The New SAT ® What Does It Mean for Students?. 3The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 The New SAT Focuses on College Success ™ Skills

The New SAT®

What Does It Mean for Students?

3 The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004

The New SAT Focuses on College Success™ Skills

• Critical Reading

• Mathematics

• Writing

The SAT® tests students’ reasoning based on knowledge and skills developed through their course work.

It measures their ability to analyze and solve problems by applying what they have learned in school.


Time Frame

•October 2004: New PSAT/NMSQT®

•March 2005: New SAT


Time FrameClass of 2006 will take new SAT

• Class of 2005—current seniors

• Current SAT as seniors in fall 2004

• New SAT as seniors in March 2005 (if necessary)

• Class of 2006—current juniors

• New PSAT/NMSQT as juniors in fall 2004

• New SAT as juniors in March 2005 and later

• New SAT as seniors


Has the SAT Ever Changed Before? • Yes, the SAT has changed several times since

it was first administered in 1926.

• The SAT evolves to meet the changing needs of students, teachers, and colleges.

• The most recent changes were made in 1994. (Adding writing to the SAT was recommended but not possible in 1994 due to inadequate technology and lack of large number of readers needed.)


Why Is the SAT Changing?• To better reflect today’s classroom

practices and curriculum by replacing analogies with short reading passages and quantitative comparisons with more math problems, some including content from third-year college-preparatory math

• To reinforce the importance of writing skills

• To help colleges make better admissions and placement decisions


Will the New SAT Be Harder?• No, the new SAT will be designed so that a student who could

score a 500 on the math section (for example) of the current SAT could score a 500 on the math section of the new test.

• 97% of college-bound students complete 3 years of math, so the test will more closely measure the math they are already studying.

• Extensive field trials confirmed that students are taking more upper level math, which is why the overall difficulty of the test is not affected.

• While the test is longer, field trials also confirmed that the increased length of the test has no impact on the students’ scores.


The Changes to the SAT and the PSAT/NMSQT®

Verbal

• Name will be changed to critical reading.

• Analogies will be eliminated.

• Short reading passages will replace analogies and will measure the kind of reasoning formerly measured by analogies.


The Changes to the SAT and the PSAT/NMSQTAnalogies will be ELIMINATED

CLAY:POTTER::

(A) stone:sculptor

(B) machines:mechanic

(C) hems:tailor

(D) bricks:architect

(E) chalk:teacherCorrect answer: A


Revised SAT Verbal Section–Renamed Critical ReadingExample of passage-based analogical reasoning itemsThe relationship between the “spectroscope” and a “star’s chemical composition” (lines 37–38) is most like the relationship between

(A) a periscope and a submarine

(B) a microscope and a cellular structure

(C) a generator and an electrical charge

(D) a test tube and an experiment

Correct answer: B


The Changes to the SAT and the PSAT/NMSQT

Math

• Quantitative comparisons will be eliminated.

• The content is being expanded to reflect the mathematics that college-bound students typically learn during their first three yearsof high school.

• The reasoning aspects of the test together with the expanded contentwill more effectively assess the mathematics necessary for student success in college.

• Math content on the PSAT/NMSQT will also be enhanced, but it will not include Algebra II because most students will not be familiar with that level of math.


The Changes to the SAT and the PSAT/NMSQTQuantitative comparisons will be ELIMINATED

The Roadside Diner cuts its cakes into 12 servings each.

A.The number of these cakes B. 6needed to make 78 servings

(A) The quantity in column A is greater;

(B) The quantity in column B is greater;

(C) The two quantities are equal;

(D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Correct answer: A



Writing

• Multiple-choice grammar and usage questions

• Will measure the student’s understanding of how to use language in a clear, consistent manner, how to revise and edit, and how to recognize an error in a sentence.

• Student-written essay (SAT only)

• Will measure the student’s use of language: logical presentation of ideas, development of a point of view, and clarity of expression under timed conditions.

• Essay practice tool provided AT NO COST to all schools administering the PSAT/NMSQT.



Skills Feedback

• The PSAT/NMSQT provides individualized feedback to students through its Score Report Plus.

• The College Board is developing a similar tool for the SAT.

