SAT Online Test Environment
& Student Progress Interface
Case study
Project Overview
I was the sole UX designer for the creation of a brand new platform built to support SAT preparation through realistic online test simulations and a motivating progress dashboard. Since no digital solution existed yet, my role was to design the experience entirely from
the ground up, collaborating closely with the client
to ensure the product could later scale into official
SAT exam delivery.
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The mission: design a student-centered platform that replicates the focus and structure of the SAT while introducing clear, engaging progress tracking. The challenge was to create something intuitive and motivating for students, while also aligning with technical constraints and future requirements for standardized online testing.
Project length: 6 months
Research
Because I wasn’t familiar with the SAT, my first step was to immerse myself in understanding the exam structure, the types of questions, and how students typically prepare. I reviewed available resources, studied the test format, and noted the main pain points students face when preparing:
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lack of motivation
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difficulty tracking progress
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mismatch between practice materials and the actual exam experience
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In parallel, I interviewed the client to clarify the project’s scope. At this stage, the platform would not host official SAT exams but instead provide high-quality online practice exercises (MVP).
This distinction helped shape the functionality and kept the project grounded in realistic requirements.
Wireframes
With a clear understanding of requirements, I created wireframes that laid out all core functionality. These included:
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A distraction-free test-taking environment with navigation and timing indicators
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A progress dashboard with scores, trends, and performance by category
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A simple onboarding process so students could start practicing without friction
The wireframes were validated with the client before moving into visual design, ensuring alignment on both structure and usability.
UI
I then developed the final interface, focusing on clarity, modernity, and motivation:
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Minimal distractions – clean layouts and restrained color use to help students focus on the test.
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Readable typography – optimized for long reading sessions and reduced cognitive load.
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Engaging progress views – charts and summaries designed to encourage continued practice.
The visual direction balanced the seriousness of exam preparation with the need to keep students engaged over time.
The outcome was a modern, intuitive platform tailored to real learning needs. Students gain access to an authentic SAT-like practice environment and a progress dashboard that helps them see results and stay engaged. For the client, the design demonstrated how the SAT could be brought into a digital context without losing credibility or focus.
This project not only delivered a concrete solution but also gave the client a strong foundation to expand into official online testing in the future.