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The Current & New SAT How the Changes Affect You
The Current & New SAT
How the Changes Affect You
Today’s Agenda
Introduction – Susan Kim, C2 Vice President
College Admissions
Current vs. New SAT
Understanding Test Scores
C2 Education
Three Focal Points
• GPA/Strength of coursework
• Standardized Test Scores
• Extracurricular Activities
4
• PSAT (9th, 10th, 11th)
• SAT I
• or ACT with Writing Section • SAT II (subject tests)
• AP Exams
New SAT Test in Spring 2016 Who Does This Affect?
Current 11th graders
Current 10th graders
Current 9th graders
Current 8th graders
You will be taking the current SAT
Current SAT until Fall of Junior year
Current SAT until Fall of Sophomore
Starting Spring of your Junior year,
NEW SAT
NEW SAT in Junior & Senior
Year NEW SAT
Current PSAT New PSAT New PSAT New PSAT
The Current SAT
Total Time: 3 hours & 45 minutes
The New SAT
Total Time: 3 hours
Total Time with Essay: 3 hours & 50 minutes
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Current SAT New SAT Focus
Focus on general reasoning Focus on reasoning plus on knowledge, skills, and understanding
Structure Mathematics (3-4 sections) Math (2 sections)
Critical Reading (3-4) Evidence-Based Reading & Writing •Reading Test •Writing & Language Test Writing
•Multiple Choice (2 sections) •Essay Essay
Timing Total 3 hours & 45 minutes Total 3 hours (plus 50 min essay)
Scoring Total: 600 - 2400 Total: 400 - 1600 Mathematics: 200-800 Math 200-800
Critical Reading: 200-800 Reading & Writing 200-800
Writing 200-800 Essay score stands by itself
Questions 5 answer choices Incorrect answers penalized
4 answer choices No penalty for wrong answers
Current SAT New SAT Math
Emphasis on problem solving Emphasis on real-world problem solving & application of knowledge and skills
Calculator permitted No calculator for part of the test
Up to Algebra II Up to Pre-Calculus
Reading Random mix of fiction & non-fictions passages
College-level passages in U.S. & world literature, science, history
Emphasis on comprehension & analysis of passages
Emphasis on comprehension, analysis & evidence based on passages and informational graphics
Components of the Test
Components of the Test
Current SAT New SAT Writing Isolated mix of grammar, usage,
and mechanics questions
Passages with accompanying grammar, usage, mechanics, and “expression of ideas” questions
Essay score together Scored separately from essay
Essay Required, first section Optional, last section
Construct an argument Analyze a passage’s argument
NEW SAT is aligned to the spirit of the Common Core. The Common Core State Standards are a set of learning standards that have been adopted by most states. These standards will help to ensure that students from different states master the same skills in each grade level.
Understanding Test Report
The Current SAT Scaled/Composite Score
Current SAT Reading Test
Define your Reading level - Question Difficulty Level 1 to 5
Emphasis on comprehension & analysis of passages - Build critical reading skills - Focus on your problem area
Current SAT Math Test
Define your Math level - Level 1 to 5
Emphasis on Word Problems! Algebra I & II, Geometry - Review weak areas
The Current SAT Writing Test
Isolated mix of grammar, usage, and mechanics questions
*Essay score is integrated into Writing score (200-800)
*Additional subscores reported for the essay (range from 2 to 12)
The New SAT Insight Scores
Heart of Algebra – Application (Creating/Building)
• The student needs to demonstrate “procedural skill” by analyzing & creating linear equations and inequalities.
• Does the student know how to “speak” math?
Heart of Algebra – Fluency (Solving)
The student needs to analyze and fluently solve equations and systems of equations using multiple techniques.
Does the student know how to “do” the math?
Passport to Advanced Math – Procedural (Creating)
The student is required to demonstrate an understanding of the structure of expressions and the ability to analyze, manipulate/rewrite these expressions.
Does the student know how to “speak” math?
Passport to Advanced Math – Skill/Fluency (Solving)
The student needs to analyze and solve expressions, including quadratic and higher-order equations in one variable and understand the graphs of quadratic and higher-order functions.
Does the student know how to “do” the math?
So What Does This Mean?
Math will be more challenging! – Fewer topics but you’ll need more in-depth knowledge!
