Thank you to KAPLAN
Test Prep's Trina Bell for updating us on the changes coming to the SAT. These changes will be sweeping and
drastic. If you are currently a senior,
junior or sophomore, you will most likely dodge these changes as they are not
slated to take effect until the January administration in 2016. Please read Trina's comments below.
In December of 2013,
the administrator of the SAT®, the College Board, announced that revisions to
the SAT will be implemented in the spring of 2016. This past Wednesday,
specific details were released around what these changes will entail. As with
previous test revisions, the PSAT will change first in the fall of 2015, and
the SAT will follow. The new PSAT will serve as a preview for the new SAT.
The revision is
comprehensive, and there's no question that the SAT in 2016 will look
significantly different from the current version. We've summarized key updates
in the chart below; headlines include the return to a 1600 scale, an optional
essay, and shifts in approach to both vocabulary and math concepts.
|
Changes to the SAT
|
Current SAT
(Class of 2014-2016)
|
New SAT
(Class of 2017 and beyond)
|
|
Scoring
|
· ¼-point penalty for wrong answers
· Score is based out of 2400 -- 800 for Math; 800 for
Reading Comprehension; and, 800 for Writing
|
· No wrong-answer penalty
· Score is based out of 1600 -- 800 for Math; 800 for
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. Optional essay will receive a separate
score
|
|
Timing
|
· 3 hours 45 minutes
|
· 3 hours; 3 hours 50 minutes with optional essay
|
|
Administration
|
· Only available in print
· Test focused on broad range of non-essential topics and
content
|
· Available digitally and in print
· Fewer questions with a greater focus on in-depth analysis
of content
|
|
Essay
|
· Essay is required
· Students have 25 minutes to write a persuasive essay in
response to a prompt
· Accuracy of information not tested
|
· Essay is optional
· Students have 50-minutes to analyze document and draft
essay
· Essay requires students to analyze source documents and
explain how the author builds an argument
· Facts matter
|
|
Math
|
· Focus on wide array of topics
· More emphasis on computational skills
· Calculators permitted for all sections
|
· Focus on 3 topics -- problem-solving and data analysis,
“the heart of algebra,” and “passport to advanced math”
· Real-world problem solving including analyzing data,
charts, and graphs
· Calculator no longer permitted for all math sections
|
|
Reading and Writing
|
· Writing score combines writing multiple-choice and essay
· Reading section has two question types: sentence
completion and passage-based questions
|
· Reading and Writing sections combine into “Evidence-Based
Reading and Writing” section
· No Sentence Completions
· Focus on real-world vocabulary-in-context as well as
revising and editing writing in passages
· Focus on analyzing Literature, Social Studies, and Science
passages
· One passage will be a Primary Source from American and/or
World History, such as The Constitution or Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have
a Dream” speech
|
As a reminder - current seniors, juniors and sophomores will not be affected by these changes. These graduating classes should continue preparing for the current iteration of the SAT. However, current freshmen, or the graduating class of 2017, will see the new version of the SAT in the spring of 2016 as juniors.
At Kaplan, our 75-year history has included numerous test changes, and we understand the challenges that come with navigating one. We are paying very close attention to all of the developments around the SAT change and are committed to helping you and your students understand what the changes will mean for them. To this end, we will continue to share news online at our SAT Test Change Resource Center, kaptest.com/satchange.
Rest assured, our team is already working to adjust our curriculum for the class of 2017 and beyond. We are ready to create high quality resources that support you and your students.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I look forward to continuing to partner with you to help your students achieve their college dreams.
Kind Regards,
Trina Bell
Kaplan Test Prep
Pre-College Program Manager
