More than 1,000 students walk the halls of Middletown High School every day, and there is one thing that they all have in common; if they want to get into a good college, the have to go through the SAT test. And after making changes to the test back in 2005, College Board, the company that issues the SAT, has released changes to the test that will go into effect spring of 2016.
The class of 2017 will be the first class to be affected by the new test, which means they will have 3 years to prepare. The test has its upsides and downsides, but overall, I feel like the new test is a bad thing.
First, I’ll start with the good. The new test combines the reading and writing section into what is now called “evidence-based reading and writing.” Both this section and the math section are said to be more focused on “real-world problem solving.” Finally, the SAT won’t be asking simple questions that tell colleges nothing about what you are really capable of. The new test, in my opinion, will give colleges a look at how well you can handle yourself in a more practical, real world situation.
That’s about the only good thing in this new SAT, now for the bad. The essay this time around will be optional, which seems dumb to me. Of course colleges are going to look at who did and who didn’t take the essay as a judgment of your work ethic. People who take the essay will have a better chance of getting into a good school. It makes me wonder who wouldn’t take the essay portion of the test, and why?
Lastly, is the new way the test will be scored. The SAT’s will revert back to the 1600 point maximum they had before the test was changed back in 2005, and in addition to this, there is now no deduction for a wrong answer. Now I know what you’re thinking, “Not getting penalized for a wrong answer? That’s great!” It may seem like a good thing, but between that and the lowered scoring, students won’t have a chance to separate themselves from the pack. The new scoring will puts more advanced students at a disadvantage because colleges won’t be able to see their full potential just by the test scores.
As a junior who has already taken the SAT, I can say that I’m glad I won’t have to take the new test. And for the freshman this year who will have to take the test in 2016, all I have to say is good luck.
