New SAT? Advice for Juniors

Parents of Juniors? Here’s all you need to know about the NEW SAT.
 
Choosing whether to take the SAT or ACT has never been a simple question, but students in their junior year will face an even more complex decision.  With the launch of the redesigned in March 2016, our nation’s class of 2017 will have another decision to make:

1. Take the current SAT BEFORE the launch of the March 2016 SAT in order to avoid the unknown
2. Take the redesigned SAT
3. Avoid all the chaos and take the ACT!

 
Juniors are skeptical about the changes, and many worry about the implications of the new exam. “We are the guinea pigs, I guess,” grumbled one of my current SAT students, Jackie M. Jackie, an accomplished student near the top of her class, has elected to prepare early in the hope of avoiding the new test all together.
 
As a test prep tutor, I share some of my students’ wariness. Here’s why:

1. Longer turn around time for scores.  While currently students wait about three weeks to receive their scores, the College Board is predicting an upwards of 10-week turnaround time for the redesigned SAT.  Since we use student performance data from one test to improve for the next, this slow turnaround can really slow down the improvement process!

1. A Paucity of Test Prep Materials/Expertise.  Sure, most of the basic skills such as math and reading comprehension contained in the current SAT will apply in the redesigned SAT, there are fundamental changes that will impact how we prepare for and take the test!

1. NO Calculator and Open Response Math Questions

For students with less than desirable arithmetic skills, the enhanced no calculator section of the exam could be a thorn in their sides. In addition, a greater number of open response questions leaves more room for error.
 
 
Luckily, it’s not all doom and gloom for the Class of 2017.  Here are the silver linings:

1. No Penalty for a Wrong Answer!  Gone will be the days of complex skipping strategies on the SAT. The model is simple: rack up points for correct answers.
2. Less Emphasis on Inaccessible Vocabulary: No more sentence completions replete with words most students have never heard.  Instead, emphasis will rest on vocabulary in context.
3. Optional Essay: The redesigned SAT will now have an optional essay component rather than rolling the essay score into the Writing score.  Careful, though: most colleges and universities have not yet published their policies about whether they will require the Essay for the class of 2017.  Best bet? Just take it.

In truth, the new SAT looks more relevant, real-world, and possibly more predictive of college performance.
 
My advice to the Class of 2017? Look at the launch of the redesigned SAT as a unique opportunity rather than a burden!You have more choices than any students in recent history.Carpe Diem!
 
Not sure which test is right for you- ACT, SAT, Redesigned SAT?
 
Contact Tutor Doctor’s Jen Rosier to schedule a free consultation.During this session, we will review your student’s academic profile, goals, schedule, prior test scores, and learning style and to devise a simple admissions test plan!
 
781.301.7272 www.trustedtutorsMA.com