At A-One Institute, we have been closely tracking shifts in SAT question patterns. Today, we will outline the key changes in SAT Math questions through October 2024, along with notable shifts in the November and December 2024 exams. Additionally, we will provide predictions for the SAT in March 2025.

Understanding SAT Scoring and Data

The SAT is divided into two versions: US & International. Since the College Board combines statistics for both, it is challenging to separate data for each region.

College Board Statistics

The College Board provides score distributions for Math and English based on factors like race and gender. However, they do not differentiate between US and International SAT scores. Instead, they publish reports based on students' preferred majors, collected at the time of the exam. Here is the breakdown of popular major choices among test-takers:

• Business, Management, Marketing – 13%

• Communication/Journalism – 2%

• Computer and Information Science – 6% (Surprisingly lower than expected)

• Engineering – 10% (Consistently high)

• Health Professions – 12% (Medical-related fields remain popular)

 

The Transition to the Digital SAT

• International SAT: Transitioned to a digital format in March 2023.

• US SAT: Transitioned to digital in March 2024.

In 2023 and 2024, the SAT was administered in March, May, June, August, October, November, and December, with all International SATs given in digital format.

Why Did the College Board Introduce Digital SAT Internationally First?

The College Board likely tested the digital format in international regions first, analyzed the score distributions, and then fine-tuned the exam before introducing it in the US.

Supporting Evidence:

• In August 2024, the SAT was not administered in a single format but instead in three different versions (Type A, B, C) to prevent cheating. Even students at the same test center received different versions.

• The same pattern occurred in October 2024.

• Some questions from the International SAT (15-20 per test) appeared identically in US SATs.

• However, US SAT questions were never reused in International SATs.

This pattern remained consistent until October 2024, but changes in November and December 2024 significantly affected SAT Math.

Changes in SAT Math for November/December 2024

Digital SAT Math Module System

The first 22 questions of Module 1 determine whether students move to the Upper Module or Lower Module. Most students reading this analysis will likely advance to the Upper Module, so we will focus on that pattern.

Observations in November/December 2024 SAT Math:

• Questions 21 and 22 in Module 1 were difficult.

• Questions 21 and 22 in the Upper Module were also very challenging.

• 2 additional difficult questions appeared between 15-20 in the Upper Module.

• Total: 5-6 hard questions per test.

Difficulty Comparison:

• Before October 2024: SAT Math difficulty ranged 7-8 (on a scale of 1-10).

• November/December 2024: The US SAT difficulty remained similar.

• However, International SAT difficulty significantly increased.

Changes in International SAT Math (November/December 2024)

• Module 1 (Questions 1-22) became noticeably easier.

• Most students automatically advanced to the Upper Module.

• Upper Module contained only 3-4 very difficult questions, but their complexity was significantly higher.

Difficulty Impact:

• Previously, SAT Math difficulty ranged 7-8.

• Now, it has increased to 9-10 due to harder complex problems.

• Fewer hard questions overall, but they are more time-consuming.

What This Means for Students:

• Easier questions increase average scores.

• Perfect scores are now harder to achieve.

• Since International SAT trends influence US SATs, March 2025 may reflect these changes.

Student Performance Trends (NAEP & TIMSS)

• NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress):

  • Math performance improved from 2000-2020 but declined sharply after 2020.

• TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study):

  • Similar worldwide math performance declines began in 2019.

Since the SAT changed formats in 2016 and transitioned to digital in 2023, SAT scores have steadily declined. Experts attribute this to COVID-19 disruptions, as current 11th and 12th graders missed key math concepts (Algebra, Geometry) between 2020-2023.

 

Recent Trends in SAT Math Questions

To maintain score differentiation while normalizing overall averages, the College Board appears to be increasing problem complexity.

Examples:

• November 2024 SAT: Question 21 in Math required multiple steps, raising its difficulty to 9-10.

• December 2024 International SAT: Multi-step problems became more frequent.

• Quadratic equation problems increased in complexity, requiring more unknowns and additional steps to solve.

 

Predictions for the March 2025 SAT

Since International SAT trends typically influence the next US SAT:

• Module 1 will remain easy.

• Module 2 will feature 3-4 extremely difficult questions.

• Achieving a perfect SAT Math score will require handling highly complex problems.

How to Prepare for a Perfect SAT Math Score?

• Practice more high-difficulty problems.

• International students should anticipate a March 2025 SAT similar to the November/December 2024 pattern.

• Focus on multi-step problem-solving techniques.

 

Final Thoughts

Today, we explored recent shifts in SAT Math, examined key question pattern changes, and predicted trends for March 2025. We hope this analysis provides valuable insights for your test preparation.

For consistent SAT practice, visit ETT

For further inquiries, contact A-One Institute.