1. The New SAT ® What Does It Mean for Students?

3. 3The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 The New SAT Focuses on College Success ™ Skills Critical Reading Mathematics Writing The SAT ® tests students’ reasoning based on knowledge and skills developed through their course work. It measures their ability to analyze and solve problems by applying what they have learned in school.

4. 4The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Time Frame October 2004: New PSAT/NMSQT ® March 2005: New SAT

5. 5The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Time Frame Class of 2006 will take new SAT Class of 2005—current seniors Current SAT as seniors in fall 2004 New SAT as seniors in March 2005 (if necessary) Class of 2006—current juniors New PSAT/NMSQT as juniors in fall 2004 New SAT as juniors in March 2005 and later New SAT as seniors

6. 6The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Has the SAT Ever Changed Before? Yes, the SAT has changed several times since it was first administered in 1926. The SAT evolves to meet the changing needs of students, teachers, and colleges. The most recent changes were made in 1994. (Adding writing to the SAT was recommended but not possible in 1994 due to inadequate technology and lack of large number of readers needed.)

7. 7The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Why Is the SAT Changing? To better reflect today’s classroom practices and curriculum by replacing analogies with short reading passages and quantitative comparisons with more math problems, some including content from third-year college-preparatory math To reinforce the importance of writing skills To help colleges make better admissions and placement decisions

8. 8The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Will the New SAT Be Harder? No, the new SAT will be designed so that a student who could score a 500 on the math section (for example) of the current SAT could score a 500 on the math section of the new test. 97% of college-bound students complete 3 years of math, so the test will more closely measure the math they are already studying. Extensive field trials confirmed that students are taking more upper level math, which is why the overall difficulty of the test is not affected. While the test is longer, field trials also confirmed that the increased length of the test has no impact on the students’ scores.

9. 9The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 The Changes to the SAT and the PSAT/NMSQT ® Verbal Name will be changed to critical reading. Analogies will be eliminated. Short reading passages will replace analogies and will measure the kind of reasoning formerly measured by analogies.

10. 10The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 The Changes to the SAT and the PSAT/NMSQT Analogies will be ELIMINATED CLAY:POTTER:: (A) stone:sculptor (B) machines:mechanic (C) hems:tailor (D) bricks:architect (E) chalk:teacher Correct answer: A

11. 11The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Revised SAT Verbal Section– Renamed Critical Reading Example of passage-based analogical reasoning items The relationship between the “spectroscope” and a “star’s chemical composition” (lines 37–38) is most like the relationship between (A) a periscope and a submarine (B) a microscope and a cellular structure (C) a generator and an electrical charge (D) a test tube and an experiment Correct answer: B

12. 12The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 The Changes to the SAT and the PSAT/NMSQT Math Quantitative comparisons will be eliminated. The content is being expanded to reflect the mathematics that college-bound students typically learn during their first three years of high school. The reasoning aspects of the test together with the expanded content will more effectively assess the mathematics necessary for student success in college. Math content on the PSAT/NMSQT will also be enhanced, but it will not include Algebra II because most students will not be familiar with that level of math.

13. 13The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 The Changes to the SAT and the PSAT/NMSQT Quantitative comparisons will be ELIMINATED The Roadside Diner cuts its cakes into 12 servings each. A. The number of these cakesB. 6 needed to make 78 servings (A)The quantity in column A is greater; (B)The quantity in column B is greater; (C)The two quantities are equal; (D)The relationship cannot be determined from the information given. Correct answer: A

14. 14The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 The Changes to the SAT and the PSAT/NMSQT Writing Multiple-choice grammar and usage questions Will measure the student’s understanding of how to use language in a clear, consistent manner, how to revise and edit, and how to recognize an error in a sentence. Student-written essay (SAT only) Will measure the student’s use of language: logical presentation of ideas, development of a point of view, and clarity of expression under timed conditions. Essay practice tool provided AT NO COST to all schools administering the PSAT/NMSQT.

15. 15The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 The Changes to the SAT and the PSAT/NMSQT Skills Feedback The PSAT/NMSQT provides individualized feedback to students through its Score Report Plus. The College Board is developing a similar tool for the SAT.