Your Problem Solving Skills will need to be
stronger – There will be multiple ways to solve a problem, but you’ll
need to decide the “optimal” path to solving a problem – Mental Math will be required for No-Calculator sections
Word Problems, word problems, word problems!
– With a focus on “Real World” scenarios, you’ll be seeing far more graphs, charts, and word problems!
Reading Test: Information & Ideas
These questions focus on the informational content of text.
The student needs to use “close reading” (aka active reading) to determine (directly or indirectly stated) meaning, central ideas, and themes of the passage.
Reading Test: Summarizing
These questions focus on the student’s ability to identify a reasonable summary of a text or of key information and ideas in text.
The student needs to identify summaries of the text, relationships between parts of the text (e.g.: cause-effect or comparison), and determine meaning of words or phrases based on the context.
Reading Test: Rhetoric
These questions focus on the rhetorical analysis of text.
The student needs to analyze the passage’s word choice and text structure, along with analyzing the author’s point of view, purpose, and argument (how the author builds, structures, and supports the argument).
Reading Test: Synthesis
These questions focus on synthesizing multiple sources of information.
The student will need to “synthesize” (which means to combine ideas – usually from different sources) ideas from either a “paired passage” set or from a “passage plus informational graphic” set (i.e. charts, graphs, or tables).
So What Does This Mean?
Reading will be harder! – When was the last time you read a speech from a U.S. Senator or
Supreme Court Justice?
No such thing as “Skimming”! – “Close Reading Skills” require lots of practice & long-term
development
“Reading” isn’t enough – deeper interpretation matters!
– Do you carefully read the charts found in your textbook for subjects like history & science? What about those pesky charts used in newspaper articles?
Writing Test: Expression of Ideas - Development
These questions focus on revising text in relation to rhetorical purpose.
While reading, the student needs to ask him/herself questions like…
– How is the author designing his argument?
– What is being proposed? – What is used to support it? – Are the details focused towards
the argument? – Is there any quantitative
information to support the argument?
Writing Test: Expression of Ideas – Organization
These questions focus on revision of text to improve the logic and cohesion of text at the sentence, paragraph, and whole-text levels.
While reading, the student needs to ask him/herself questions like…
– How is the author organizing the passage?
– Is the passage, as a whole, organized in a logical order?
– Are the paragraphs organized in a logical order?
– Do the paragraphs flow smoothly from one to the other?
Writing Test: Expression of Ideas – Effective Language Use
These questions focus on revision of text to improve the use of language to accomplish particular rhetorical purposes.
While reading, the student needs to ask him/herself questions like…
– How is the author using phrasing and word choice to accurately, clearly, and concisely state the intended message?
– How does the wording and sentence structure affect the style and tone of the passage?
Writing Test: Standard English Conventions – Sentence Structure
These questions focus on editing text to correct problems in sentence formation and inappropriate shifts in construction within and between sentences.
Standard English Conventions – Conventions of Usage
These questions focus on editing text to ensure conformity to the conventions of standard written English usage.
Standard of English Conventions – Conventions of Punctuation
These questions focus on editing text to ensure conformity to the conventions of standard written English punctuation.
So What Does This Mean?
Writing will be harder! – You have only 35 minutes for 4 passages (44 total questions) – You’ll need to read passages, revise word usage, grammar, &
sentence structure – much like revising a research paper!
You’ll need multiple skills – Strong vocabulary, command of evidence, using charts & graphs,
Essay is scored separately & won’t help your writing
score! – You need strong rhetoric & composition skills
Essay- Writing
Focus and Organization – Does the essay have a
clear point? Is the essay organized?
Written Expression – Does the essay
demonstrate effective use of word choice, sentence structure, and tone?
Conventions – Does the essay have
grammar errors?
So What Does This Mean?
The essay will be more challenging and complex! – You need to engage with a passage rather than rely on generic
responses
You’ll need multiple skills – You’ll need to use CLOSE READING skills – You’ll need to use ANALYSIS skills (argumentation, style, diction,
literary devices) – You’ll need to use WRITING skills
It’s not truly “optional”
– The best colleges will require it!
Start Studying Now!
Take a Practice Test & Create a Study Plan!
PREPARING EARLY is no longer optional
for the New SAT!
C2 wrote the book on the New, harder SAT.
Questions?
