'Should I take the new SAT, the old SAT, or the ACT?'

“Should I take the #SAT or the #ACT?”

That decision is becoming tougher than ever.

A new SAT debuts in March 2016, and it will look a lot different from the current version. A revamped PSAT debuted in September, and for students who liked that test it makes good sense to take the new SAT.

Many others don’t want to be the first to take the new test, though. So they are registering by Dec. 28 for the final sitting of the old test on Jan. 23.

The new SAT will stress questions and content designed, the College Board says, to reflect the work that students undertake in the best high school courses. The test draws heavily from the Common Core benchmarks adopted by many states.

Instead of three sections, there will be two: Math and Evidence Based Reading and Writing. The Math test emphasizes algebra, de-emphasizes geometry, and puts more questions in a real world context. The Reading and Writing test requires students to cite evidence for their answers. The essay will be more complex, and optional, although most colleges will expect applicants to write one.

Each section will be scored on a 200 to 800 scale for a total of 1600 points instead of 2400. There will no longer be a penalty for guessing, and the number of possible answers will decrease from five to four.

While the College Board has been making big changes to the SAT, the ACT implemented minor changes this fall, including new subscores and minor changes to the math section. The biggest change is to the essay prompt, which now asks students to evaluate multiple viewpoints on a complex issue and develop their own positions. 

The ACT is a stable, proven, straightforward test that is now accepted at every college and university. Since 2010, in fact, it has achieved a bigger market share than the SAT. All in all, there’s a lot to like about the ACT, and for many students it makes sense to consider an ACT-first mindset for now.

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.