16. Skills Feedback Score Report Plus 16

17. 17The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus Tells students how their scores compare to those of other sophomores or juniors Tells students what SAT score ranges they can expect Includes a question-by-question breakdown Helps students identify strengths and weaknesses, and provides tips on how to improve specific skills

18. 18The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus New in 2004 Students will use their Score Report Plus code to access free enhancements online at www.collegeboard.com/psatextra for:www.collegeboard.com/psatextra Complete explanations for all answers, including why some answers were wrong. Full explanations of answers for additional higher-level math practice SAT questions on the back of the PSAT/NMSQT score report. Entire SAT essay scoring guide, plus actual sample essay papers at every score point for the practice essay on the back of the PSAT/NMSQT score report.

19. 19The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Skills Feedback Score Report Plus Improve Your Skills—Examples Being precise and clear How to improve: Learn to recognize sentence elements that are ambiguous and confusing. In your writing, choose words carefully and connect them for clear meaning. See questions 4, 6, 8. Understanding geometry and coordinate geometry How to improve: Review geometry units in your textbook involving perimeter, area, volume, circumference, angles, lines, and slope. Familiarize yourself with the formulas given at the beginning of math sections of the set. See questions 7, 13, 19.

20. 20The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Time Specifications PSAT/NMSQT Current PSAT/NMSQTNew PSAT/NMSQT 2 hours 10 minutes Critical Reading 50 minutes Two 25-minute sections 50 minutes Two 25-minute sections Math 50 minutes Two 25-minute sections 50 minutes Two 25-minute sections Writing 30 minutes One 30-minute multiple-choice section 30 minutes One 30-minute multiple-choice section

21. 21The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Time Specifications SAT Current SATNew SAT 3 hours3 hours 45 minutes Critical Reading 75 minutes Two 30-minute sections and one 15-minute section 70 minutes Two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section Math 75 minutes Two 30-minute sections and one 15-minute section 70 minutes Two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section Writing 60 minutes Two multiple-choice sections (one 25-minute section and one 10-minute section) and one 25-minute essay Variable Section30 minutes25 minutes

22. 22The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Test Content and Question Types Current SATNew SAT Critical Reading Sentence Completion Critical Reading: Long reading passages Analogies Sentence Completion Critical Reading: Short and long reading passages Math Multiple-choice items, student-produced responses, and quantitative comparisons measuring: Number and Operations Algebra I and Functions Geometry; and Statistics, Probability, and Data Analysis Multiple-choice items and student-produced responses measuring: Number and Operations Algebra I, II, and Functions Geometry; and Statistics, Probability, and Data Analysis Writing Multiple-choice: Improving sentences and paragraphs and identifying errors Student-written essay: Effectively communicate a point of view on an issue, supporting a position with reasoning and examples

23. 23The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Test Scores Current SATNew SAT Critical ReadingV 200–800CR 200–800 MathM 200–800 Writing W 200–800 Will include 2 subscores: Essay 2–12 (1/3 of writing score) Multiple-choice 20–80 (2/3 of writing score)

24. A Closer Look at the Changes to the SAT Critical Reading Mathematics Writing

25. 25The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Revised SAT Verbal Section— Renamed Critical Reading Strengthens alignment with classroom practices Measures knowledge of genre, cause and effect, rhetorical devices, comparative arguments, and the ability to recognize relationships among parts of a text Long and short reading passages are taken from different fields: Natural sciences Humanities Social science Literary fiction Short reading passages, which replace analogies measure the kind of reasoning formerly measured by the analogy section.

26. 26The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 The Critical Reading Section Example of new short paragraph reading items Dinosaurs have such a powerful grip on the public consciousness that it is easy to forget just how recently scientists have become aware of them. A two-year-old child today may be able to rattle off three dinosaur names, but in 1824 there was only one known dinosaur. Period. The word “dinosaur” didn’t even exist until 1841. Indeed, in those early years, the world was baffled by the discovery of these absurdly enormous creatures. (continued) Line 5

27. 27The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 The Critical Reading Section Example of new short paragraph reading items 1. The reference to the “two-year-old child” (line 4) primarily serves to (A) challenge a popular assumption (B) highlight the extent of the change (C) suggest that a perspective is simplistic (D) introduce a controversial idea (E) question a contemporary preoccupation Correct answer: B 2. The statement “Period” (line 6) primarily serves to emphasize the (A) authoritative nature of the finding (B) lack of flexibility in a popular theory (C) stubborn nature of a group of researchers (D) limited knowledge about a subject (E) refusal of the public to accept new discoveries Correct answer: D

28. 28The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Math Section Measures problem-solving skills Emphasis on math reasoning: SAT math measures the ability to apply math content to real-life problems. SAT is unique in having some “grid-in” questions requiring student-produced responses—as recommended by NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics). Approximately 15–20% of math questions on the new SAT and 15% of math questions on the new PSAT/NMSQT will either cover new topics or will cover existing topics in greater depth.

