The SAT has reigned as one of America’s most influential and impactful tests since the College Board administered its first multiple-choice college entrance exam back in 1926. As you’d expect, the exam has changed quite a bit over nearly a century of notoriety and number 2 pencils. This newest revision, however, may say more about the SAT’s future than its storied past.
That the SAT is changing should come as no surprise to anyone at least marginally connected to students in high school. The College Board has been releasing information over time towards two important deadlines:
October 2015: Students will take the new format PSAT.
March 2016: Students will begin taking the new format SAT.
This means that students in the high school graduating class of 2017 will be the first to take the new SAT if they choose. Of course, they don’t have to, since any of these students can take the current format SAT through January 2016 and the substantially unchanged ACT at any time. But knowing what lies ahead makes such momentous decisions easier to make. So over the next two weeks, we’ll be unveiling what we know, and more importantly what we think, about the new SAT.
WHAT’S THE SAME?
The SAT is still a timed standardized test challenging critical reading, math, grammar, and writing ability.
WHAT’S NEW?
This SAT now focuses on different skills and content areas than previous iterations.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Students approaching this test as they did the previous one will find themselves confused and unprepared in many essential areas. This is a new test, both structurally and philosophically.
Mike Bergin