Apr 23, 2014 by Yolanda Fontanez-Coleman | SAT Prep, Test Prep
Have you been following the news about the changes to the SAT? If you haven’t, we have the breakdown here. Here is a comparison chart of the current SAT and the redesigned SAT that will appear in 2016.
Current SAT vs. Redesigned SAT
| Category | Current SAT | Redesigned SAT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Testing Time | 3 hours and 45 minutes | 3 hours (plus 50 minutes for the Essay {optional}) | |
| Components | 1. Critical Reading 2. Writing 3. Mathematics 4. Essay | 1. Evidence- Based Reading & Writing (Reading Test & Writing and Language Test) 2. Math 3. Essay (optional) | |
| Important Features | 1. Emphasis on general reasoning skills 2. Vocabulary Focus (within limited contexts) 3. Complex scoring: a point for a correct answer and a deduction for an incorrect answer; blank responses have no effect on scores | 1. Continued emphasis on reasoning alongside a clearer focus on knowledge, skills and understandings that are most important for college and career readiness success 2. Greater emphasis on meaning of words in context and how word choice effects meaning, tone and impact. 3. Rights-only scoring: a point for a correct answer but NO deduction for an incorrect answer; blank responses will have no effect on scores | |
| Essay | 1. Mandatory & is given at the beginning of the SAT 2. 25 minutes allotted to complete the essay 3. Score based on writing skill; students must take a position on a given issue | 1. Optional & given at the end of the SAT; postsecondary organizations will determine if the essay is needed for admission. 2. 50 minutes allotted to complete the essay 3. Score is based on reading, analysis, and writing skills; students produce a written analysis of a provided source text | |
| Score Reporting | 1. Score ranging from 600 to 2400 2. Critical Reading range: 200 to 800 3. Math range: 200 to 800 4. Writing range: 200 to 800 5. Essay results scaled to multiple-choice writing | 1. Score ranging from 400 to 1600 2. Evidence-Based Reading & Writing range: 200 to 800 3. Math range: 200 to 800 4. Essay range: 2 to 8 on each of three traits 5. Essay results reported separately | |
| Subscore Reporting | None | Subscores for every test, providing added insight for students, parents, admission officers, educators and counselors | |
| Time Allotted in Minutes | Critical Reading 70 minutes for 67 questions/tasks Writing 60 minutes for 49 questions/tasks Essay 25 minutes for 1 question/task Mathematics 70 minutes for 54 questions/tasks | Reading 65 minutes for 52 questions/tasks Writing & Language 35 minutes for 44 questions/tasks Essay (optional) 50 minutes for 1 question/task Math 80 minutes for 57 questions/tasks |