Yesterday, the College Board, the non-profit organization that administers the SAT Reasoning Test to over one million college-bound high schoolers each year, announced a dramatic overhaul of the tests content, scoring and format. The overhaul represents a responsible step by the College Board to both make the test more accessible and to refocus its content and scoring on skills that translate more directly to academic success.
Debuting in 2016, the new SAT will feature two sections: evidenced-based reading and writing, and math, worth 800 points each for a total of 1600 points. Additionally, test-takers will no longer be penalized for incorrect answers. The newly optional essay will be scored separately, and the reading and writing section will do away with arcane vocabulary in favor of more commonly used words, as well as emphasize evidence-based critical thinking. The math section will also be refocused to include data analysis on top of the algebra questions that are already a part of the current SAT.
By scoring the new, optional essay separately and introducing a revamped reading and writing section, the College Board is following the trend of universities who have decided in recent years to not include the existing SATs writing section score in their analysis of an applicants testing success.
While the College Board predicts that the new test will be more difficult, these alterations should still make it more straightforward and accessible, while simultaneously working to diminish its reputation as an exam designed to trick the test-taker.
In conjunction with the new SAT, the College Board also announced a partnership with Khan Academy to provide free test preparation via the Internet. In its statement, the College Board acknowledged the gap between students who can afford expensive, third-party test preparation and those who cannot. Although students will need access to a high-speed broadband connection to take advantage of Khan Academys test prep, the wealth of information the College Board is willing to provide online for free is an admirable and an important step in leveling the playing field of college admissions.
To provide a more immediate impact, the College Board is releasing hundreds of practice problems from previous tests through Khan Academy. Students taking the existing version of the test can now take practice tests for free. This is a stark change for a College Board that has historically held a vice-grip on any information that students can use to study for the SAT.
The College Boards revision of the SAT Reasoning Test and new free test prep offering through Khan Academy reflects an impressive shift toward testing skills that students actually utilize in the classroom and equalizing access to preparation via a proven non-profit. Despite these improvements, however, the incredible amount of power that the College Board wields over the American education system continues to be problematic. As a private organization, the company sets national high school curriculum via Advanced Placement classes and exams and the SAT Reasoning Test, which is still the preeminent standardized test for college entrance. Students, teachers and parents must hope the College Board makes decisions that benefit the American education system, with little recourse for influencing those choices themselves.
