The Scholastic Aptitude Test will be completely different by the time current freshman and sophomores will have to take it.Changes to the SAT are being made to make the test go from four sections to three by 2016.
Some changes include giving students the option to take the SAT on a computer or in print, the test will be scored on a 400 to 1600 point scale and will consist of three main sections and an optional essay and students will be tested on an Evidence-Based Reading, a Writing section and a Math section. Each section will be scored on a 200 to 800 point scale each, and essays will be graded separately.
English teacher Grady Elrod said the numbers don’t matter, the changes to the scoring of the SAT will have no effect on college admissions because colleges will continue to only accept a certain percentage of students that apply.
“Sounds like changes to the SAT will make the scores less relevant,” said Elrod.
The new SAT will include words that are more relevant in the context. They will be asked to determine the meaning of a word based on how they appear in a passage. This change was made in order to prepare students for future high school and college classes by teaching them how to understand what they read fully.
In the redesigned SAT, students will be asked to demonstrate their ability to interpret, synthesize, and use evidence found in a wide range of sources, which includes informational graphics and multi-paragraph passages taken from literature and literary nonfiction, texts in the humanities, science, history, social studies and career-related sources. Each passage will have at least one question that asks the student to choose a quote that supports the answer to the question prior. Paragraphs and sentences will be provided and then asked to be corrected grammatically or interpreted.
The newly designed essay section will focus on interpreting what the author is saying in a given excerpt rather than answering an opinionated question based off of a prompt. Students will have to use quotes from the passage in order to support their claims. This is redesigned in order to help students and teachers improve in close reading, analyzing and supporting written material. For the new SAT, the essay will be optional and the prompt will be revealed in advance.
Math will be focused on three different areas: problem solving/data analysis, the heart of algebra and passport to advanced math. Problem solving and data analysis includes using ratios, percentages, and proportional reasoning to solve problems. The heart of algebra will include questions that require linear equations and systems. Passport to advanced math questions will focus on questions that make students apply previous knowledge to more advanced math problems.
Unlike the current version of the SAT, the redesigned SAT will give no penalty for questions that are answered incorrectly. This change was made in order to ensure that students give the best answer they can on every question.
Senior Kevin Kuhl said “I would study less and score higher if the essays are optional. We’re getting easier words and easier math; I will make a high score as an average student.”
Changes to the SAT are designed to help students prepare for college and for the work force. The new questions on the SAT will be designed based off of some of the best teachers assignments.
