THE NEW SAT and the ACT: How the Changes Affect You Chris Babb

The New SAT

Am I affected by the changes? – New PSAT: October 2015 – New SAT: March 2016 What are the changes? How can I prepare?

Who Does This Affect? Current 10 th graders Current 9 th graders Current 8 th graders Current 7 th graders You should be taking the NEW SAT or ACT Will be taking New SAT or ACT Will Be taking New SAT or ACT New SAT begins March 2016 You will need to take the NEW SAT New PSAT October 2015 New PSAT

General Test Changes NEW SAT is aligned to the spirit of the Common Core. – The Common Core State Standards are a set of learning standards that have been adopted by most states. These standards will help to ensure that students from different states master the same skills in each grade level. Current SATNew SAT scale400 to 1600 scale 5 answer choices per question4 answer choices per question ¼ point penalty for wrong answer No penalty for wrong answer! 3 hrs. and 45 minutes3 hrs min. optional essay

The Tests

Reading Test Vocabulary: – Current SAT: Had/has Heavy focus on Sentence Completions – New SAT: No Sentence Completions – New SAT: Tests multiple meanings using Words- in-Context questions

Reading Test Passages: Current SAT: Focuses on Reading Comprehension – New SAT: Focuses on Reading Comprehension PLUS: more complex texts aligned to “college level reading” PLUS: wider range of texts including from “Founding Documents” and the “greater global conversation” PLUS: emphasis on analysis & use of evidence PLUS: data & informational graphics

So What Does This Mean? 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?

Writing and Language Test Current SAT: Isolated Grammar & Usage Questions – New SAT: Integrated into PASSAGES PLUS: focus on “revising and editing” PLUS: focus on misused words PLUS: emphasis use of evidence PLUS: data & informational graphics

So What Does This Mean? 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

Essay Current SAT: Opinion-based (25 min) – New SAT: Analysis of a passage’s argument 50 minutes Optional Question is always the same, passage is always different Like the AP English Language & Composition Free- Response-Question

Writing and Language Test Current SAT Writing Prompt: Many people believe that loyalty—whether to an individual, an organization, or a nation—means unconditional and unquestioning support no matter what. To these people, the withdrawal of support is by definition a betrayal of loyalty. But doesn’t true loyalty sometimes require us to be critical of those we are loyal to? If we see that they are doing something that we believe is wrong, doesn’t true loyalty require us to speak up, even if we must be critical?

Writing and Language Test Current SAT Assignment (from the prompt) Does true loyalty require unconditional support? 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.

New SAT Prompt The following question is based on an exerpt from Why Literature Matters: By Dana Gioia Write an essay in which you explain how Dana Gioia builds an argument to persuade his audience that the decline of reading in America will have a negative effect on society. In your essay, analyze how Gioia uses one or more of the features listed in the box above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of his argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage. Your essay should not explain whether you agree with Gioia’s claims, but rather explain how Gioia builds an argument to persuade his audience.

So What Does This Mean? 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!

Math Test Fewer topics but much more in-depth Primary focus: problem-solving skills – More than one way to a solution – Simple test-taking tricks no longer work There are 2 sections: – Calculator Section – No-Calculator Section 1 open response question (showing work) – 5 pts.

Math Test Three general focuses – Heart of Algebra – Problem Solving and Data Analysis – Advanced Math Word problems!

So What Does This Mean? 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!

“ The large majority of admissions directors (91 percent) say that they favor the SAT changes being made by the College Board.” - The 2014 Inside Higher Ed Survey of College & University Admissions Directors What experts are saying about the New SAT: