The SAT/“New” SAT/ACT

Why did the College Board decide to change the SAT?

  • In 2012, the ACT surpassed the SAT as the most popular college entrance exam for the 1st time and has been #1 ever since.
  • The SAT is trying to align more to Common Core Standards
  • March 2016- “New” SAT will take effect

Current SAT / New SAT / ACT
Sections /
  • Critical Reading,
  • Math,
  • Writing (required essay)
/
  • Math,
  • Reading,
  • Writing (optional essay)
Science passages embedded in all sections. /
  • English,
  • Math,
  • Reading,
  • Science,
  • Writing (optional essay)

Time / 3 hours 45 minutes / 3 hours, +50 minutes with essay (optional) / 2 hours 55 min, +30 minutes with essay (optional)
Answering / 5 answer options,
¼ point deduction for incorrect answer / 4 answer options, no point deduction / 4 answer options, no point deduction
Scoring / Out of 2400: 800 per section / Out of 1600: 800 Math, 800 Reading/Writing (optional) / Out of 36: 36 per section that is then averaged for Composite
Math Section /
  • 2- 25-minute sections
  • 1- 20-minute section.
  • 44 multiple choice questions
  • 10 grid-ins.
  • Calculator allowed on all sections.
/ Two sections- 80 minutes:
  • 1- calculator allowed,
  • 1-no calculator
Less Geometry, more Algebra, Pre-Calculus & Trigonometry added / 1- 60-question, 60-minute section.
Tests Pre-Algebra through Trigonometry.
Calculator allowed entire time.
Reading Section /
  • Vocabulary sentence completion
  • 7 short and long reading passages.
/ 5 passages: 2 with charts/diagrams, 1 historic document
No more sentence completion or complicated vocabulary / 4 long passages with questions that require students to recall what they read.
Questions in random order
Science Section / No Science section / No Science section
Science-related passages will be peppered throughout the exam / Science section covers reasoning, charts and graphs, and hypothesis.

So…Which one should I take this year or even next year for that matter?

  • The “old” SAT no longer exists so the option would have to be either the “New” SAT or ACT
  • If you are strong in Math and Science, you might want to try your hand at the SAT since there is now less Geometry but Trig and Pre-Calculus added

On the other hand,

suggest that the ACT is the way to go because:

  • Scoring comparisons for old and new tests won’t be readily available, so students in the class of 2017 who have taken the old and new tests won’t really have a sense of how they’re doing until then.
  • Class of 2017 students should really just stick to the ACT because of this.
  • Colleges will have to figure out how to compare the new and old scores for students who took both tests, and while they’ll use the concordance table and will accept both scores, it’s safer to take the ACT to avoid the uncertainty involved in how The College Board will create the concordance.
  • Scores will be delayed. Students who take the first test in March 2016 won’t receive their scores until after the May 2016 test has taken place, as The College Board needs to calibrate their scoring by comparing the two exams.
  • All four-year colleges that accept the SAT also accept the ACT. In fact, as far as colleges are concerned, the ACT and the SAT are interchangeable. So, taking the ACT instead of the SAT will not affect your admissions chances.

Whichever test you take is absolutely up to you! Knowledge is power, though.

Websites for “New” SAT Practice Tests:

  • College Board (Makers of the SAT):
  • Ivy Global:
  • 4Tests:
  • Prep Scholar:
  • Khan Academy:

Websites for ACT Practice Tests:

  • Ivy Global:
  • 4Tests:
  • PowerScore:
  • McGraw-Hill Education:
  • ACT (Scroll down to the bottom for the free practice questions):

What is the PSAT and Why Take It?

  • ThePSATis a two-hour test given once a year in October.
  • Many studentstake the PSAT, not only as preparation for the SAT taken in junior and senior year and widely used as a major criterion for college admissions, but also to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Competition.

What are National Merit Scholarships? The National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses scores on PSAT to qualify semifinalists who are then considered for National Merit Scholarship competition. Qualifying scores are only for those Juniors (11th graders) who sit for the test. Recognition by the National Merit program provides a monetary award and can often be leveraged to secure additional scholarships.

Good scores can indicate performance on the SAT:The PSAT is a terrific way to familiarize yourself with the structure, content and process of taking the SAT and get a sense of how you'll perform on the actual exam. Your score can show you which subjects you may not be particularly strong in, regardless of your grades in related classes.

Doing well can provide a big confidence boost:Test anxiety and a fear of the unknown can have a negative impact on students taking the SAT for the first time. However, if you've already done well on the PSAT, you'll be at a distinct advantage.

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