SkillsFeedbackScore Report Plus

16


PSAT/NMSQTScore Report Plus

• Tells students how their scores compare to those of other sophomores or juniors

• Tells students what SAT score ranges they can expect

• Includes a question-by-question breakdown

• Helps students identify strengths and weaknesses, and provides tips on how to improve specific skills


PSAT/NMSQT Score Report PlusNew in 2004

Students will use their Score Report Plus code to access free enhancements online at www.collegeboard.com/psatextra for:

• Complete explanations for all answers, including why some answers were wrong.

• Full explanations of answers for additional higher-level math practice SAT questions on the back of the PSAT/NMSQT score report.

• Entire SAT essay scoring guide, plus actual sample essay papers at every score point for the practice essay on the back of the PSAT/NMSQT score report.

http://www.collegeboard.com/psatextra


Skills FeedbackScore Report Plus

Improve Your Skills—Examples

• Being precise and clear

• How to improve: Learn to recognize sentence elements that are ambiguous and confusing. In your writing, choose words carefully and connect them for clear meaning. See questions 4, 6, 8.

• Understanding geometry and coordinate geometry

• How to improve: Review geometry units in your textbook involving perimeter, area, volume, circumference, angles, lines, and slope. Familiarize yourself with the formulas given at the beginning of math sections of the set. See questions 7, 13, 19.


Time SpecificationsPSAT/NMSQT

Current PSAT/NMSQT

New PSAT/NMSQT

2 hours 10 minutes 2 hours 10 minutes

Critical Reading

50 minutes

Two 25-minute sections

50 minutes


Math50 minutes


50 minutes


Writing30 minutes

One 30-minute multiple-choice section

30 minutes

One 30-minute multiple-choice section


Time SpecificationsSAT

Current SAT New SAT

3 hours 3 hours 45 minutes

Critical Reading

75 minutes

Two 30-minute sections and one 15-minute section

70 minutes

Two 25-minute sections and

one 20-minute section

Math75 minutes

Two 30-minute sections and one 15-minute section

70 minutes

Two 25-minute sections and

one 20-minute section

Writing

60 minutesTwo multiple-choice sections (one 25-minute section and one 10-minute section) and one 25-minute essay

Variable Section

30 minutes 25 minutes


Test Content and Question Types

Current SAT New SAT

Critical

Reading

Sentence Completion

Critical Reading: Long reading passages

Analogies

Sentence Completion

Critical Reading: Short and long reading passages

Math

Multiple-choice items, student-produced responses, and quantitative comparisons measuring:

Number and Operations

Algebra I and Functions

Geometry; and Statistics, Probability, and Data Analysis

Multiple-choice items and student-produced responses measuring:

Number and Operations

Algebra I, II, and Functions

Geometry; and Statistics, Probability, and Data Analysis

Writing

Multiple-choice: Improving sentences and paragraphs and identifying errors

Student-written essay: Effectively communicate a point of view on an issue, supporting a position with reasoning and examples


Test Scores

Current SAT

New SAT

Critical Reading

V 200–800 CR 200–800

Math M 200–800 M 200–800

Writing

W 200–800

Will include 2 subscores:

Essay 2–12

(1/3 of writing score)

Multiple-choice 20–80

(2/3 of writing score)

A Closer Look at the Changesto the SAT

Critical Reading

Mathematics

Writing


Revised SAT Verbal Section—Renamed Critical ReadingStrengthens alignment with classroom practices • Measures knowledge of genre, cause and effect, rhetorical

devices, comparative arguments, and the ability to recognize relationships among parts of a text

• Long and short reading passages are taken from different fields:

• Natural sciences

• Humanities

• Social science

• Literary fiction

• Short reading passages, which replace analogies measure the kind of reasoning formerly measured by the analogy section.


The Critical Reading SectionExample of new short paragraph reading items

Dinosaurs have such a powerful grip on the public consciousness that it is easy to forget just howrecently scientists have become aware of them. A two-year-old child today may be able to rattle offthree dinosaur names, but in 1824 there was onlyone known dinosaur. Period. The word “dinosaur”didn’t even exist until 1841. Indeed, in those earlyyears, the world was baffled by the discovery ofthese absurdly enormous creatures.

