Most students taking the first administration of the redesigned #SAT in March will end the test by writing an essay. The optional 50-minute assignment is a significant departure from the 25-minute SAT essay of the past decade. The new test requires students to read a high-quality argumentative text and then analyze how the author builds the argument to persuade an audience.
The College Board admits that its essay section has not contributed to the overall predictive ability of the test in the past. As a result, it has made the new essay optional. Colleges will decide for themselves whether they will require it, recommend it, or neither.
So far, about 400 U.S. colleges have responded to a College Board survey on how they intend to use the revised SAT essay. While some schools believe the essay will be useful, many do not. Roughly 25 percent of respondents report that they intend to require or recommend the essay in their applications. The other 75 percent report they will neither require nor recommend the essay.
Many of the most selective schools in the country fall into the “require” or “recommend” category. (See the College Board list here.)
Will the essay be used in admissions decisions? This question, of course, is different from whether a college will require the essay. For now, most schools will probably adopt a wait-and-see approach over the next two to three years as they study its predictive ability.
Key Academics recommends that students cover their bases and do the SAT essay. While it probably won’t initially carry much weight in most admissions decisions, opting into the essay is the safest choice based on current information. Students typically apply to five to 10 schools, and given the differing policies, odds are that at least a few of those schools will want the essay.
Key Academics stays on top of the latest news and trends in the changing testing landscape. To discuss testing options, please call 610-940-1600 or email ceo@keyacademics.com.
