In the spring of 2016, the College Board will unveil a redesigned SAT (RSAT). If you re wondering how the changes affect your son or daughter, we ve put together this brief guide to provide an overview of what to expect.
SUMMARY Why the SAT is changing According to David Coleman, the president of the College Board, the SAT test is being redesigned to better reflect what students learn in school. Ideally, the redesigned test will reward students for their classroom learning and rigorous coursework. It will focus on the skills and content areas that are most relevant for success in college and careers. Test content The RSAT will align closely to the skills covered by the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). As such, you can expect a greater focus on areas such as: Evidence-based reading and writing. Students will be asked to locate evidence within a text, analyze it and use it to support their answers. You ll see this approach used across the test. Data analysis. Students will be required to analyze graphs and charts used to illustrate information. Many of these charts will accompany career-related articles or texts, which are new to the redesigned SAT. Relevant reading passages. Rather than using obscure articles or passages, the redesigned test will include articles, texts or speeches related to great global conversations. They may be historical or contemporary in nature, and they ll focus on important issues and topics of debate. Key dates Here s when you can expect the College Board to administer the redesigned test for the first time: PSAT/NMSQT: October 2015 RSAT: Spring 2016 You can find practice questions and complete PSAT and RSAT practice tests on the College Board website.
EIGHT KEY CHANGES (you need to know) Most of the major shifts on the redesigned SAT are related to eight key changes, as the College Board is calling them. Here s a summary of those changes. CHANGE WHAT IT MEANS KEY IMPLICATION Relevant Words in Context Command of Evidence Essay Analyzing a Source Focus on Math That Matters Most Students will be asked to interpret the meaning of words based on the passages in which they re used. Students will need to demonstrate the ability to interpret, synthesize and use evidence found in sources. Students will read a passage and analyze how the author builds a persuasive argument. Students will focus primarily on: 1. Problem solving and data analysis 2. Algebra (linear equations and systems) There will be a shift from having to memorize obscure vocabulary words to learning and using highly relevant words for college and careers. This change will appear in the reading, writing and essay sections. For example, in the reading portion of the test, students will be asked to support their answers to previous questions with evidence from the passages they ve read. The new essay format more closely resembles college writing assignments. While the essay is optional, keep in mind that many colleges require it. We recommend you check the requirements for your desired colleges before taking the revised SAT. The test will focus on multi-step math topics that are highly relevant for a variety of college majors and careers. Problems Grounded in Real-World Contexts Analysis in Science and in History/Social Studies Founding Documents and Great Global Conversation No Penalty for Wrong Answers 3. Advanced math (complex equations and their manipulation) In each test section, students will answer questions directly related to college and careers. Students will apply their reading, writing, language and math skills to answer questions in science, history and social studies contexts. Each section on the test will include one text that represents either an American historical document (such as the Bill of Rights) or a global conversation about a topic. Students will earn points for the questions they answer correctly. In the math section, for example, students will complete problems that apply math in real-world scenarios. These are the reasoning skills that students need to make sense of current issues from politics, to global events, to health and environmental issues. In addition to re-enforcing skills, the College Board would like these texts to help students reflect on topics that are central to being an informed U.S. citizen. This new approach encourages students to give the best answer they have to every problem.
COMPARING THE TEST FORMATS FORMAT CURRENT SAT REDESIGNED SAT Time 3 hours and 45 minutes 3 hours + 50 minutes for optional essay Test Subjects 1. Critical Reading 2. Math 3. Writing 4. Essay (required) Score Reporting Scale ranging from 600 2400 Scale 200 800 for each test Essay results combined with multiple-choice Critical Writing section for one overall score 1. Evidence-Based Reading 2. Evidence-Based Writing 3. Math 4. Essay (optional) Incorrect Answers Penalized Not penalized Vocabulary Essay Covered through sentence completions Required Administered at beginning of test 25 minutes to complete Students required to take a position Tests writing skills Scale ranging from 400 1600 Scale 200 to 800 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math Essay results reported separately (scored 2 to 8 on each essay trait) Content based Optional Administered at end of test 50 minutes to complete Students analyze a document Tests reading, writing and analysis skills Calculators Allowed on all math test sections Allowed on one of two math sections Note: Using a calculator is a skill in itself. Students need to show they know how to use a calculator effectively, while the no calculator section will test their math fluency and technique.
