College Board Secrets About the SAT Revealed: What You Need to Know for 2025
- Laura (Heslin) Whitmore
- 17 minutes ago
- 4 min read
By Laura Whitmore
College Board just shared some big updates for the 2025 SAT — and staying ahead of these changes can make a real difference when it comes to test scores and confidence.
Fresh details straight from the National Test Prep Association (NTPA) conference highlight new SAT questions coming soon, more full-length practice tests in development, and other important changes ahead! These updates mean better ways to prepare and fewer surprises on test day. This quick breakdown covers what’s changing, why it matters, and how to make the most of new resources. For anyone planning to take the SAT in the next year, a few smart adjustments now can help secure a higher score later.
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Secret 1 New SAT Questions Are Coming Soon 👀
One big takeaway is that College Board is adding brand-new questions to the question bank this summer — likely in July. Last year, they said they’d release thousands of fresh questions every year, and this year looks the same.
Even better: during the conference, I asked their VP directly if they’d add a filter so students can easily find only the newest questions. She loved the idea and said it’s something they’re seriously considering. So, keep an eye out for that filter — it will make studying much more targeted and efficient!
Secret 2 Expect More Full-Length Practice Tests 📑
College Board is also working on releasing more full digital practice tests. Back when the SAT was on paper, students had access to 10 full practice tests. Right now, there are only 7 available, but they’re planning to add three more.
No word yet on whether they’ll come out before the end of this year, but they’re definitely in the works.
Secret 3 QAS Reports Are Not Returning ❌
Many families ask about the old Question and Answer Service (QAS), which let students pay extra to see all the questions they missed on a real SAT.
College Board has made it clear they do not plan to bring this back for the digital SAT. Because each digital test is unique and adaptive, giving out detailed questions could risk test security and give an unfair advantage to students who pay for it.
Secret 4 Better Score Reports Are in Development 📈
One of the most common frustrations is how vague the current SAT score report is. Right now, it only shows general performance in a few broad skill areas, which makes it hard to pinpoint exactly what to work on next. College Board knows this and is investing heavily to make score reports more helpful and detailed.
They are studying other adaptive tests (like the GMAT) to see how to give students better data, such as how long they spend on each question. This upgrade will help students and tutors create better, more personalized study plans. This change won’t happen overnight, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Secret 5 The Question of the Day Is Coming Back 🤩
Good news for daily practice: College Board is bringing back the popular Question of the Day. You’ll be able to sign up to get one SAT practice question sent to your email each day. It’s a simple way to build consistency and keep the SAT fresh in your mind.
One thing to know — these daily questions will come from the existing question bank, so they won’t always be brand new, but it’s still a great way to get daily exposure and keep testing skills sharp.
Secret 6 More Practice Tests = Higher Scores 🏆
If you remember one thing from this post, remember this: practice tests work! College Board’s own data shows that students who take at least one full practice test improve their scores by an average of 26 points. Students who complete three practice tests before the real test see an average increase of 61 points.
It’s easy to think you can skip practice tests and just “know” the material, but full-length timed practice is key to higher scores. It helps students get used to the pacing, question types, and mental stamina required on test day.
Secret 7 Is the Digital SAT Consistent? 🤔
A hot topic at the conference was whether the digital SAT is truly consistent from test to test. Some coaches, myself included, pointed out that scores sometimes fluctuate, and students feel the Bluebook practice tests are easier than the real thing. College Board’s VP called this “perceived volatility” and said their data shows the tests are stable.
In my own experience, after taking multiple official digital SATs and having my tutors do the same, I believe the real tests sometimes include curveballs that don’t appear in the practice sets. This is one reason working with a tutor who knows the test inside and out can make a difference — we have first-hand experience and know what’s trending on the actual exams.
✨ Key Takeaway ✨
To sum it all up:
✅ New questions and more practice tests are coming soon.
✅ Better score reports are on the horizon.
✅ The Question of the Day is making a comeback.
✅ More practice equals higher scores — don’t skip them!
If you want help creating a smart prep plan, our experienced tutors and self-paced SAT courses at Strategic Test Prep can guide you every step of the way. We know the test, we stay ahead of trends, and we make sure every student feels ready and confident on test day.
Feel free to check out our resources and book a free consultation anytime.
Happy prepping!