(continued)

Line 5


The Critical Reading SectionExample of new short paragraph reading items

1. The reference to the “two-year-old child” (line 4) primarily serves to(A) challenge a popular assumption(B) highlight the extent of the change(C) suggest that a perspective is simplistic(D) introduce a controversial idea(E) question a contemporary preoccupation

Correct answer: B

2. The statement “Period” (line 6) primarily serves to emphasize the(A) authoritative nature of the finding(B) lack of flexibility in a popular theory(C) stubborn nature of a group of researchers(D) limited knowledge about a subject(E) refusal of the public to accept new discoveries

Correct answer: D


Math Section Measures problem-solving skills

• Emphasis on math reasoning: SAT math measures the ability to apply math content to real-life problems.

• SAT is unique in having some “grid-in” questions requiring student-produced responses—as recommended by NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics).

• Approximately 15–20% of math questions on thenew SAT and 15% of math questions on the new PSAT/NMSQT will either cover new topics or willcover existing topics in greater depth.


Most Four-Year Colleges Require 3 Years of Math for Admission• 70% of all high school students finish

Algebra II.

• 97% of college-bound students complete 3 years of math, and 69% complete 4 ormore years of math.

• 92% of minority college-bound students complete 3 years of math.


Calculator Policy• A scientific or graphing calculator will be

recommended for the new tests.

• Though every question can still be answered without a calculator, calculators are definitely encouraged.

• Previously, a basic 4-function calculator was recommended, but now scientific is the base level recommendation.

• Students should bring a calculator with which they are comfortable and familiar.


The Enhanced Math Section

Expanded Number and Operations topics will include:

• Sequences involving exponential growth

• Sets (union, intersection, elements)

Expanded Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probabilitytopics will include:

• Data interpretation, scatterplots, and matrices

• Geometric probability


The Enhanced Math SectionExpanded Algebra topics will include the following:

• Absolute value

• Rational equations and inequalities

• Radical equations

• Integer and rational exponents

• Direct and inverse variation

• Function notation

• Concepts of domain and range

• Functions as models

• Linear functions—equations and graphs

• Quadratic functions—equations and graphs


The Enhanced Math SectionExpanded Geometry and Measurementtopics will include the following:

• Geometric notation for length, segments, lines, rays, and congruence

• Problems in which trigonometry may be used as an alternative method of solution

• Properties of tangent lines

• Coordinate geometry

• Qualitative behavior of graphs and functions

• Transformations and their effect on graphs of functions


If x-3 = 64, what is the value of x ?

(A)

(B)

(C) 4

(D) 8

(E) 16Correct Answer: B

1 4

1 2

The Enhanced Math SectionExamples of enhanced math content

1 2


In the figure above, if line k has a slope of -1,what is the y-intercept of k?

(A) 6(B) 7(C) 8(D) 9(E) 10

Correct Answer: B

The Enhanced Math SectionExamples of enhanced math content

Note: Figure not drawn to scale


New SAT Writing SectionAdditional measure of an important college success

skill Multiple-choice Items

3 types of multiple-choice writing questions:

• Identifying Sentence Errors

• Improving Sentences

• Improving Paragraphs


Identifying Sentence Errors

It is likely that the opening of the convention center,previously set for July 1, would be postponed because of

(A) (B) (C) (D)the bricklayers’ strike. No error.

(E)Correct Answer: C

New SAT Writing SectionExamples of Multiple-Choice Writing Items



Improving sentences Although several groups were absolutely opposed to the outside support given the revolutionary government, other groups were as equal in their adamant approval of that support.

(A) were as equal in their adamant approval of(B) held equally adamant approval of(C) were equally adamant in approving(D) had approved equally adamantly(E) held approval equally adamant of

Correct Answer: C



Improving paragraphs (1) At one point in the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark, the evil archaeologist Belloq shows the heroic Indiana Jones a cheap watch. (2) If the watch were to be buried in the desert for a thousand years and then dug up, Belloq says, it would be considered priceless. (3) I often think of the scene whenever I consider the record album–collecting phenomenon, it being one of the more remarkable aspects of popular culture in the United States. (4) Collecting record albums gives us a chance to make a low-cost investment that might pay dividends in the future.

[Excerpt from longer three-paragraph passage] (continued)



Improving paragraphs

In the context of the first paragraph, which revision is most needed in sentence 3?

(A) Insert “As a matter of fact” at the beginning.(B) Omit the words “it being.”(C) Omit the word “scene.”(D) Change the comma to a semicolon.(E) Change “think” to “thought” and “consider” to

“considered.”

