Listen up freshmen, sophomores and juniors, because the SAT is changing in a big way. After the February 20, 2016 administration, you can wave goodbye to the old ways of the infamous standardized test administered by College Board.
The new SAT’s changes will take effect on the March 5, 2016 testing day, and include a time change from three hours and 45 minutes (three hours and 20 minutes for the main part of the test followed by a required 25 minute essay) to only three hours (plus 50 minutes for the optional essay). The current, soon to be old, SAT is scored from 600-2400 points including the essay. But a new scale will become the norm soon, as the new test is scored from 400-1600 with the essay scored separately. In addition, there will no longer be any penalty for wrong answers– so guess away!
These changes to the age-old standardized test can appear beneficial to students. Junior Veeraj Shah believes that these changes are simply because of “the SAT trying to align more to the ACT.” The new SAT’s no incorrect answer penalty policy and optional essay will follow after the ACT, another common standardized test for college entry. Shah also feels that the changes “are making [the SAT] more difficult,” but is relieved by the change in penalty for wrong answers, saying that losing points for a wrong answer brings “too much of a strategic side.” In other words, losing points makes you focus not on actually answering the questions, but rather on the mere game or strategy of taking the test.
The updated SAT administration will begin on March 5, 2016; it is a good idea to start preparing to take it. Most SPHS students have already had a glimpse of the new SAT, as the PSAT this school year was modeled after the upcoming test. Further preparation can be made by taking the SAT prep class, running through practice questions online available on the CollegeBoard website, or using Khan Academy. Khan Academy has teamed up with Collegeboard to make videos and practice tests to help students prepare for the new test. Check out collegeboard.org and khanacademy.org for more information on how to register or prepare for the test.
