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What to expect from the new SAT

By on August 7, 2015

Most parents with children at international schools already know that the College Board has redesigned SAT and is set to start in 2016. This will be the first SAT upgrade since 2005 when the essay portion was first introduced. But before students and parents start panicking, here’s a brief summary of how the new content differs from the current one.

SAT

The current buzz in the education industry is that the new SAT will be far more difficult compared to the current one. Possible scores on the present SAT is anywhere between the 600-2400 range but the new SAT will go back to the 1,600-point scale from 2016.

Essay

Unlike in the current SAT design where students are graded on nothing other than verboseness, the essay portion in the new SAT will now require students to use analysis and present evidence to back up an existing argument which is a big improvement. It will measure a writer’s reasoning skills and logic to assess one’s readiness for college.

Reading and Writing

Passage-based questions for which students are not required to show work has also changed. In support of an answer selected in the new set-up, students will be required to cite evidence. Each exam will feature a passage from a founding document in American history or from a text that is part of the “great global conversation.” This could prove very challenging for international students and most especially to those who were not fluent readers.

Math

In the case of Math, the test questions are focused on three fundamental areas: linear equations and mathematical functions, complex equations, and ratios/percents/proportion compared to the current one which is a survey of different levels of high school math. ‘No calculator rule’ for some sections is clearly a game changer and may put students who have little or lack of prior training in how the current SAT works, off balance. For many years, the SAT has dominated the college admissions process in the U.S. and while overhauling the SAT is a good sign that things are positively evolving , the scholastic success of children require further support by schools and parents. The new test design means children aiming for admission to top universities will have to come up with a new game plan.

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