What the NEW, harder SAT Means For You

1. What is in the new SAT? 2. What makes the new SAT so challenging? 3. How can I prepare for the new SAT? Agenda

New PSAT: October 2015 New SAT: March 2016 When will tis happen? When will this happen?

More respected by colleges –“The new test will be more deeply aligned with the knowledge and skills that will enable students to appreciate great literature, recognize the beauty of mathematics, and access cutting-edge science and the fundamentals of engineering.” William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions, Harvard Better prepares you for success in college and the real world If you change your mind, you’ve been preparing for the harder test, not the easier one. If the new test is harder, why take it?

Scored on a 400 to 1600 scale Math score out of 800 Verbal (combined Reading and Writing) score out of 800 Essay score out of 8 (out of 4 for writing; out of 4 for analysis) 4 answer choices per question; guessing penalty eliminated! 3 hours & 50 minutes (including “optional” essay) Common Core aligned General test changes

What is Common Core?

State governors and education officials began this initiative in 2009 in response to two problems: Inconsistent standards among states Perceived low standards in the United States compared to those in the rest of the world The Common Core: Origins

Provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them Designed to be robust & relevant to the real world Create students who are better prepared for college and career The Common Core: Goals

The Common Core: Adoption Source: IT’S COMING… The Common Core: Adoption Adopted Not Adopted

The current SAT lags behind the ACT in alignment with “what’s taught in school”. Colleges are questioning the SAT. The Architect of the Common Core, David Coleman, is now the President of the CollegeBoard. The new SAT & the Common Core

So what does this mean? The New SAT is unofficially the “12 th Grade Common Core Assessment”

1.Math 2.Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 3.“Optional” Essay The test: Three subjects

Topic % Heart of Algebra Analyzing and fluently solving equations and systems of equations Creating expressions, equations, and inequalities to represent relationships Rearranging and interpreting formulas 35% Problem Solving and Data Analysis Creating and analyzing relationships using ratios, proportions and percentages Describing relationships shown graphically Summarizing qualitative and quantitative data 28% Passport to Advanced Math Rewriting expressions using their structure Creating, analyzing, and fluently solving quadratic and higher-order equations Manipulating polynomials purposefully to solve problems 27% Additional Topics in Math Making area and volume calculations in context Investigating lines, angles, triangles, and circles using theorems Working with trigonometric functions 10% Math

Algebra IGeometryAlgebra 2Precalculus GeometryAlg II/TrigPreCalculus Calculus AB or BC Geometry/Al g II PrecalculusCalculus ABCalculus BC Standard math schedules

Common CoreNew SAT Know how to “use tools strategically” No calculator for some sections. Problems with multiple potential solution paths Practice A LOT to sharpen mental math skills. For every new topic learned, practice an extra 30 minutes daily. Learn to tackle problems from multiple angles. Try problems both with a calculator and without one. Math

Common CoreNew SAT Fewer Topics in Greater DepthTerms and definitions are critical for success. Master the fine print: take notes & never skip a problem in your own math textbooks! Consider your math schedule and how it lines up with the SAT. You need to know up to Trigonometry, and even Pre-Calculus. Math

Common CoreNew SAT A focus on “Real world scenarios”Expect to see tons of word problems. Become a word problem guru. Not only do you need to know the math, you need to know how different topics relate to each other. Many word problems will require multi-step solutions so train yourself to think in “step-by-step” processes. Math

Math will be more challenging! Fewer topics but you’ll need more in-depth knowledge! Your problem solving skills will need to be stronger There will be multiple ways to solve a problem, but you’ll need to decide the “optimal” path to solving a problem Mental math will be required for No-Calculator sections Word problems, word problems, word problems! With a focus on “Real World” scenarios, you’ll be seeing far more graphs, charts, and word problems! So what does this mean?

