Prepared for the new SAT in March 2005?
If not, visit www.collegeboard.org for all of the updated information and free resources such as the SAT Preparation Center featuring new SAT test directions, sample questions, and a full length practice test and SAT Question of the Day.
Visit www.collegedata.com to help predict what your chances are in getting admitted to a particular college.
Check out www.vaview.vt.edu for some fun and interactive activities to help you with career planning.
The New SAT: Parent Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions (and answers) about the new SAT®, which will first be given in 2005.
Should My Child Take the New SAT?
2003-04 sophomores will be in the first class to take the new SAT for college admissions in 2005. If your child is in the class of 2006 he should take the new PSAT/NMSQT® in fall 2004, and the new SAT in spring 2005.
If My Child Took the Old SAT, Should She Take the New One, Too?
Your child should check with each college to which she's applying. Some colleges might accept scores from either the current or new SAT for students entering college in 2006. However, many colleges will require the new SAT with writing for students graduating from high school in 2006.
What Will the New SAT Cost? What about Fee Waivers?
The test fee will increase by $10 to $12. Continuing our current policy, disadvantaged students can apply for fee waivers to cover test fees.
Will the Test Be Longer?
The testing time for the new SAT will be approximately a half hour longer. The total time will be 3 hours and 35 minutes.
What Will the New SAT Scores Look Like?
The new SAT will have three scores, each on the familiar scale of 200-800. The score will include writing (W 200-800), mathematics (M 200-800), and critical reading (CR 200-800).
The math and reading scores can be compared to the existing math and verbal scores. This is something colleges need for consistency in admissions requirements. However, the SAT writing score is completely new.
What Will My Child Be Asked to Write About in the Essay?
The essay question will ask your child to take a position on an issue and support it persuasively with examples from studies and experience. It will be an open-ended question so your child can answer it successfully in many different ways. She won't have to have any prior specific knowledge about the topic to write an effective essay.
Will Colleges See My Child's Essay?
A college will be able to view and print your child's essay only if your child sends that college his test scores.
How Will Colleges Use the New Writing Score?
Different colleges will use the writing score in different ways. Writing scores may be used for admissions decisions and possibly for placement in English Composition courses. However, for the first few years, some schools may choose to use writing scores for research purposes only, and not for decisions about admission or placement.
Will the PSAT/NMSQT Change, Too?
Yes, beginning in the fall of 2004, the PSAT/NMSQT, which is typically taken by sophomores and juniors, will include many changes similar to those on the new SAT. However, the PSAT/NMSQT will not include an essay. In addition, there will be no third-year college preparatory math questions in the math section of the PSAT/NMSQT, but there will be additional concepts in numbers and operations, algebra and geometry.