29. 29The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Most Four-Year Colleges Require 3 Years of Math for Admission 70% of all high school students finish Algebra II. 97% of college-bound students complete 3 years of math, and 69% complete 4 or more years of math. 92% of minority college-bound students complete 3 years of math.

30. 30The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Calculator Policy A scientific or graphing calculator will be recommended for the new tests. Though every question can still be answered without a calculator, calculators are definitely encouraged. Previously, a basic 4-function calculator was recommended, but now scientific is the base level recommendation. Students should bring a calculator with which they are comfortable and familiar.

31. 31The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 The Enhanced Math Section Expanded Number and Operations topics will include: Sequences involving exponential growth Sets (union, intersection, elements) Expanded Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability topics will include: Data interpretation, scatterplots, and matrices Geometric probability

32. 32The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 The Enhanced Math Section Expanded Algebra topics will include the following: Absolute value Rational equations and inequalities Radical equations Integer and rational exponents Direct and inverse variation Function notation Concepts of domain and range Functions as models Linear functions—equations and graphs Quadratic functions—equations and graphs

33. 33The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 The Enhanced Math Section Expanded Geometry and Measurement topics will include the following: Geometric notation for length, segments, lines, rays, and congruence Problems in which trigonometry may be used as an alternative method of solution Properties of tangent lines Coordinate geometry Qualitative behavior of graphs and functions Transformations and their effect on graphs of functions

34. 34The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 If x -3 = 64, what is the value of x ? (A) (B) (C)4 (D)8 (E)16 Correct Answer: B 1 4 1 2 The Enhanced Math Section Examples of enhanced math content 1 2

35. 35The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 In the figure above, if line k has a slope of -1, what is the y-intercept of k? (A)6 (B)7 (C)8 (D)9 (E)10 Correct Answer: B The Enhanced Math Section Examples of enhanced math content Note: Figure not drawn to scale

36. 36The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 New SAT Writing Section Additional measure of an important college success skill Multiple-choice Items 3 types of multiple-choice writing questions: Identifying Sentence Errors Improving Sentences Improving Paragraphs

37. 37The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Identifying Sentence Errors It is likely that the opening of the convention center, previously set for July 1, would be postponed because of (A)(B)(C)(D) the bricklayers’ strike. No error. (E) Correct Answer: C New SAT Writing Section Examples of Multiple-Choice Writing Items

38. 38The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 New SAT Writing Section Examples of Multiple-Choice Writing Items Improving sentences Although several groups were absolutely opposed to the outside support given the revolutionary government, other groups were as equal in their adamant approval of that support. (A)were as equal in their adamant approval of (B)held equally adamant approval of (C)were equally adamant in approving (D)had approved equally adamantly (E)held approval equally adamant of Correct Answer: C

39. 39The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 New SAT Writing Section Examples of Multiple-Choice Writing Items Improving paragraphs (1) At one point in the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark, the evil archaeologist Belloq shows the heroic Indiana Jones a cheap watch. (2) If the watch were to be buried in the desert for a thousand years and then dug up, Belloq says, it would be considered priceless. (3) I often think of the scene whenever I consider the record album–collecting phenomenon, it being one of the more remarkable aspects of popular culture in the United States. (4) Collecting record albums gives us a chance to make a low-cost investment that might pay dividends in the future. [Excerpt from longer three-paragraph passage](continued)

40. 40The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 New SAT Writing Section Examples of Multiple-Choice Writing Items Improving paragraphs In the context of the first paragraph, which revision is most needed in sentence 3? (A)Insert “As a matter of fact” at the beginning. (B)Omit the words “it being.” (C)Omit the word “scene.” (D)Change the comma to a semicolon. (E)Change “think” to “thought” and “consider” to “considered.” Correct Answer: B

