The digital SAT is a computer-based version of the traditional SAT. Both domestic and international students have taken the digital SAT at least once as of 2022. The format of the digital SAT is similar to the traditional SAT, but there are some key differences.
One of the most significant differences between the digital SAT and the traditional SAT is the scoring. The traditional SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600, with 400 being the lowest possible score and 1600 being the highest possible score. The digital SAT is scored on a scale of 10 to 40, with 10 being the lowest possible score and 40 being the highest possible score.
Is the digital SAT curved?
The answer is yes. The digital SAT is curved, which means that the raw scores are converted to scaled scores using a formula. The formula is designed to ensure that the distribution of scores on the digital SAT is similar to the distribution of scores on the traditional SAT.
The College Board, which administers the SAT, does not release the exact formula that is used to curve the digital SAT.
How does the digital SAT curve affect scores?
The digital SAT curve has a significant impact on scores. In particular, the curve tends to lower high scores and raise low scores. This is because the formula used to calculate scaled scores is designed to create a bell-shaped distribution, with the majority of scores falling in the middle range.
As a result, students who score in the top 10% on the raw score distribution will typically see their scores lowered on the scaled score distribution. Conversely, students who score in the bottom 10% on the raw score distribution will typically see their scores raised on the scaled score distribution.
What does this mean for students?
The digital SAT curve means that students should not be surprised if their scaled score is different from their raw score. In particular, students who score in the top 10% on the raw score distribution should be prepared for their scaled score to be lower than their raw score. Conversely, students who score in the bottom 10% on the raw score distribution should be prepared for their scaled score to be higher than their raw score.
Students should also keep in mind that the digital SAT curve is only one factor that affects their scores. Other factors, such as the difficulty of the test and the student’s preparation, can also have a significant impact on their score.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind about the digital SAT curve:
- The curve is not applied to every test. The College Board reserves the right to not curve a test if they believe that the raw score distribution is already representative of the population of students who took the test.
- The curve is not the same for every section of the test. The College Board uses different formulas to curve the different sections of the test, depending on the difficulty of the section.
- The curve is not perfect. There will always be some students who score higher or lower than they expected on the scaled score distribution.
Overall, the digital SAT curve is a complex and dynamic system. Students should be aware of how the curve can affect their scores, but they should also keep in mind that other factors can also have a significant impact on their score.
The digital SAT is a curved test, which means that the raw scores are converted to scaled scores using a formula. The formula is designed to ensure that the distribution of scores on the digital SAT is similar to the distribution of scores on the traditional SAT. The digital SAT curve has a significant impact on scores, particularly for students who score in the top or bottom 10% of the raw score distribution. Students should be aware of how the curve can affect their scores, but they should also keep in mind that other factors can also have a significant impact on their score.
- The College Board’s website on the digital SAT
- A blog post from Kaplan Test Prep on the digital SAT curve
- A video from Khan Academy on the digital SAT curve