The New SAT vs the Current SAT vs the ACT
A Preliminary Look
| Current SATTotal Time/#Questions | Revised SAT - Effective For Class of 2017:(this is based on College Board’s 208 page DRAFT Release of Test Specifications for the Redesigned SAT found here: https://www.collegeboard.org/delivering-opportunity/sat/redesign **Some features of the new test, such as timing, length, and scores to be reported, may still be adjusted pending the outcome of CollegeBoard studiesThis new test will "go live" with the PSAT in the Fall of 2015 - until then, the Current SAT will be the only SAT offered.Total Time/#Questions | ACT (With ACT update, reporting will change but the test will remain the same) Total Time/ #Questions | |
| Math | 70min./54 Questions (approx 1/3 emphasis on geometry - includes algebra, sequences, permutations does not include trig) 800 points | 80 min/ 57 Questions(1/10 emphasis on geometry - includes trig, a lot of algebra functions, algebra 2, area of circle, and complex numbers - more word problems with direct application to real-world events) 800 points | 60min/60 Questions (pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry) |
| Reading | 70min/67 Questions (Passage topics are random - includes uncommon vocabulary) 800 points | 65 min/52 Questions (Passages will focus on science/history and social science - vocabulary will be tested in context) 400 points | 35 min/ 40Questions (Passages broken down into Prose Fiction, Humanities, Social Science and Natural Science) |
| Writing | 60min/49 Questions (called writing)- revision of sentences 800 points | 35 min/44 Questions (called writing and language) - revision of passages/may include tables/charts/graphs - 400 points | 45 min/75 Questions (called English) - revision of passages |
| Essay | 25min/1 prompt score goes into writing score | 50 min/ 1 prompt (optional) - graded separately from final math/reading/writing - will test reading and analysis as well as writing | 30 min/ 1 prompt (optional) |
| Science | none | (incorporated into reading,writing and math sections) | 35 min/ 40 Questions |
| Total | 225 min (3 hours 45 min)/ 171 Questions | 220 min (3 hours 50 min)/153 Questions | 205 min/215 Questions |
| Penalty for Guessing? | yes | no | no |
| Total Possible Points | 2400 | 1600 **big change here in that math will be 800 possible points and reading and writing will be 800 possible points combined - this test places more weight on math than the current SAT - Essay will be scored separately | 36 |
| Scores will be broken down by subject and concept | no | yes | yes (there will be more detail with the new ACT reporting) |
| Calculator allowed for entire math section? | yes | no | yes |
Key Points -
- The Revised SAT very similar to the ACT
- Math will be more heavily weighted on the Revised SAT
- EDNavigators recommends that the class of 2017 take the current SAT and/or the ACT because there are too many uncertainties about the format of the new SAT as well as the timing of score releases and concordance tables for the new SAT
- We will continue to share information we get about test changes as soon as they are available
How to prepare for these tests:
- READ often
- Understand math concepts - not just to get a good grade in school, but for yourself - You need to know the concepts after you are tested on them in class. The new SAT puts more weight on Math than the current SAT
- Put down your calculator! Practice math without using the calculator. It won’t be allowed for part of the math section of the SAT
- There are strategies, but no shortcuts. Just like anything else in life, success comes from dedication and preparation.
Sandy Aprahamian, EDNavigators LLC