41. 41The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 New SAT Writing Section Additional measure of an important college success skill Encourages writing in schools Essay Students will read a short excerpt, or two quotations, and respond to a prompt that frames an issue. Student must first think critically about the issue presented in the essay assignment and then define and support their point of view, using reasoning and evidence based on their own experience, readings, or observations. The essay will be similar to the type of on-demand writing that is typically done in college

42. 42The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Essay Prompt Think carefully about the issue presented in the following quotations and the assignment below. 1. While secrecy can be destructive, some of it is indispensable in human lives. Some control over secrecy and openness is needed in order to protect identity. Such control may be needed to guard privacy, intimacy, and friendship. Adapted from Sissela Bok, “The Need for Secrecy” 2. Secrecy and a free, democratic government, President Harry Truman once said, don’t mix. An open exchange of information is vital to the kind of informed citizenry essential to healthy democracy. Editorial, “Overzealous Secrecy Threatens Democracy” Assignment: Do people need to keep secrets or is secrecy harmful? 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.

43. 43The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Essay Prompt The essay will not be coachable since students must respond directly to the assigned topic. Essays not written on the assigned topic will receive a subscore of zero for the essay portion of the writing section.

44. 44The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 How Will the Essays Be Scored? Readers will understand that the essay is a first draft; read quickly to gain an impression of the whole essay relative to the holistic Scoring Guide and the sample range-finder essays; read the entire essay before scoring and then score immediately; read supportively, looking for and rewarding what is done well rather than what is done badly or omitted; not judge an essay by its length or the quality of handwriting; understand that grammar is not an overriding factor in determining an essay score; and consider spelling only when errors are so persistent that they interfere with meaning.

45. 45The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 New SAT Scoring Guide Score of 6Score of 5Score of 4 An essay in this category is outstanding, demonstrating clear and consistent mastery, although it may have a few minor errors. A typical essay effectively and insightfully develops a point of view on the topic and demonstrates outstanding critical thinking, using clearly appropriate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position is well organized and clearly focused, demonstrating clear coherence and smooth progression of ideas exhibits skillful use of language, using a varied, accurate, and apt vocabulary demonstrates meaningful variety in sentence structure is free of most errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics An essay in this category is effective, demonstrating reasonably consistent mastery, although it will have occasional errors or lapses in quality. A typical essay effectively develops a point of view on the topic and demonstrates strong critical thinking, generally using appropriate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position is well organized and focused, demonstrating coherence and progression of ideas exhibits facility in the use of language, using appropriate vocabulary demonstrates variety in sentence structure is generally free of most errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics An essay in this category is competent, demonstrating adequate mastery, although it will have lapses in quality. A typical essay develops a point of view on the topic and demonstrates competent critical thinking, using adequate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position is generally organized and focused, demonstrating some coherence and progression of ideas exhibits adequate but inconsistent facility in the use of language, using generally appropriate vocabulary demonstrates some variety in sentence structure has some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics

46. 46The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Essays not written on the essay assignment will receive a score of zero. New SAT Scoring Guide Score of 3Score of 2Score of 1 An essay in this category is inadequate, but demonstrates developing mastery, and is marked by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses: develops a point of view on the issue, demonstrating some critical thinking, but may do so inconsistently or use inadequate examples, reasons, or other evidence to support its position is limited in its organization or focus, or may demonstrate some lapses in coherence or progression of ideas displays developing facility in the use of language, but sometimes uses weak vocabulary or inappropriate word choice lacks variety or demonstrates problems in sentence structure contains an accumulation of errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics An essay in this category is seriously limited, demonstrating little mastery, and is flawed by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses: develops a point of view on the issue that is vague or seriously limited, demonstrating weak critical thinking, providing inappropriate or insufficient examples, reasons, or other evidence to support its position is poorly organized and/or focused, or demonstrates serious problems with coherence or progression of ideas displays very little facility in the use of language, using very limited vocabulary or incorrect word choice demonstrates frequent problems in sentence structure contains errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics so serious that meaning is somewhat obscured An essay in this category is fundamentally lacking, demonstrating very little or no mastery, and is severely flawed by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses: develops no viable point of view on the topic, or provides little or no evidence to support its position is disorganized or unfocused, resulting in a disjointed or incoherent essay displays fundamental errors in vocabulary demonstrates severe flaws in sentence structure contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that persistently interfere with meaning

47. 47The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Scoring Procedures for the Essay Procedures will be similar to those for the current SAT Subject Test in Writing. Essays will be scored by trained high school English teachers and college professors with experience teaching writing. Each essay will be scored independently by two readers according to the holistic Scoring Guide in conjunction with sample essays selected for training. Essays will be scored on a scale of 1 to 6 by each reader (total score of 2 to 12). Essays will be scanned and distributed to readers via the Web. Scoring and reader supervision will take place online.

