A ONE INSTITUTE
Feb 12, 2025
We Provide the Latest SAT Pattern Analysis!
Hello,Today, we will be posting an analysis of the latest SAT trends. This is based on a thorough examination of the recent changes in the SAT, so it will be highly beneficial for you.
At A-One Institute, we have been tracking changes in SAT question types.Today, we will inform you about the changes in SAT Math questions up to October 2024, as well as some unique shifts observed in the November and December 2024 exams. Additionally, this post includes predictions for the SAT in March 2025, so please read carefully.
SAT
The SAT is divided into two categories: US & International.Since the College Board aggregates statistics for both exams, it is difficult to separate data specifically for US and International SATs.
College Board Statistics
The College Board provides statistics on average scores for English and Math based on factors such as race and gender, but they do not publish separate statistics for US and International SATs.The College Board releases reports based on students’ preferred majors, as they collect this information when students take the exam.
Let’s take a look at the distribution of preferred majors:
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services - 13%
Communication/Journalism - 2%
Computer and Information Science - 6% (Despite expectations of a higher percentage, Computer Science is not as dominant.)
Engineering - 10% (As expected, Engineering is quite high.)
Health Professions - 12% (Medical-related majors also rank high.)
The SAT is administered by the College Board and recently transitioned to Digital SAT:
International SAT: Digital format introduced in March 2023.
US SAT: Digital format introduced in March 2024.
In 2023, SAT exams were administered in March, May, June, August, October, November, and December, with International SATs conducted in the new digital format.
In 2024, the same exam schedule applied, including US SATs, which had transitioned to digital.
Why Was the Digital SAT Introduced in International Regions First?
I believe that the College Board first tested the digital format in International regions, analyzed score distributions, and then adjusted the exam before rolling it out in the US. If the results from International SATs aligned with College Board’s predictions, the same format was implemented in the US. If the results deviated, adjustments were made before the US release.
Here’s some evidence to support this hypothesis:
In August 2024, the SAT was not given in a single format but rather in about three different types. This was likely to prevent cheating. Even within the same test center, students were given different versions (Type A, B, C).
In October 2024, the SAT followed the same three-type pattern.
If we label these three types as A/B/C, students taking the August International SAT received versions from these types. Interestingly, 15-20 questions from the International SAT appeared identically in the US SAT.
From the total International SAT question pool, about 15-20 questions appeared in the US SAT without any changes, meaning that each version contributed approximately 5-7 identical questions.
Based on two years of collected International SAT data, it appears that questions from previous International exams are modified and used in subsequent US exams.This pattern is difficult to detect without careful tracking, but through meticulous analysis, I discovered it.
One more key observation:
US SAT questions do not appear in International SATs.
Until October 2024, the pattern was that some International SAT questions were directly used in US SATs.
This pattern ended in October, and changes occurred in the November and December 2024 SAT Math sections, which I will now explain.
Changes in SAT Math for November/December 2024
Digital SAT Math Module System
The first 22 questions determine the transition to either the Upper Module or Lower Module.
Assuming that most students reading this post will advance to the Upper Module, let’s analyze the pattern:
Observations in November/December 2024 SAT Math:
Questions 21 and 22 in Module 1 were difficult.
In the Upper Module, questions 21 and 22 were also challenging.
Additionally, 2 questions between 15-20 were difficult.
Total: 5-6 hard questions overall.
Comparing difficulty levels:
Before October 2024, the SAT Math difficulty (on a scale of 1 to 10) was around 7-8.
November/December 2024 followed a similar pattern for US SATs.
However, the International SAT pattern changed significantly.
Changes in International SAT Math (November/December 2024)
Module 1 (Questions 1-22) became very easy.
Students automatically advanced to the Upper Module.
Even in Module 2, most questions were easy, except for:
Questions 21 and 22 (very difficult)
1-2 questions between 15-20 (extremely difficult)
Total: 3-4 difficult questions, but their difficulty level increased.
Previously, the Math difficulty was around 7-8, but now it has increased to 9-10, making the hardest questions even more challenging.Although the number of difficult questions has decreased, their complexity has significantly increased.
This change means:
Easier questions raise the overall average score.
However, achieving a perfect score has become harder.
Since International SATs influence the following US SATs, it is crucial to observe these trends carefully.
Student Performance Trends (NAEP & TIMSS)
NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) measures US student performance.
Math performance increased steadily from 2000 to 2020, but dropped sharply after 2020.
TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) shows a similar decline in math performance worldwide starting in 2019.
Since the SAT changed formats in 2016 and transitioned to Digital SAT in 2023, scores have continued to decline.Experts attribute this drop to the COVID-19 pandemic, as students who are currently in 11th and 12th grade were significantly affected between 2020-2023, a critical academic period.
Many missed key middle school math concepts, especially Algebra and Geometry, which directly impacts SAT Math performance.
Recent Trends in SAT Math Questions
To normalize SAT scores while maintaining differentiation among top scorers, the College Board seems to be testing the introduction of more difficult questions.
Example:
In November 2024, question 21 in the US SAT Math required multiple steps to solve, increasing its difficulty to level 9-10.
In December 2024, International SAT Math problems also became more complex, demanding multiple steps for solutions.
Quadratic equation problems introduced more unknowns, making them harder for students to solve quickly.
Predictions for the March 2025 SAT
Since International SAT trends influence US SATs, the March 2025 US SAT will likely follow the November/December 2024 International SAT pattern.
Module 1 will be easy.
Module 2 will have 3-4 very difficult questions.
How to Prepare for a Perfect SAT Math Score?
Practice more high-difficulty problems.
International students should prepare for a March 2025 SAT similar to the November/December 2024 tests.
For consistent SAT practice, visit:🔗 www.ett-test.com
Today, we discussed recent changes in SAT Math. We hope our detailed and long-term analysis was helpful.
For further inquiries, contact A-One Institute.