Current SAT: Reading

Committed/ devoted Setting aside for memorial purposes Reading: Focus on multiple meanings

Every passage will have 2 of these! Tricky vocab not “tested” but language in text is harder – if you can’t understand the passage, you can’t answer the questions! Reading

Common CoreNew SAT Literary Skills across various subjects Read and analyze U.S. documents of historical and literary significance College-level reading passages More non-fiction text from science, history, and social studies Some passages will be from “Founding Documents” or from the Greater Global Conversation. Challenge yourself by reading more non-fiction. Biographies of famous U.S. historical figures are a great start. Take notes when you are reading through your history or science textbooks from school. Get familiar with U.S. founding history. Reading

Common CoreNew SAT Emphasis on diagrams and data analysis Reading & Writing will include tables, charts, and other graphics Read a LOT. Never skip those charts and graphs in your history or science textbooks. Read a LOT of non-fiction, especially newspapers like the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal. Reading

Common CoreNew SAT Citing Textual Evidence Evidence-based reading and writing will include paired “evidence” questions. The answer you choose for one question will directly affect the other. Practice the art of Close Reading! Learn to analyze text & understand how the author is using evidence. Engage with what you read; don’t just try to understand what the author is saying, but think about whether you agree or disagree and why. Reading

Reading will be harder! When was the last time you read a speech from a U.S. Senator or Supreme Court Justice? No such thing as “skimming!” Close Reading Skills require lots of practice & long-term development. “Reading” isn’t enough – deeper interpretation matters! Do you carefully read the charts found in your textbook for subjects like history & science? What about those pesky charts used in newspaper articles? So what does this mean?

Common CoreNew SAT Literary Skills across various subjects Read and analyze U.S. documents of historical and literary significance College-level reading passages The Writing Test requires a LOT of reading. Get a head start by using the ACT’s English Test to practice the type of reading & revising skills the New SAT will test. Strength of argument matters; this is not ONLY a grammar test. Review your basic grammar & usage rules. Writing

Writing will be harder! You have only 35 minutes for 4 passages (44 total questions) You’ll need to read passages, revise word usage, grammar, & sentence structure – much like revising a research paper! You’ll need multiple skills Strong vocabulary, command of evidence, using charts & graphs Essay is scored separately & won’t help your writing score! You need strong rhetoric & composition skills. So what does this mean?

The Essay “Optional”...but not really! The Essay

Current SAT

2012 AP English Language & Composition FRQ #2: Read Kennedy’s remarks carefully. Then write an essay in which you analyze the rhetorical strategies President Kennedy uses to achieve his purpose. Support your analysis with specific references to the text. New SAT

Do not skip the essay! Study rhetoric, argumentation, and composition. Learn how to close read and write based on analysis. Practice a lot using AP English Language and Composition “Analysis Essay” prompts. Write a lot – daily – so that it becomes a habit. Essay

The essay will be more challenging and complex! You need to engage with a passage rather than rely on generic responses. You’ll need multiple skills You’ll need to use CLOSE READING skills. You’ll need to use ANALYSIS skills (argumentation, style, diction, literary devices). You’ll need to use WRITING skills. It’s not truly “optional” The best colleges will require it! So what does this mean?

The goal of the CollegeBoard is to make the SAT more relevant to what students need to succeed in college and in their careers and more closely match what is studied in school. However… improving at schoolwork is hard!! We wrote the book on the NEW, harder SAT. So how do I prepare?

Create a Plan

10 th Graders (Class of 2017) You can take the New SAT starting in the spring of your Junior Year (March 2016). Start studying NOW – C2’s NEW SAT Curriculum is a great place to start. 9 th Graders (Class of 2018) You can take the NEW SAT as early as the spring of sophomore year. Start reading and writing a lot! Learn to love word problems. Make sure you’re on the right math track. 8 th Graders (Class of 2019+) Focus on improving long-term skills by reading a lot, writing daily, and practicing mental math. C2 can help improve your school grades and teach those skills in the process. Figure out your math schedule. New SAT — Make a plan

Diagnostics Pinpoint strengths and weaknesses Provide a basis for a customized program Customized Programs Tailored to meet each student’s needs Focus on weaknesses instead of needless review Excellent Teachers Score in the 95 th percentile Not just educators, but mentors and support system Amazing Results Average SAT increase of 350 points (3 points on ACT) 100% see grade improvements within one year The C2 Method