2016 SAT Changes
Everything you need to know about the new SAT
The SAT changed in 2016 and Veritas Prep’s new, advanced SAT curriculum was designed with these changes in mind. No other company will better prepare you for the SAT.Register now!
Structural changes to the SAT:
| Compare | 2400 scale SAT | 1600 scale SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Required Sections | Three required sections: |
Four required sections: |
| Essay Length | 25 minutes / required |
50 minutes / required |
| Essay Scoring | Scored as part of the writing section |
Receives three scores (reading, analysis, and writing) ranging from 2-8. 1-4 points are given by 2 scorers (scores for each dimension are added) |
| Total Exam Time | Around 4 hours |
3 hours without essay |
| Scoring | Highest possible score is 2400, which includes essay |
Highest possible score is 1600 with a separate score for essay (see above) |
| Calculator | Calculator permitted throughout Math section |
Math section includes some no-calculator segments |
| Incorrect Answers | ¼ - point penalty for incorrect answers on multiple choice questions |
No point deduction for incorrect answers |
| Testing Format | SAT delivered on paper only |
SAT available in both paper and digital formats |
Content changes to the SAT:
| Compare | 2400 scale SAT | 1600 scale SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay requires students to form their own argument. No fact based evidence is necessary |
Essay is optional. Essay requires students to evaluate an existing argument through analysis and presentation of evidence (from the passage) |
| Verbal | Passage-based questions do not require students to show work |
Passage-based questions require student to be able to cite specific evidence in test to support answer choice (“new question type”) |
Students aren’t asked to identify evidence to support an answer |
Students will be asked to locate evidence in a passage that best validates the answer to a previous question |
|
Reading passages draw from a limited number of academic disciplines |
Reading passages focus on “Founding Documents” |
|
Vocabulary tested includes obscure words and meanings |
Vocabulary tested relates to “relevant words in context”. Words are widely used in college and professional life and have multiple meanings depending on the context |
|
Critical Reading and Writing include no graphical information |
Evidence-based Reading and Writing includes graphs and tables for science and social studies passages |
|
| Math | Math section is a survey of varying levels of high school math |
Math section focused on algebra, geometry, fundamentals and some advanced math concepts such as trigonometry |
What should I do if I’m in the Class of 2017?
If you know (or have a pretty good idea of) the schools you’ll be applying to this fall, contact the schools to find out if or how they’ll view SAT scores for the 2016-2017 admission cycle. Several schools have already gone on the record indicating they’ll accept EITHER the 2400 scale SAT or the new (1600 scale) SAT.
What should I do if I’m in the Class of 2018?
You’re in luck: the change will not affect you. Because you’ll take the new SAT, you should prepare for the 2016 PSAT (which will be in the new format) and plan to take the SAT during your junior year. By that point, the dust will have settled and the “new” SAT won’t be new anymore, so you won’t have to worry about flux and change.
Option 1: Classroom
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