The Redesigned SAT: Important Changes to Know
In March of 2016, the College Board launched the redesigned version of the SAT. This new SAT underwent some significant changes, and it is important to understand how these changes will impact you as your begin your college applications.
Scoring
The scoring has reverted back to the 1600 scale instead of the previous scale of 2400. The SAT has two primary sections: evidence based reading & writing, and math. Each of these two sections are worth 800 points. The essay section no longer is part of the total score. The new SAT also provides sub scores for the following sections: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. These sub scores range from 10 to 40.
From the 2015-16 Counselor Resource Guide to the Redesigned Assessments
For this coming year, most college admissions offices will be converting your new SAT to an old SAT score. You can also convert your own score from the old SAT to the new SAT or from the new SAT to the old SAT. To convert your score, you can use the College Board's Score Converter or download free the SAT Score Converter app for Apple or Android devices.
Essay Analyzing a Source
Perhaps one of the biggest changes to the SAT is that the essay section is now optional. You should consult the colleges you are interested in to see if they will require the essay portion of the SAT. There is a cost difference if you choose to take the essay portion. Without the essay, the SAT costs $45. With the essay, the test is $57. Keep in mind, fee waivers are available for students on free and reduced lunch. These fee waivers will cover the cost of the essay.
The other big change with the essay section is that the prompt will ALWAYS be the same. On the right is a sample of the prompt. While the reading sample will vary from test to test, this prompt will remain the same. This means it is much easier to practice writing an SAT style essay ahead of the test time. I strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with this essay prompt as part of your SAT preparations.
No Penalty for Wrong Answers
The change that has been most popular is that there is no longer a point deduction for wrong answers. Points are now only awarded based on the number of questions answered correctly. This means that you can guess with a little more confidence, knowing that a wrong answer will not hurt your score.
Context
The Redesigned SAT places a large emphasis on context, particularly in terms of vocabulary and the structure that makes up questions.
Vocabulary: Instead of having to memorize hundreds of vocabulary words, the test now
focuses on being able to determine the meaning of a word based on the surrounding context. It is safe to say that the vocabulary used on the test will reflect more commonly used words instead of more lengthy and obscure terms.
Question Structure: Questions will be formatted to more closely reflect the type of work you will be doing in college and in a future career.
"The Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section includes questions on literature and literary nonfiction, but also features charts, graphs, and passages like the ones students are likely to encounter in science, social science, and other majors and careers.
Questions on the Writing and Language Test ask you to do more than correct errors; they ask you to edit, revise, and improve texts from the humanities, history, social science, science, and career contexts.
The Math section features multistep applications to solve problems in science, social science, career scenarios, and other real-life situations. The test sets up a scenario and asks several questions that give you the opportunity to dig in and model it mathematically."
Math that Matters
The Redesigned SAT will now focus on three main areas for math: Problem Solving and Data Analysis; the Heart of Algebra; and Passport to Advanced Math. In short, the test will focus more on algebra and less on geometry. You can get more specifics on the changes to the math section here.
Science and History/Social Studies
While there will not be any questions that ask you about the number of electrons on Technetium or what year Columbus arrived in America, you will be asked to analyze various texts and graphics. The College Board states: "Questions will require you to read and understand texts, revise texts to be consistent with data presented in graphics, synthesize information presented through texts and graphics, and solve problems that are grounded in science and social science." So don't go memorizing the Periodic Table just yet!
Global Conversation
Last, but not least, comes the Global Conversation. This section revolves around the founding documents of the United States and the global conversation that has evolved from them on topics such as freedom, justice, and human dignity.
