Redesigned SAT Reading and Writing

Overall Changes Reasoning Skills and Context Passage Based - Emphasis Construction and Connection Less Tricky Questions are more straightforward Test Content More Predictable Reading Section-US & World Lit (1), Hist/Social Science (2), Science (2)

Changes To The Reading All questions are now based on passages. 1 passage US & World Literature, 2 for History/Social Studies, and 2 for Science. Data Interpretation Greater emphasis on: vocabulary in context; command of evidence; constructing logical arguments; scientific reasoning.

No More Sentence Completion Questions Lesser emphasis on: difficult vocabulary and vocabulary in isolation

Evidence Supported Questions Prompted to answer a question about the passage for example, the author's tone or stance on a topic, and in the next question be asked to cite evidence for the answer in the previous question

Data Reasoning Questions The student will need to interpret the data in the figure and place it in the context of the overall passage for example, how does this figure support the author's argument?

Reading Questions Study Tips Read Read Read NYT, WSJ, HBR, Boston Globe's Ideas Section, SciAM, NG, Newsweek, Time, Smithsonian, The Atlantic Monthly, Wired, Reason Magazine, Virginia Woolfe, George Orwell, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Historical Documents

Science Passages - not need to memorize formulas or deep science knowledge Know How To Read Graphs Evidence Support Questions - two part question Miss Part One,Miss Part Two Don’t Interpret The Passage - your opinion or self-expression doesn’t matter The Answer Is In The Passage

Changes To The Writing All questions are now based on passages. Greater emphasis on: Logic and expression of ideas, higher-level writing skills, punctuation rules. Less emphasis on: Grammatical rules tested in isolation

No - Error Identification & Sentence Improvement

Writing Questions Study Tips Writing Logic Within Context Reading / Editing Skills Grammar Still Important, But Different Emphasis Punctuation, Common Usage, Transitions, etc.

New Essay For The Redesigned SAT Essay is now 50 minutes long instead of 25 minutes. A passage is written by an author who is taking a stance on an issue. The student's job is to analyze how the author builds the argument. The essay is scored on a scale of 2-8 on each of Reading, Analysis, and Writing. This is not combined with the Reading and Writing section score of 800.

Answering a theoretical prompt Coming up with your own evidence to support your thesis

Analyze how the author builds an argument Cite evidence from the passage Ignore the student's personal stance on the subject These skills are much more relevant for college and ordinary life.

Study Tips For The Essay --evidence: Understand how the author uses data and facts to support the main argument. Understand different types of data - research numbers, surveys of people, statements from authority figures - and why the author cites these examples. --reasoning to develop ideas: Analyze how the author draws inferences from data and extrapolates from data to build larger arguments.

Essay: Predictable and Trainable --stylistic or persuasive elements: Point out specific rhetorical devices that strengthen the argument and connect the author to the reader. Common examples are word choice, hyperbole, figurative language, rhetorical questions, and emotional appeals. -your essay can always follow the same format. Just like the current SAT essay can be answered with a standard 5-paragraph response, every new essay prompt can be answered with the same format focusing on what the argument is and how the author supports it.

Essay: Scale of 2-8 on Reading, Analysis & Writing -you won’t be able to make up fictional examples any longer. Evidence must come from the passage -once again, avoid biases. These passages will sometimes come from recent literature and articulate a viewpoint. Your goal is to analyze how the author constructs the argument, not describe your own stance on the issue.

Old SAT vs New SAT - Reading The passages are longer: 441 words (Old) vs 646 words (New) There are more words: 1985 words (Old) vs 3876 words (New) There are fewer question: 67 questions (Old) vs 52 questions (New) Overall the the passages are harder; however, the tone is more informational. Founding Documents/Great Global Conversation: older language and rhetoric

Reading is More Complex More Content Comprehension

What To Do?

ACT or New SAT Between A Rock And A Hard Place

QuestionYesNo Do does a time crunch make anxious? Are you comfortable in not answering every question? Do you struggle to explain why your answer is correct? Do you think that high level vocabulary words are unnecessary? Can your eyes grab the details in the passage without a close read? Does the idea of math without a calculator makes you sweat? Do you excel at geometry? Do you like to have each topic tested separately? Do you understand experimental design? Do you like science?

Score Results 1-3: You're an SAT person! If you answered "no" to most of the questions, you'll probably find the new SAT more your style. You don't mind slightly harder questions as long as you don't have to rush and don't have to cover too much material. 4-7: You can do either! If you answered "no" and "yes" roughly the same amount, you will probably find the tests equally approachable. If you're willing to put in the time, try taking one practice test for each and see if you have a strong preference. 8-10: You'll like the ACT! If you answered mostly "yes," then you're more of an ACT person. You don't mind moving quickly, memorizing material, or answering questions about science.