1. Boston Tutoring Services: The Redesigned SAT

2. The Redesigned SAT: Highlighting Changes
Changes to the SAT
Current SAT
(available through January 2016)
New SAT
(available March 2016 and after)
Scoring and Administration
1/4 penalty for wrong answers
Score is out of 2400
800 for Math/800 Reading Comp/800 Writing
Only offered in Paper Format
No wrong-answer penalty
Score is out of 1600
800 Math/800 Reading and Writing/
Optional Essay (scored separately)
Offered in Paper and Digital Format
Subscores provided which adds additional insight into student performance.
Anatomy
3 Critical Reading sections
20-25 minutes each
3 Writing sections
10-25 minutes each
Includes 1 Essay test (25 minutes)
3 Math sections
1 Experimental test - 25 min
5 answer choices for multiple-choice questions
1 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing test
65-minute Reading section
35-minute Language and Writing section
1 Math test
55-minute section with calculator
25-minute section without calculator
1 Essay test (optional) - 50 minutes
4 answer choices for multiple choice questions
Timing
3 hours, 45 minutes
3 hours, 50 minutes (with optional essay)
Essay
Essay required - 25 minutes to complete and given at the beginning of the test
Essay optional and scored separately - 50 minutes
Read a piece, analyze and explain how author builds an argument
Tests reading, analysis, and writing skills. Given at the end of the test.
Math
Wide array of topics
Emphasis on computational skills
Calculators for all sections
More focused:
Problem-solving and data analysis
"The Heart of Algebra"
"Passport to Advanced Math"
Real-world problem solving accompanied by informational graphics
Calculator permitted for 37 questions; not permitted for 20 questions
Reading and Writing
Critical Reading
Sentence Completions
Passage-based questions - short and long
Writing
Multiple-choice questions and Essay
Evidence-Based Reading
No Sentence Completions
U.S. and World Literature, History/Social Studies, and Sciences Passages
Writing and Language
Tests "Expression of Ideas" and "Standard English Conventions" -
passage topics: Careers, History/Social Studies, Humanities, and Science

3. The Redesigned SAT: Visual of Changes

4. Comparison of Key Features - Overarching Content Changes
Current SAT
Redesigned SAT
Emphasis on general reasoning skills
Continued emphasis on reasoning alongside a clearer,
stronger focus on the knowledge, skills, and understandings most important for college and career readiness and success
Emphasis on vocabulary, often in limited contexts
Greater emphasis on the meaning of words in extended contexts and on how word choice shapes meaning, tone and impact
Complex scoring (a point for a correct answer and a deduction for an incorrect answer; blank responses have no impact on scores)
Rights-only scoring (a point for a correct answer but no deduction for an incorrect answer; blank responses have no impact on scores)

5. Comparison of Test Length and Timing on four major tests

6. Insight Scores - The New SAT Score Matrix
One total score (out of 1600)
Two section scores (each out of 800)
One evidence-based reading
One Math
Four test scores (out of 40)
One reading
One writing and language
One math
One essay (optional)
Two cross-test scores (out of 40)
Analysis in science
One analysis in history/social studies
Seven sub-scores (out of 15)
Expression of ideas
Standard English Conventions
Words in Context
Command of Evidence
Heart of Algebra
Advanced Mathematics
Problem Solving and Data Analysis

7. SAT Reading Test Content Specifications
Time Allotted
65 minutes
Passage Word Count
3,250 words total from 4 single passages and 1 pair; words per passage or paired set
Total Questions
52 questions
All questions in this section are multiple Choice (4 options) and passage based.
Words in Context (Both Reading and Writing and Language Tests)
10 questions (2 per passage)
Command of Evidence (Both Reading and Writing and Language Tests)
Analysis in History and Social Studies (Across Math, Reading and Writing and Language Tests)
21 questions (all history/social studies)
Analysis in Science
21 questions
Passage Contents
US and World Literature
1 Passage; 10 questions
History/Social Studies
2 Passages or 1 Passage and 1 Pair; questions each
Science

8. SAT Reading Test - Distinctive Features with Samples (1/2)

9. SAT Reading Test - Distinctive Features with Samples (2/2)
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10. SAT Writing and Language Test Content Specifications
Time Allotted
35 minutes
Passage Word Count
1700 words total from 4 passages; 400–450 words per passage
Total Questions
44 questions
All questions in this section are multiple Choice (4 options) and passage based.
Contributions of items to Subscores and Scores
Standard English Conventions
20 questions
Words in Context
8 questions (2 questions per passage)
Command of Evidence
Analysis in History/Social Studies
6 questions (all Expression of Ideas questions in history/social studies)
Analysis in Science
(Across Math, Reading, and Writing and Language Tests)
6 questions (all Expression of Ideas questions in science)
Passage Contents
Careers
1 Passage; 11 questions
History/Social Studies
Humanities
Science

11. SAT Writing and Language Test - Distinctive Features with Samples (1/2)

12. SAT Writing and Language Test - Distinctive Features with Samples (2/2)

13. SAT Math Test Content Specifications
Time Allotted
80 minutes
Calculator Portion (38 questions)
55 minutes
No-Calculator Portion (20 questions)
25 minutes
Total Items
58 questions
100%
Multiple Choice
45 questions
78%
Student-Produced Response
13 questions
22%
Contribution of Items to Subscores
Heart of Algebra
19 questions
Analyzing and fluently solving equations and systems of equations
Creating expressions, equations, and inequalities to represent relationships between quantities and to solve problems systems of equations
Rearranging and interpreting formulas
Problem Solving and Data Analysis
17 questions
Creating and analyzing relationships using ratios, proportions, percentages, and units
Describing relationships shown graphically
Summarizing qualitative and quantitative data
Passport to Advanced Math
16 questions
Rewriting expressions using their structure
Creating, analyzing, and fluently solving quadratic and higher-order equations

14. Detailed Redesigned SAT Math Content Breakdown (1/2)

15. Detailed Redesigned SAT Math Content Breakdown (2/2)

16. SAT Math Test- Distinctive Features with Samples (1/3)

17. SAT Math Test- Distinctive Features with Samples (2/3)

18. SAT Math Test- Distinctive Features with Samples (3/3)

19. SAT Essay Test Content Specifications
Time Allotted
50 minutes
Section Description
One Passage - based Prompt of words. Arguments written for a broad audience and at a high school reading level.
Test Complexity
High School Reading Level (grades 9–12) 1
Analytical Scoring
Reading
1–4 scale
Analysis
Writing

20. SAT Essay- Distinctive Features with Samples (1/2)

21. SAT Essay- Distinctive Features with Samples (2/2)
Clear, Powerful, Evaluation Criteria

22. Quiz
1. What are the main differences between the Essay Section of the old and new SAT? (list at least 3 changes)
2. Will students have more or less time for each question on the New SAT?
3. What are sub-scores? How many are there and what are they testing?
4. How has the role of vocabulary changed on the new SAT?
5. Are there more or less sentence completions on the new SAT?
6. What are the three main areas of focus on the math section of the new SAT?
7. What types of math problems will students see in the ‘Additional Topics in Math’ section?
8. Describe changes to question structure on the new SAT - number of answer choices, deductions for wrong answers.
9. True or false, unlike on the current SAT, the re-designed SAT is offered in digital format.
10. How will the use of calculators change with the new SAT?