New SAT A Topic Of Concern To Parents And Students

The new SAT will soon be a big concern for parents and students. They will need to decide whether to stay with a radically revised version of the popular test or join the growing numbers switching to the more straightforward and known quantity of the ACT. 

The SAT is set to undergo a significant revision in March 2016, as is the PSAT in the fall of 2015, with changes to scoring, format and questions. 

There are always problems with new test roll-outs, so Key Academics is advising an ACT-first mindset for the class of 2017, the first to potentially take the new SAT. The ACT is a relatively stable test with minor changes planned for fall 2015 to the essay and math sections. All in all, there’s a lot to like about the ACT, especially for rising juniors.

The SAT changes every 10 years or so. In 1995 it was re-centered so 500 could continue to approximate the mean score. In 2005, the test was changed to Critical Reading, Math and Writing, for 2400 points, while eliminating analogies and quantitative analysis. 

The updated SAT reflects an emphasis on problem-solving instead of rote memorization, as well as a closer alignment to the type of material and instruction seen in the highest level high school courses. The test will return to a 400 to 1600 scale, there will be no penalty for wrong answers, and the expanded essay will be optional.

​The new SAT will also include:

• Reading and Writing tests that require students to cite evidence for their answers;
• A Math test that emphasizes algebra, de-emphasizes geometry and puts more questions in a real-world context; and 
• Questions and content that better reflect the work that students undertake in the best high school courses.

Market share is a huge driver of the latest SAT change. In 2010, 1.57 million students took the ACT and 1.5 million the SAT. And the ACT now has assessment contracts in 17 states versus three for the SAT.

Students taking the ACT in September 2015 will also see changes. They’ll need to prepare for a more complex essay and some alterations in the Reading and Mathematics tests. They will receive new scores for English language arts and the combined fields of science and mathematics.

For assistance in selecting which test will maximize results, as well as information regarding comprehensive tutoring programs that teach test-taking strategies and content, please contact Key Academics at 610-940-1625 or visit www.keyacademics.com.