IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT
THE NEW PSAT AND NEW SAT

The class of 2006 was the first group of students to take the New PSAT and New SAT.

The New PSAT was offered for the first time in October 2004.

The New PSAT reflects the changes summarized below with two exceptions: 1) the New PSAT does not have a written essay, and 2) fewer Algebra II concepts are on the New PSAT because many students will not have studied Algebra II prior to taking the New PSAT.

WE ADVISE THAT YOU TAKE THE PSAT IN OCTOBER OF YOUR JUNIOR YEAR AND TAKE YOUR SAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MARCH OF YOUR JUNIOR YEAR.

The New SAT includes the following changes:

• Changes to the SAT I Verbal section...
• The name of the verbal section was changed to "Critical Reading."
• Analogies were eliminated and short reading passages have taken their place.
• A Writing section, similar in format to the SAT II Writing Test, was added.
• The writing section includes multiple-choice grammar questions and a written essay.
• The multiple-choice questions require students to identify sentence errors, improve sentences, and improve paragraphs.
• The essay portion requires students to write a timed essay.
  
  
• Changes to the SAT I Math section...
• The Quantitative Comparison section was eliminated.
• Additional concepts (including some Algebra II concepts) that are now tested:
  • Absolute value equations
  • Domain and Range Sets (union, intersection, elements)
  • Linear and Quadratic equations and graphs
  • Sequences involving Exponential Growth
  • Geometric Probability
    

Why did The College Board decide to change the SAT I Reasoning Test?
According to The College Board, the changes to the SAT I were designed to align the test more closely with curriculum and skills required for success in college today: writing, three years of high school math, and strong preparation in critical reading. Don’t worry - many of the changes have made the SAT more coachable, and we have developed new materials that incorporate these changes.

What about SAT II Tests (now called SAT Subject Tests)?
The College Board decided that the SAT II Writing test will no longer be administered and has indicated that the Math IC test might be eliminated as well. Since the New SAT contains a Writing component (similar to that found on the old SAT II Writing test), you do not need (nor can you) to take the SAT II Writing test. In fact, most colleges did not accept SAT II Writing scores from applicants in the class of 2006 and beyond. In addition, many colleges will not be accepting SAT II Math IC scores from applicants from the class of 2006 and beyond.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO PREP FOR THE NEW SAT, VISIT OUR "SAT PROGRAMS" PAGE!