Unlike most SAT prep programs, Brilliant Minds Prep offers a balanced approach to our SAT prep courses. We provide a mix of educator-led instruction, independent practices, and multiple timed practice exams that targets specific areas of each section of the SAT. After each practice test is graded, we provide detailed feedback and pointers for improvement. We frequently check each student’s progress to ensure they are headed in the direction of success.
Format of the new Digital SAT exam
The digital SAT is composed of two sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. Students have 64 minutes to complete the Reading and Writing section and 70 minutes to complete the Math section for a total of 2 hours and 14 minutes. Each section is divided into 2 equal length modules, and there is a 10-minute break between the Reading and Writing section and the Math section. The first module of each section contains a broad mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. Based on how students perform on the first module, the second module of questions will either be more difficult or less difficult.
Reading & Writing
Module 1:
- 27 Questions
- 32 Minutes
Module 2:
- 27 Questions
- 32 Minutes
Types of Reading & Writing Tested:
- Information & Ideas: Measures comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills and knowledge and the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, and integrate information and ideas from texts and informational graphics (tables, bar graphs, and line graphs).
- Craft & Structure: Measures the comprehension, vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, and reasoning skills and knowledge needed to understand and use high-utility words and phrases in context, evaluate texts rhetorically, and make connections between topically related texts.
- Expression of Ideas: Measures the ability to revise texts to improve the effectiveness of written expression and to meet specific rhetorical goals.
- Standard English Conventions: Measures the ability to edit text to conform to core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.
Math
Module 1:
- 22 Questions
- 35 Minutes
Module 2:
- 22 Questions
- 35 Minutes
Types of Math Tested:
- Algebra: Linear equations in 1 variable, Linear equations in 2 variables, Linear functions, Systems of 2 linear equations in 2 variables, Linear inequalities in 1 or 2 variables.
- Advanced Math: Equivalent expressions, Nonlinear equations in 1 variable, Systems of equations in 2 variables, Nonlinear functions.
- Problem-Solving & Data Analysis: Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units, Percentages, One-variable data: distributions and measures of center and spread, Two-variable data: models and scatterplots, Probability and conditional probability, Inference from sample statistics and margin of error, Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments.
- Geometry & Trigonometry: Area and volume formulas, Lines, angles, and triangles, Right triangles and trigonometry, Circles.
Digital SAT Exam FAQs
The digital SAT is now much shorter than its pencil and paper predecessor – lasting 2 hours and 14 minutes instead of 3 hours.
The reading passages are now shorter with only 1 question each.
You can use a calculator for the entire Math section.
Most of the questions are multiple choice, though some of the math questions ask you to enter the answer rather than select it.
On all questions, there’s no penalty for guessing: if you’re not sure of the answer, it’s better to guess than leave the response blank.
Best Tips for Preparation
At Brilliant Minds Prep, we offer the best proven strategies to conquer the SAT. But there are also other ways your child can get ready to do their best!
Before the test:
- Plan a study schedule several months in advance in order to get familiar with the structure and timing of the exam.
- Take multiple practice tests – this will allow students to feel more comfortable with the structure and testing requirements of the exam.
- Sleep well and eat a good, healthy breakfast before the test.
- Make sure to arrive early at the test site and all of your testing supplies are functional.
During the test:
- Use the elimination approach: If you feel stuck on a question, try eliminating the options that you know are wrong first. This will help you narrow down your answers and also saves some time. Then, if needed, take an educated guess based on the information given in the passage.
- Pace yourself: If you feel that you have spent too much time on one question or it has become too challenging, put down an answer, mark it, and skip the question for later. Remember, you only have less than a minute per question!
- Never leave an answer blank: Even if you’re unsure of an answer, it’s always better to put something down than nothing at all.
- Mark it up: Marking up questions helps students focus on key parts of the question or eliminate answer choices as they work, which will result in more time saved and improved concentration on the exam.