Changes to the 2016 SAT

Beginning next Spring, there will be new changes to the 2016 SAT exam for students to be aware of. Components for the redesigned SAT will include a new evidenced-based Writing and Language Test, along with a Reading Test. The Math Test has also been streamlined to focus on fewer subject areas. To test college readiness, more emphasis will be placed on the student’s reasoning skills and knowledge. Use of modern language commonly encountered in college will be favored over obscure vocabulary. Students should expect to understand how word choice impacts the meaning and tone of a context.

The Essay portion of the exam will now be optional, which students will have 50 minutes to complete. Students will be tested on their reading comprehension, writing abilities, and analysis of the provided text. Students should be prepared to support their responses with key evidence from the text. For the college application process, the post-secondary institution will state whether or not the Essay is required for the admission process.

As far as scoring, the redesigned SAT has been switched to a rights-only scoring. So what does this mean for your student? For this new type of scoring, there will be no deduction for an incorrect answer. A point will be given for a correct answer, while blank answers still have no impact on their final assessment. In contrast to the previous SAT, the optional Essay portion of the exam will now be reported separately. The Math Area score will range from 200 to 800 points, and the Reading and Writing score will also contribute 200 to 800 points. The total SAT score will range from 400 to 1600 points, with additional sub-score reporting for each test.

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