ application requirements.
    • A: Do keep in mind that some academic scholarships may still require the SAT of ACT as part of their requirements.
  • Q: Does anyone know if the new SAT requirement for the class of 2023 (SAT given in spring of 2022) will be with or without the essay part included?
    • A: The information on the IDOE website at https://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/high-school-assessment says “The SAT is taken at school during the school day at a time specified by IDOE. It is an online assessment with paper provided as an accommodation only. The SAT consists of multiple-choice and numeric response items along with one essay.”
  • Q: I received a package with fee waiver information, but it didn’t contain any fee waivers. Did anyone receive theirs without waivers? (August 2020)
    • A: The College Board is not giving out paper waivers this year. You should have received a spreadsheet with a list of 25 waiver codes to give out to your students.
    • After some research, I found out that they give you waivers based on how many new student waivers you gave out the previous year. Students who have used a waiver in the past can use their previous number one more time for a total of 2 tests.
  • Q: Are colleges recommending students take the SAT for admissions for the 21-22 school year (our current seniors who missed the Spring window due to COVID-19)?
    • A: Your question is a good one, but there are multiple answers. In light of the current situation, MANY colleges have announced that they are test optional either temporarily or moving forward. But my advice is to not assume anything. I’m telling students/parents to check the college websites carefully regarding their testing policy for this admission cycle. I’m also suggesting that they get a test score under their belt if they can do so, in order to keep all options open. If a student definitely knows where they wish to apply, and they can confirm that those schools are test optional, then they don’t need to stress about making sure they get a test behind them. It’s also important to note that while some schools have indicated that they are test optional for admissions purposes, some are still expecting scores for scholarship consideration. I’ve been pleased to see that many are truly going test optional on all fronts, but certainly not all. In sum: encourage students to READ the websites carefully and ASK the admissions office if they need clarification or first-hand interpretation of the policy.
  • Q: Can anyone please share their policy, legal guidance, best practice, anecdotes, or anything regarding students who want to remove only certain SAT/ACT test scores from their transcript?
    • A: We made the decision to remove ALL SAT/ACT scores from the transcript when the test optional movement started to grow. There is no way we can keep track of which schools are test optional and which students are applying that way. I also know that this can become an access issue for low income students so we are proactive in making sure that they are given fee waivers.
    • A: We have had this request more and more recently. We tell the students that if they want their scores removed, they have to take ALL the ACT or SAT scores off.. not pick and choose which scores they want for the tests.
    • A: We don’t transcribe any college admissions test scores.  I decided to stop when PU/IU said they wouldn’t consider them valid on a transcript.  I also think it inserts unnecessary human error and issues such as what you are encountering.
    • A: While test optional is becoming more prominent and there is room for error, although SAT and ACT now both have online platforms for the scores to be loaded electronically, I feel like we need to put the test scores on the transcript so that our students don’t have to continue to pay College Board and ACT exorbitant amounts of money to send the test scores when they apply to colleges.  I feel like I talk until I’m blue in the face for students to take advantage of the 4 score sends when they register for these tests, but they just don’t do it.  We still have a LOT of colleges in Indiana that will accept the test scores off of our transcripts.  We also have more colleges that are allowing students to self-report scores.  If we are not putting test scores on the transcript, then our students will be forced to pay more money to these testing companies.  I don’t think that is fair to our students.
    • A: Many will accept it for application, just not for admittance. So it does save money for one part at least.
  • Q: Can anyone give me any guidance with the new SAT payment system?
    • A: Go to your ETS account. Then select edit/remove staff. From there you can search for each staff member as if you were going to edit their profile information. Within the edit, there is a section that shows if they have completed their velocity account and it’s time stamped.
  • Accommodations for PSAT/SAT
    • Q: Any high school counselors know who is responsible for making sure an IEP student receives their accommodations on the SAT and/or ACT? (Counselor Talk, January 2019)
    • A: Because our school is small, the counselors apply for the accommodations through SAT/ACT. The special ed dept works with us to tell us which students plan to take the tests.
    • A: I am a small school and do apply for accommodations.
    • A: I am at a huge school (Carmel High School) and we are responsible for submitting all the accommodations requests.  We have really tried to streamline it by having the paperwork signed during the freshman case conferences so that the students will be approved for accommodations when they take the PSAT sophomore year.  I’m attaching the packet that parents have to fill out to request accommodations.  This has really helped us in this process.
    • A: At the high school level the special education department should be responsible for this. In my opinion school counselors shouldn’t be responsible for requesting accommodations and proctoring these exams.
  • From Amanda Culhan, IDOE: The State Board approved the proposed SAT scores for the Academic Honors Diploma at [September 6, 2017] meeting!  You can find more information here.  In short, [here] are the scores that passed: Composite score of 1250 or higher with a minimum score of 560 on the math and a 590 on the evidence based reading and writing section.
  • Q: Do counselors encourage students to take the essay portion of the SAT?
    • A: I suggest it to my soft sciences and liberal arts majors.  I rarely suggest it to my hard sciences and math kids.I have always told students, unless you know where you are going and that they do not require it, you should take it.  If they have already taken it with essay then I am more inclined to say skip it the second or third time they take it. This year, I have been making it a point to ask better questions when college reps come visit our school and so far the two that we have had (Purdue and DePauw) have both said that they do not require the writing portion.
    • A: They do not require it anymore.  I typically try to talk my students into taking the ACT, statistics have proven that kids in the Midwest do better on the ACT.  For some reason (which we all are aware of) Indiana is an SAT state.  But no, I tell them not to mess with the essay anymore and focus on the other aspects.  Even when they did require it, they (colleges) didn’t do anything with it, so it was a waste of time, energy and money.
    • A: I always recommend students do the writing portion at least once.  Most colleges want to get at least one writing score.  I do see that several colleges are moving away from that recently.  I still recommend it at least once.
    • A: I usually tell students to take it with the writing portion at least once just in case they need it.
    • A: I do–I have heard of students who have tested out of college English Composition based upon their essay [my own child included] score.  They weren’t all honors students, either [but probably had the ability to be].
    • A: We’ve always told our students to take the essay portion for both the SAT and the ACT at least once.  If they are happy with their essay score then they don’t need to retake the essay portion during later testing dates. Some colleges require the essay, some don’t. This way the student doesn’t limit their option of colleges.
    • A: I always suggest my students to take the essay of both the SAT and the ACT at least once. Some colleges do require it ( not a large amount) but I rather them not need to the score and have it then need it and not have taken it.
    • A: I do.  Only because most of my students use a waiver and it’s free.  Those that pay I encourage with writing the first test and then for retests only if they know for sure a school on their list requires it.  I am not sure of any in Indiana that require.
    • A: In the registration for the SAT, students can search to see if the college requires the essay.  Not all colleges indicate that information to College Board, but it is a nice add-on in the registration process.  Otherwise, I always recommend that they check with the college/university they are interested in.
    • A: Many colleges are going away from requiring it, but I tell my students it’s better to have it and not need it. I recommend that all students take the SAT or the ACT with writing/essay at least one time. Not every time on every test, unless they want. Just one test with it.
    • A: Some colleges do… it doesn’t seem like many though.

CONTENT FEEDBACK

If you have suggestions, feedback, or resources, please email counselor1stop@inspiresuccess.org and let us know.