Prep Prep Prep for the New SAT

On By Branford Buzz
By Danni Dunlop  The new SAT has replaced the old version this year and on Wednesday Branford High School’s juniors will all take the new standardized test during school. The SAT is also the new exit exam for Connecticut high school students. The College Board’s vice president for college-readiness assessments, Stacy Caldwell said that “The new SAT’s are designed to be more straightforward and students should feel confident taking it because it focuses on the skills that are most important for college success.” Some changes among the new SAT are that:
  • The new composite score will range from 400-1600 rather than 600-2400;
  • There will be four answer choices instead of five;
  • The essay section will be optional;
  • Vocabulary will be more familiar in the student’s eyes and
  • Calculators will only be permitted for use in some sections.
Students had a total of 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the old SAT. It also included a required essay; the new SAT is a bit shorter, but if students decide to take the optional essay it will be 3 hours and 50 minutes. The College Board hasn’t yet determined how the scoring will be aligned from the old SAT to the new one but what we did find out is that students will not be penalized for putting down incorrect answers. Mrs. Aimee Bonn, one of the guidance counselors at BHS, said that students are asking questions about how to prepare for the test more anything else. A good way to help students prepare for the SAT is to go onto Khan Academy; Which is a website and app that provides students with practice exercises, instructional videos and a personalized learning dashboard that empowers learners to study at their own pace, both in and outside the classroom. According to Education Week, “Since the College Board began offering free online test preparation with the Khan Academy in June, more than 660,000 users logged onto the site and completed 15 million practice items” that it has to offer. Charlee Grady, a junior at BHS, used Khan Academy to help her study for the SAT and also took the SAT prep courses here at BHS for free. “I’m nervous because standardized testing is hard,” Grady said. “You really need to dig deep in the text and know your vocabulary.” The test prep focuses on core academic skills needed to be successful on the SAT and in high school and college. But no matter what, it seems like every time students hear the words “Standardized testing,” they automatically cringe up and get really nervous. Claudio Rojas, another junior here at BHS said “If I pass, I’m successful and if I don’t pass, I have to put all of my work into studying again.” But, the last thing you want to do is stress about a test. So students – remember to keep your head held high, study hard and always give it your best. Good luck to all the students taking the SAT. What do you think of the new SAT? Tell us in the comments or tweet @branfordbuzz.