Correct Answer: B


New SAT Writing SectionAdditional measure of an important college success skillEncourages writing in schoolsEssay

• Students will read a short excerpt, or two quotations, and respond to a prompt that frames an issue.

• Student must first think critically about the issue presented in the essay assignment and then define and support their point of view, using reasoning and evidence based on their own experience, readings, or observations.

• The essay will be similar to the type of on-demand writing that is typically done in college


Essay PromptThink carefully about the issue presented in the following quotations and the assignment below.

1. While secrecy can be destructive, some of it is indispensable in human lives. Some control over secrecy and openness is needed in order to protect identity. Such control may be needed to guard privacy, intimacy, and friendship.

Adapted from Sissela Bok, “The Need for Secrecy”

2. Secrecy and a free, democratic government, President Harry Truman once said, don’t mix. An open exchange of information is vital to the kind of informed citizenry essential to healthy democracy.

Editorial, “Overzealous Secrecy Threatens Democracy”

Assignment: Do people need to keep secrets or is secrecy harmful?Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.


Essay Prompt

• The essay will not be coachable since students must respond directly to the assigned topic.

• Essays not written on the assigned topic will receive a subscore of zero for the essay portion of the writing section.


How Will the Essays Be Scored?Readers will

• understand that the essay is a first draft;

• read quickly to gain an impression of the whole essay relative to the holistic Scoring Guide and the sample range-finder essays;

• read the entire essay before scoring and then score immediately;

• read supportively, looking for and rewarding what is done well rather than what is done badly or omitted;

• not judge an essay by its length or the quality of handwriting;

• understand that grammar is not an overriding factor in determining an essay score; and

• consider spelling only when errors are so persistent that they interfere with meaning.


New SAT Scoring GuideScore of 6 Score of 5 Score of 4

An essay in this category is outstanding, demonstrating clear and consistent mastery, although it may have a few minor errors. A typical essay• effectively and insightfully

develops a point of view on the topic and demonstrates outstanding critical thinking, using clearly appropriate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position• is well organized and clearly

focused, demonstrating clear coherence and smooth progression of ideas• exhibits skillful use of

language, using a varied, accurate, and apt vocabulary• demonstrates meaningful

variety in sentence structure• is free of most errors in

grammar, usage, and mechanics

An essay in this category is effective, demonstrating reasonably consistent mastery, although it will have occasional errors or lapses in quality. A typical essay• effectively develops a point

of view on the topic and demonstrates strong critical thinking, generally using appropriate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position• is well organized and focused,

demonstrating coherence and progression of ideas • exhibits facility in the use of

language, using appropriate vocabulary• demonstrates variety in

sentence structure• is generally free of most

errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics

An essay in this category is competent, demonstrating adequate mastery, although

it will have lapses in quality.

A typical essay• develops a point of view on

the topic and demonstrates competent critical thinking, using adequate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position• is generally organized and

focused, demonstrating some coherence and progression of ideas• exhibits adequate but

inconsistent facility in the use of language, using generally appropriate vocabulary• demonstrates some variety in

sentence structure• has some errors in grammar,

usage, and mechanics


Essays not written on the essay assignment will receive a score of zero.

New SAT Scoring GuideScore of 3 Score of 2 Score of 1

An essay in this category is inadequate, but demonstrates developing mastery, and is marked by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses:

• develops a point of view on the issue, demonstrating some critical thinking, but may do so inconsistently or use inadequate examples, reasons, or other evidence to support its position

• is limited in its organization or focus, or may demonstrate some lapses in coherence or progression of ideas

• displays developing facility in the use of language, but sometimes uses weak vocabulary or inappropriate word choice

• lacks variety or demonstrates problems in sentence structure

• contains an accumulation of errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics

An essay in this category is seriously limited, demonstrating little mastery, and is flawed by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses:

• develops a point of view on the issue that is vague or seriously limited, demonstrating weak critical thinking, providing inappropriate or insufficient examples, reasons, or other evidence to support its position

• is poorly organized and/or focused, or demonstrates serious problems with coherence or progression of ideas

• displays very little facility in the use of language, using very limited vocabulary or incorrect word choice

• demonstrates frequent problems in sentence structure

• contains errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics so serious that meaning is somewhat obscured

An essay in this category is fundamentally lacking, demonstrating very little or no mastery, and is severely flawed by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses:

• develops no viable point of view on the topic, or provides little or no evidence to support its position

• is disorganized or unfocused, resulting in a disjointed or incoherent essay

• displays fundamental errors in vocabulary

• demonstrates severe flaws in sentence structure

• contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that persistently interfere with meaning


Scoring Procedures for the Essay• Procedures will be similar to those for the current

SAT Subject Test in Writing.

