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.
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