Get ready for another round of big changes to the SAT. On March 5, College Board president David Coleman announced upcoming revisions to the test.
These revisions, to take effect spring of 2016, are designed to make the test fairer and more predictive of college success. Also in the pipeline is a new initiative that will make test prep more accessible to students of all economic backgrounds. Students will also have the option to take the SAT electronically.
Wait, didn’t they make changes to the test just a short time ago? Well, yes. Back in 2005 the SAT added a third piece to the test, a writing section that was worth 800 points and included a 25-minute essay. That move changed the “perfect score” from 1600 to 2400, and left many college admissions officers wondering whether 25 minutes is enough time for young writers to accurately showcase their potential. It’s no surprise, then, that one of the upcoming changes to the test is that the point scale will return to 1600 and the essay will become optional.
Eight Major SAT Test Changes
In its press release, the College Board identifies eight changes to the test:
- Vocabulary words will shift away from the obscure and focus on “relevant words in context.” That is, students will be tested on words that they will likely use in college and career.
- The verbal section of the test will focus on evidence-based reading and writing.
- The essay will be optional and will focus on students' ability to analyze evidence and explain how an author builds an argument. Students will have 50 minutes, instead of 25, to complete it.
- The revised math section will focus on problem solving and data analysis, algebra and “passport to advanced math.”
- The source documents used for the test will be drawn from a range of academic disciplines, including literature, literary non-fiction, science, history and social studies.
- The test will measure students’ ability to analyze data and texts in “real world contexts” and to identify and correct inconsistencies between the two.
- Exams will include passages drawn from the “founding documents of America or the great global conversation they inspire.”
- Scoring will no longer deduct points for incorrect answers, but instead will give students points for the questions they answer correctly.
Upheaval in the Test Prep Industry
The question everyone’s currently asking is why now? A few factors could be at play.
For one thing, the ACT—the SAT’s only rival college entrance exam—has been gaining traction over the years. In 2012, the ACT overtook the SAT in terms of the number of test takers.
For another thing, the College Board has stated its intention to increase equity by removing what many consider are biases in in the test that have always made it easier for well-coached affluent students significantly outperform those students without access to such coaching.
It seems likely that the revisions to the SAT itself will make the biggest headlines. The other related initiatives announced by the College Board, however, may be even more significant.
In what may turn out to be a major upheaval for the test prep industry, the College Board is gearing up to offer free interactive software to all students to prepare for the redesigned SAT. The targeted launch is spring of 2015.
In addition, Coleman announced the rollout of a program to provide income-eligible students who take the SAT with four fee waivers to apply to college.
"What this country needs is not more tests, but more opportunities," Coleman said during his announcement. "The real news today is not just the redesigned SAT, but the College Board's renewed commitment to delivering opportunity."
background-image: a building with the American flag in front of it