For Release: November 28, 2016

December’s SAT® Administration Is Right Around the Corner: What Students Need to Know About the New SAT

On Saturday, December 3, students in communities across the country will take the SAT®. The redesigned test—first administered in March of this year—makes it easier for students to show their best work. The SAT reflects the work students do in class and measures their readiness for college and career.

Since the new SAT launched in March 2016, students have received more information than ever about their academic readiness and benefited from free, personalized, online test practice through Khan Academy® and college application fee waivers. Like the previous version, the SAT is accepted by all U.S. colleges.

Key changes include:

·  Focus on the areas of math that matter most.

·  A move away from obscure vocabulary words to the use of relevant words in context.

·  No penalty for guessing.

·  Focus on command of evidence.

·  Scoring scale was adjusted from 2400 to 1600, and the essay is now optional.


Also, students now have 43% more time per question on the SAT than on the ACT. View a comparison of the previous SAT and redesigned SAT.

Approximately 180,000 more students took the new SAT between March and June of 2016 than took the old version of the test between March and June of 2015.

Students have responded positively to the new SAT.

Following this year’s October SAT administration, the College Board conducted a survey of 46,679 students who completed the exam. The majority of students had positive reactions to taking the new SAT.

·  70% of students said the test reflected what they’re learning in school.

·  By a 7-to-1 margin, students who took both said they preferred the format of the new SAT over the previous version of the test.

·  70% of students said the Reading Test was the same as or easier than they expected.

·  71% of students said they can imagine themselves using vocabulary from the new SAT, versus the “super-advanced words no one has ever seen before” on the previous version.

·  68% of students report that the Math section focuses more on the skills and knowledge critical for success in college and life.

·  90% percent of students like not having a penalty for wrong answers.

Educators and parents have also shown support. Based on recent surveys:

·  Parents are six times more likely to prefer that their child take the new SAT over the old SAT.

·  Nearly 6 in 10 teachers support the changes to the SAT.

·  More than 75% of counselors indicated that they plan to encourage students to register for the new SAT.

Free Practice

The College Board has partnered with Khan Academy to develop free, personalized practice tools for the SAT.

·  Unlike traditional high-priced test prep that focuses on strategies for taking the test and quick cramming, Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy supports and reinforces what students are learning in class by helping them focus on the knowledge and skills essential for college readiness and success.

·  Since June 2016, more than 2.5 million users have logged on to practice for the SAT on Khan Academy.

·  62% of students found this personalized study resource to be extremely or very helpful in preparing for the SAT. One student called it “a godsend.”

Students can access the free tools and practice anytime atsatpractice.org.

Who to Contact

If you plan to cover the December SAT administration, the College Board Communications team can help connect you with College Board officials, as well as with K–12 and higher education experts and educators. Please r call 212-713-8052 if you need additional information, are interested in arranging an interview, or would like photos or B-roll for an upcoming piece.

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About the College Board

The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of over 6,000 of the world’s leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education. Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success—including the SAT® and the Advanced Placement Program®. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators, and schools. For further information, visit collegeboard.org.

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