• Essays will be scored by trained high school English teachers and college professors with experience teaching writing.

• Each essay will be scored independently by two readers according to the holistic Scoring Guide in conjunction with sample essays selected for training.

• Essays will be scored on a scale of 1 to 6 by each reader (total score of 2 to 12).

• Essays will be scanned and distributed to readers via the Web.

• Scoring and reader supervision will take place online.


Essays Will Be ScoredFairly and Accurately

• If the two readers’ scores differ by more than one point, the essay will be read by a third reader.

• Based on the College Board’s experience in scoring the SAT Subject Test in Writing, the rigorous reader training and qualification process, and continuous monitoring of readers as they score, the College Board expects that less than 8 percent of all essays will call for a third reader.


Colleges Requiring aStandardized Writing Test

• Colleges that accept the SAT will continue to do so, and all will receive the writing score.

• Many colleges have announced that they will require or recommend that students taking any college admissions exam must submit a writing score (including an essay) beginning with those entering college in the fall of 2006.


Additional Research on the New SAT Survey of Admissions Directors

• A recent College Board sampling of 774 four-year colleges indicates that 59 percent of the institutions sampled will use the writing score for admissions and another 31 percent are still considering its use.

• The colleges varied by admissions selectivity and size, and represented a good cross-section of higher education institutions.



The findings

• 74 percent of respondents say they will use the new SAT writing score in admissions decisions.

• 68 percent of respondents plan to download and print applicants’ essays.

• 35 percent of these respondents said they would read all essays, and 19 percent said they would read most essays.

• 32 percent of respondents will use the essay for course placement.



The reasons most often cited by those respondents saying that they plan to read applicants’ essays were• To provide additional information about a

candidate’s writing skills.

• To compare and verify an application essay.

• To use as an additional placement essay.

Students may view their essay online.


Additional Information about the SAT Subject Tests

• January 2005: The SAT Subject Text in Writing will be administered for the last time.

• All other SAT Subject Tests will continue, including Math I and Math II.


How Students Can PrepareStudents should

• Challenge themselves throughout high school by taking rigorous courses, including at least 3 years of math

• Read and write as much as possible—both in and outside of school

• Familiarize themselves with the SAT so they know what to expect on test day

• Familiarize themselves with the different types of questions on the SAT, the directions for each type of question, and how the test is scored.

• Take the new PSAT/NMSQT in October 2004—the new PSAT/NMSQT will be the best preparation for the new SAT


ScoreWrite™: A Guide to theNew SAT Essay How ScoreWrite works

• Students write essays on topic included in ScoreWrite™ under the same test conditions and time limit as the new SAT essay.

• Teachers learn to read and score these essays using the same techniques and scoring guide that will be used by scorers of the new SAT essay.

First version mailed to all schoolsin January–February 2004

New version mailed every August to all participating PSAT/NMSQT schools

Added feature of the new version will bea matrix showing students how to get a projected SAT writing score range by combining their PSAT/NMSQT score with their ScoreWrite essay score.


How Students Can PrepareAvailability of Sample Questions

• The PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin, the free booklet that includes a full-length practice test, will be available early fall 2004.

• The 2004 PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus will be sent to schools in December 2004 and will include explanations for every question (available online to any student who takes the PSAT/NMSQT in 2004).

• The 2004 PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus mailing will include advanced math sample questions.

• The new SAT Preparation Booklet™, (the successor to Taking the SAT), the free booklet that includes a full-length practice test, will be available in fall 2004.


How Students Can Prepare

Availability of Sample Questions

• The Official SAT Study Guide: For the New SAT ™ will be available in fall 2004.

• The Official SAT Online Course™, the successor to One-on-One with the SAT®, will be available in fall 2004.

• The online SAT Learning Center® at www.collegeboard.com will include new SAT sample questions beginning in fall 2004.


www.collegeboard.com


www.collegeboard.com

Documents

The New SAT ® What Does It Mean for Students?. 3The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 The New SAT Focuses on College Success ™ Skills