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College Board overhaul of SAT makes essay optional, returns to scale of 1,600

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College Board overhaul of SAT makes essay optional, returns to scale of 1,600

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY MARCH 5, 2014, 10:47 PM
BY  LESLIE BRODY
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

The College Board announced on Wednesday that it was overhauling the SAT to make the college admissions test more focused, useful and geared toward what students really need to know to thrive in college.

To debut in spring 2016, the new version will include more “relevant” vocabulary, return to the 1,600-point scale, from 2,400, and make the major essay portion optional. Writing sections will no longer ask students to opine based on their own experiences but will prod them to analyze texts and cite evidence in their arguments.

The announcement inspired an outpouring of questions, concerns and, in some cases, relief about an anxiety-laden test that has long sparked dread among students and complaints from critics who say it gives an unfair advantage to those who can afford expensive test prep instruction. Many also argue that the SAT is a weak predictor of long-term success.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/College_Board_to_overhaul_SAT_to_make_college_test_more_focused.html#sthash.gWbKqgCu.dpu

3 thoughts on “College Board overhaul of SAT makes essay optional, returns to scale of 1,600

  1. Dumbing down the test to make sure we can’t separate the wheat from the chaff. If all minimally-capable students can ace the test, the best students can’t distinguish themselves. This is political correctness at work, punishing those of us who work hard to try to get ahead.

  2. and what was *your* SAT score, #1?

    Please enlighten us with evidence of your brilliance.

  3. Sounds like soneone heavily invested in test prep.

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