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Fresh Eyes

SAT Changes For The Better

 

By: Erin Gloster, Editorial InternSAT prep books

Being a junior in college, my high school experience is merely a part of my past. With new information from my college classes, and more recent experiences filling my memory, many of the things I did in high school have been blurred. But, there is one aspect of high school that I will most likely never forget, SATs. As a high school student expected to go to college, you are almost always required to take the SATs. On top of college applications, Advanced Placement courses, and the other pressures of teenage years, these students are expected to prepare daily for a test that partially determines their admission into their prospective institution of higher learning.

Originally standingfor Scholastic Aptitude Test and then changed to Scholastic Assessment Test, the SAT was first introduced in 1926. The most current SAT, was introduced in 2005. Taking 3 hours and 45 minutes to finish, this test costs anywhere from $50 to $100. The possible scores range from 600 to 2400, with combined test results from three sections—each 800 points—Mathematics, Critical Reading, and Writing. The College Board claims that the test measures literacy, writing skills, and how well students can analyze and solve problems. But, students, high school teachers, college admission coordinators and even parents disagree with this statement. The administered test truly measures how well one can take the test. Measuring math and verbal skills is ideal, but the structure of the test, does not achieve this goal.

But, there is hope! Come spring of 2016 these following changes will be made to the SATs:

  • Optional essay portion
  • 1600 is the new highest score (instead of 2400)
  • 3 hours long
  • no penalty for wrong answers
  • Removed obscure vocabulary
  • Test prep classes available for low-income students

This first change since 2005 allows for students of different social groups to succeed on the SAT and then eventually in higher secondary education.

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