DETAILS Comparing the Timing and Number of Test Items CURRENT SAT REDESIGNED SAT Section Time Allotted # of Questions Section Time Allotted # of Questions Critical Reading 70 67 Evidence- Based Reading Writing 35 49 Evidence- Based Writing 65 52 35 44 Math 70 54 Math 80 58 Essay 25 1 Essay (optional) 50 1 Total 200 minutes 171 questions Critical Reading 180 minutes (230 w/essay) 154 questions (155 w/essay) PSAT CHANGES The redesigned PSAT will reflect the changes in the redesigned SAT. However, there will be additional changes to how the PSAT assessments are configured. (See below.) TEST HIGHLIGHTS TIMING PSAT/NMSQT PSAT 10* PSAT 8/9* Intended for 10th and 11th graders Only test that may be used for National Merit Scholarship Program Same content as PSAT/NMSQT Can be offered to 10th graders in the spring Designed for 8th and 9th graders Establishes baseline as students enter high school Assesses same skills as SAT and PSAT/NMSQT in a gradeappropriate context Replaces the ReadiStep Can be used by schools to pinpoint AP potential Recommended date: October 14, 2015 Alternate date: October 28, 2015 February 22 to March 4, 2016 Fall testing: September 28, 2015 to January 29, 2016 Spring testing: February 22 to March 4, 2016 * It s likely these tests will only be offered by schools that choose to administer them.
WHICH TEST(S) TO TAKE We ve created the following table to illustrate which tests are available to your son or daughter. We ve also included our broad recommendations on which tests your teen should take, based on his or her year in school. SENIORS (CLASS OF 2016) JUNIORS (CLASS OF 2017) SOPHOMORES (CLASS OF 2018) Test Options Current SAT PSAT/NMSQT PSAT 10 RSAT Current SAT PSAT/NMSQT ACT RSAT RSAT ACT ACT Recommendation Take the: Take the: Take the: Current SAT and/or the ACT in the fall of 2015 PSAT/NMSQT in October 2015 Current SAT in January 2016 and/or ACT in spring of 2016 RSAT and/or ACT in the fall of 2016 PSAT 10 in the spring of 2016 PSAT/NMSQT in the fall of 2016 RSAT and/or ACT in the spring and fall 2017 TIP # 1 TIP # 2 Check with your teen s desired colleges first. Many colleges are still deciding whether they ll require the current SAT or the redesigned SAT. Be sure to check the specific requirements of your son s or daughter s desired colleges, so you can decide which tests make the most sense for your family: the ACT, the SAT (current or RSAT) or both. If a college does not require the RSAT, it may be wise to consider only taking the ACT or taking the current SAT before it s discontinued. Regardless, be sure your son or daughter has two opportunities to take any test before submitting applications. Consider passing on the first administration of the redesigned SAT. The first administration of the redesigned SAT could have a learning curve associated with it. For example, it s estimated it may take twice as long to get results from the first test administration. You may want to give it one cycle, rather than taking the first test in the spring of 2016, so the College Board can smooth out its processes. If your child is in a situation in which the RSAT is required for college applications due in the fall of 2016, consider having him or her take the test once in June and then once in the fall of 2016.
ACT AND SAT Test Sections Content Covered Scoring Method Other REDESIGNED SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing o Reading o Writing and Language Math Essay (optional) Reading comprehension Analysis in social studies Analysis in science Command of evidence Words in context Grammar and rhetoric Expression of ideas Math through trigonometry Essay tests reading, writing, and analysis skills Scores based on total number of correct answers Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math converted to scale ranging from 200 to 800 Optional Essay converted to 2 to 8 scale for each of the three writing traits (Reading, Analysis, Writing) Score Choice option (ability to choose which test date scores to send to colleges) Calculators allowed on one of two Math sections ACT English Math Reading Science Writing Test (optional) Standard written English Rhetoric Reading comprehension Math through trigonometry Science reasoning data analysis, interpretation, and problem solving Writing skills emphasized in high school and college composition Scores based on total number of correct answers English, Math, Reading, and Science converted to scores between 1-36 Optional Writing test scored on 1-36 scale and four scores of 2-12 for each domain of writing competency (Ideas and Analysis, Development and Support, Organization, and Language Use and Conventions) * Score Choice option (ability to choose which test date scores to send to colleges) Calculators allowed on Math only *This information pertains to the Enhanced Writing Test, which will be administered for the first time in September 2016.
Sylvan Is Right There With You You aren t alone in figuring out the changes and prepping for the new test format! Sylvan is here to help. Our SAT and ACT prep programs are available year-round. Plus, starting in January 2016, we ll offer courses to help your son or daughter prepare for the first administration of the redesigned SAT in the spring. Our test prep programs are a great way to raise your teen s test scores and reduce test-day anxiety. We use a proven mix of small-group instruction, independent online learning and practice tests to help teens learn strategies for every type of exam question and to strengthen their biggest need areas. Many of our students master the skills they need to raise their scores in just five to eight weeks. Bring on bigger scores and confidence! Call 888-338-2283 or visit SylvanLearning.com to find a center near you.