48. 48The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Essays Will Be Scored Fairly and Accurately If the two readers’ scores differ by more than one point, the essay will be read by a third reader. Based on the College Board’s experience in scoring the SAT Subject Test in Writing, the rigorous reader training and qualification process, and continuous monitoring of readers as they score, the College Board expects that less than 8 percent of all essays will call for a third reader.

49. 49The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Colleges Requiring a Standardized Writing Test Colleges that accept the SAT will continue to do so, and all will receive the writing score. Many colleges have announced that they will require or recommend that students taking any college admissions exam must submit a writing score (including an essay) beginning with those entering college in the fall of 2006.

50. 50The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Additional Research on the New SAT Survey of Admissions Directors A recent College Board sampling of 774 four-year colleges indicates that 59 percent of the institutions sampled will use the writing score for admissions and another 31 percent are still considering its use. The colleges varied by admissions selectivity and size, and represented a good cross-section of higher education institutions.

51. 51The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Additional Research on the New SAT Survey of Admissions Directors The findings 74 percent of respondents say they will use the new SAT writing score in admissions decisions. 68 percent of respondents plan to download and print applicants’ essays. 35 percent of these respondents said they would read all essays, and 19 percent said they would read most essays. 32 percent of respondents will use the essay for course placement.

52. 52The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Additional Research on the New SAT Survey of Admissions Directors The reasons most often cited by those respondents saying that they plan to read applicants’ essays were To provide additional information about a candidate’s writing skills. To compare and verify an application essay. To use as an additional placement essay. Students may view their essay online.

53. 53The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 Additional Information about the SAT Subject Tests January 2005: The SAT Subject Text in Writing will be administered for the last time. All other SAT Subject Tests will continue, including Math I and Math II.

54. 54The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 How Students Can Prepare Students should Challenge themselves throughout high school by taking rigorous courses, including at least 3 years of math Read and write as much as possible—both in and outside of school Familiarize themselves with the SAT so they know what to expect on test day Familiarize themselves with the different types of questions on the SAT, the directions for each type of question, and how the test is scored. Take the new PSAT/NMSQT in October 2004—the new PSAT/NMSQT will be the best preparation for the new SAT

55. 55The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 ScoreWrite ™ : A Guide to the New SAT Essay How ScoreWrite works Students write essays on topic included in ScoreWrite™ under the same test conditions and time limit as the new SAT essay. Teachers learn to read and score these essays using the same techniques and scoring guide that will be used by scorers of the new SAT essay. First version mailed to all schools in January–February 2004 New version mailed every August to all participating PSAT/NMSQT schools Added feature of the new version will be a matrix showing students how to get a projected SAT writing score range by combining their PSAT/NMSQT score with their ScoreWrite essay score.

56. 56The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 How Students Can Prepare Availability of Sample Questions The PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin, the free booklet that includes a full-length practice test, will be available early fall 2004. The 2004 PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus will be sent to schools in December 2004 and will include explanations for every question (available online to any student who takes the PSAT/NMSQT in 2004). The 2004 PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus mailing will include advanced math sample questions. The new SAT Preparation Booklet ™, (the successor to Taking the SAT), the free booklet that includes a full-length practice test, will be available in fall 2004.

57. 57The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 How Students Can Prepare Availability of Sample Questions The Official SAT Study Guide: For the New SAT ™ will be available in fall 2004. The Official SAT Online Course ™, the successor to One-on-One with the SAT ®, will be available in fall 2004. The online SAT Learning Center ® at www.collegeboard.com will include new SAT sample questions beginning in fall 2004.

58. 58The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 www.collegeboard.com

59. 59The New SAT: What Does It Mean for Students? June, 2004 www.collegeboard.com