Students are finally adjusting to the new SAT format and difficulty.
The June 1, 2024 SAT exam has shown a trend in line with the March and May exams, maintaining a similar level of difficulty. Students reported that while the test was challenging, it was not unexpected. This consistency has allowed students to better prepare and approach the exam with more confidence.
Compared to the initial shock of the March exam, the feedback from June indicates that students, parents, and teachers are becoming more accustomed to the increased difficulty. The transition to the digital format, though initially jarring, is starting to stabilize as expectations align more closely with the actual exam experience.
Feedback on the June exam indicated a more balanced response to the difficulty of the sections. Unlike the March exam, fewer students reported being caught off guard, indicating a better alignment of expectations. This suggests that both the students and the preparation materials have adjusted to the new format, providing a smoother experience overall.
On the official Reddit Discusstion thread in r/SAT, students shared their experiences and tips for future test-takers. The discussions were less frantic, reflecting a calmer approach to the new SAT format. This indicates a significant improvement in how students are coping with the changes.
The comments complaining about how College Board blindsided everyone with incredibly difficult test questions are few and far in between. Instead, the discussions were mostly about score prediction and question specifics. Overall, things seem to be getting back to normal.
The math section, which was a major point of contention in previous exams, saw fewer complaints this time. Students seemed to be adapting to the challenging questions, and the feedback for Reading and Writing was almost equal to that of Math. This balance in feedback suggests that the difficulty of the sections is becoming more predictable and manageable for students.
One student noted, "The math wasn't as bad as March, but Module 2 still got me." Another added, "I felt more prepared this time, and the practice really helped." These comments reflect a growing confidence among students in tackling the tougher sections of the exam.
The Reading and Writing sections continued to challenge students, especially with the second module. However, students were better prepared for the variety of questions and complex passages. This preparation seems to stem from a better understanding of what to expect and how to tackle the more difficult content.
"The reading was tough, but I managed my time better," one student shared. Another remarked, "The second module's difficulty was expected, but it was still hard to get through." This indicates that while the sections remain challenging, students are developing better strategies to handle them.
Many students aim for a score of 1500+ to secure spots in top colleges, and this exam saw a good number of them achieving this goal. According to the Reddit discussion, several students reported scores in the 1500s, with many more in the 1400s. This positive outcome suggests that the preparation strategies are effective and that students are rising to meet the new challenges of the exam.
The reported scores seem in line with scores from previous years, which is good news for College Board since keeping the same scoring curves was one of their goals when they decided to make the SAT digital.
To better prepare for upcoming exams, we recommend students focus on difficult-rated questions from official materials and join study groups. These strategies have shown to improve performance significantly. Engaging with peers and challenging materials helps to build the resilience needed for the tougher sections of the exam.