BY EATHAN OYERBIDES
It may seem that standardized testing is all people can talk about in education these days, but it's not exactly a new topic. In the late 1800s, a group of leading American universities were concerned about not having a universal way to determine if students were ready for college course work. They formed the College Entrance Examination Board, and working together, they administered the first standardized exam in 1901.
For the first time, students could take one entrance exam for several universities instead of taking a separate exam for each university to which they applied.
Over the years, it's undergone many changes, the most recent of which were established in 2005. Knowing these changes has been important in understanding the point and purpose of the SAT as a test, and in understanding how best to prepare for it.
Next March, more changes will come to the SAT, including making the writing portion optional (colleges will still be looking at it, so it will not be a waste of time.), as well as changing the grading scale (from 2400 to 1600). While critical reading and math are still the main subjects, more common vocabulary will be asked about, the math portion will include more real life situations, and the calculator will only be permitted during certain parts of the math. The duration will be three hours, and students will be given an additional 50 minutes for the persuasive writing portion will be an additional 50 minutes. Finally, your average student may like the last change best: no more penalties for wrong answers.
“I feel that it’s a good thing," college readiness and scholarship counselor Tiffany Patterson said. "I think the transition will be beneficial. It will also be more of a realistic approach."
Students looking for more information about the upcoming changes to the SAT can find it at the College Board's SAT website.
It may seem that standardized testing is all people can talk about in education these days, but it's not exactly a new topic. In the late 1800s, a group of leading American universities were concerned about not having a universal way to determine if students were ready for college course work. They formed the College Entrance Examination Board, and working together, they administered the first standardized exam in 1901.
For the first time, students could take one entrance exam for several universities instead of taking a separate exam for each university to which they applied.
Over the years, it's undergone many changes, the most recent of which were established in 2005. Knowing these changes has been important in understanding the point and purpose of the SAT as a test, and in understanding how best to prepare for it.
Next March, more changes will come to the SAT, including making the writing portion optional (colleges will still be looking at it, so it will not be a waste of time.), as well as changing the grading scale (from 2400 to 1600). While critical reading and math are still the main subjects, more common vocabulary will be asked about, the math portion will include more real life situations, and the calculator will only be permitted during certain parts of the math. The duration will be three hours, and students will be given an additional 50 minutes for the persuasive writing portion will be an additional 50 minutes. Finally, your average student may like the last change best: no more penalties for wrong answers.
“I feel that it’s a good thing," college readiness and scholarship counselor Tiffany Patterson said. "I think the transition will be beneficial. It will also be more of a realistic approach."
Students looking for more information about the upcoming changes to the SAT can find it at the College Board's SAT website.