Latest US Test news – the new SAT I

Along with the news of the new “Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success” (see previous blog), the new SAT I comes into force in 2016. This is a joint venture between Collegeboard (https://www.collegeboard.org/) and the Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org/). January 2016 will be the last time the old SAT I is offered. After then the new SAT I will begin on March 5^th.

What’s different about the new SAT I?

It will now be on the 400 – 1600 scale instead of up to the 2400 scale. It will have 3 parts (instead of 4): Math, Reading & Writing, and the Essay (which is now optional and has a new format). It will be 3 hours and 50 minutes (or 3 hours without the essay). There will be no deductions for wrong answers and it can be taken in paper format or on computer.

Current SAT vs. New SAT (2016)

	Current SAT	New SAT (2016)
Scoring	600 – 2400	400 – 1600 Subscore and Cross-test Scores available
Timing	3 Hours 45 Minutes	3 Hours (+50 minute optional essay)
Sections	· Critical Reading: 200-800 · Writing: 200-800 · Math: 200-800 · Essay (included in Writing score)	· Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 200-800 · Math: 200-800 · Optional Essay (separately scored)
Guessing Penalty	1/4 guessing penalty	no guessing penalty
Format	Available in print	Available in print or on computer

(Taken from http://sat.ivyglobal.com/new-vs-old/)

New SAT Structure

	Evidence-Based Reading and Writing	Math
Sections	· 65-minute Reading section · 35-minute Writing and Language section	· 25-minute No Calculator section · 55-minute Calculator section
Questions	· 52 Questions (Reading) · 44 Questions (Writing and Language)	· 20 Questions (No Calculator) · 38 Questions (Calculator)
Score Range	200-800	200-800