The Old SAT vs. the New SAT

[sukishan]

The Old SAT vs. the New SAT

For 53 years, the SAT remained virtually unchanged. It had two sections—math and reading—both scored on a scale of 200 to 800. The math section tested Arithmetic, Algebra I, Geometry, and Data Analysis with three types of questions -- multiple choice, student-produced response ("grid-ins"), and quantitative comparison. The reading section contained analogies, sentence completions (fill-in-the-blanks), and reading passages. A perfect score was a 1600, with the average score around 1050.

In 2005, the College Board unveiled a new SAT to meet the demands of some colleges which were requiring writing samples. The test now has three sections—math, reading, and writing—all of which are scored on a scale of 200 to 800. The math section includes the same concepts as the previous SAT, but now has added Algebra II. Multiple choice questions and student-produced responses still remain, but the quantitative comparison questions were removed. In reading, analogies were omitted, but the sentence completions and reading passages have endured. Finally, an entire writing section has been added. Students are asked to write an opinion essay, and locate and correct grammar errors in sentences. A perfect score is now 2400, and the average is around 1520.

                                                   OLD SAT                   NEW SAT
Perfect Score                                   1600                           2400
Average Score                                 1050                           1520
Subject Areas                        Reading and Math                   Reading, Writing, and Math
Math Question         
Formats                                Multiple Choice                           Multiple Choice
                                           Student-Produced Response     Student-Produced Response
                                           Quantitative Comparison             


Math Content                         Arithmetic                                    Arithmetic
                                            Geometry                                  Geometry
                                            Algebra I                                   Algebra I     
                                                                                             Algebra II       


Reading Question
Formats                               Sentence Completion          Sentence Completion

                                           Long Reading Passages    Short Reading Passages
                                           Analogies                         Long Reading Passages

Writing Question
Formats                               No writing test                    Essay
                                                                                   Improving Sentences
                                                                                   Identifying Sentence Errors
                                                                                   Improving Paragraphs