The new SAT

Q: I heard that they are changing the SAT. When will the new test be introduced? How can I possibly study for a test that is changing?

A: “The new PSAT will first be given in October 2004. This will be followed by administration of the new SAT in March 2005,” says Kristin Carnahan, director of external communications for The College Board. These dates—new PSAT: October 2004, new SAT: March 2005—should settle spurious rumors about the new tests.

Who is affected
Juniors and seniors: Take it easy; the changes won’t affect you! Sophomores (class of 2006): Yours will be the first class to experience the new tests. When you take the PSAT in October 2004, it will be the new one.

Reactions to the new tests
“The new tests will reflect changes that have been decided upon by The College Board and a consortium of institutions,” declares Carnahan. “Overall, we’ve had a positive reaction to the changes.”

“I think that The College Board is trying to be more responsive to school curriculums,” comments Stephen Pultz, director of admissions at the University of San Diego in California. “The current test is not subject-driven; it does not represent what the students actually learned.”

Although the new tests have yet to be written, The College Board has been candid about future test changes. You can’t use lack of knowledge as an excuse not to prepare. For further details, check out www.collegeboard.org/about/newsat/newsat.html. Adds Carnahan: “Many things will remain the same.”

Current tests
The current PSAT and SAT comprise two main sections: math and verbal. The math section tests basic arithmetic, algebra I and geometry. Most of the math questions are multiple choice, including quantitative comparison problems.

The verbal section currently offers verbal analogies (apple:core :: flower:stem), single and double critical reading passages and paragraph completions. The PSAT also has a separate writing section that tests grammar and writing skills via multiple choice questions; no writing is involved.

Basic changes
In the new PSAT and SAT, math quantitative comparison problems are out, algebra II problems are in, and there will be no trigonometry questions. The term “verbal” is out, and the term “critical reading” is in. Analogies are out, to be replaced by shorter reading passages (in addition to the longer reading passages).

The most important change is that the SAT I will now require a 25- to 30-minute essay, thereby extending the test time to approximately three and a half hours. The PSAT will continue to have a multiple-choice writing section without an essay. As a result, the timing of the PSAT will be reduced by five minutes. Test fees may increase by $10 to $12 per test.

What is so important about writing?
“We welcome the emphasis on written communication,” says Keith Todd, director of undergraduate admission at Northwestern University. “In any academic major, students need to come to college ready to undertake sophisticated writing, research and argumentation.”

“Frankly,” adds Robert Backley, director of admissions at Clemson University in South Carolina, “Writing in our society is becoming a lost art. ...An increasing number of institutions are going to be requiring writing samples for admission to their schools.”

Indeed, Clemson, Northwestern and USD are on the growing list of schools supporting the new SAT in addition to requiring a standardized writing test for students admitted to their schools in 2006.

Future admission changes/requirements
Rumors are rampant regarding the future of college admissions: Maybe schools will no longer require an admission essay; maybe The College Board will do away with the SAT II writing exam.

John Carroll, director of admissions at Kalamazoo College in Michigan, sums up the sentiments of the admission personnel interviewed: “Writing is important, and this essay will be another tool for us to use. However, we will have to wait a few years to evaluate the essay and see how it fits into the picture.” For now, you should start brushing up on your writing skills!

The following bold-faced words appear in this column. Are you certain of their meanings? Writing the words down will help you remember them.
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