You have probably heard that the SAT is changing, but you may not know how or why. In this presentation, we would like to help demystify the new test, helping you to see that while it is a harder test, it’s a better, fairer test, and one that, with a bit of preparation and a lot of hard work, you can score very well on. In this presentation, w'll cover what is in the new SAT, focusing especially on the way it’s changing from the current exam. Why and how the new SAT is likely to be more challenging to students; and, therefore, what you can do to prepare for this new test, because it’s coming soon…

1. What the
NEW, harder SAT
Means For You

2. 1. What is in the new SAT?
2. What makes the new SAT so challenging?
3. How can I prepare for the new SAT?
Agenda

3. New PSAT: October 2015
New SAT: March 2016
When will tis happen?
When will this happen?

4. 11th / 12th
Graders
• Unaffected
• Prepare for the OLD SAT/ACT
10th
Graders
• Generally should prepare for the NEW SAT
• Exception: if you have already prepared for and are likely
to score highly on OLD SAT on your first or second try.
9th
Graders
• Prepare for the NEW SAT
Who does this affect?

5. • More respected by colleges
– “The new test will be more deeply aligned with the knowledge
and skills that will enable students to appreciate great literature,
recognize the beauty of mathematics, and access cutting-edge
science and the fundamentals of engineering.”
• William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions, Harvard
• Better prepares you for success in college and the
real world
• If you change your mind, you’ve been preparing for
the harder test, not the easier one.
If the new test is harder, why take it?

6. • Scored on a 400 to 1600 scale
• Math score out of 800
• Verbal (combined Reading and
Writing) score out of 800
• Essay score out of 8 (out of 4 for
writing; out of 4 for analysis)
• 4 answer choices per question;
guessing penalty eliminated!
• 3 hours & 50 minutes
(including “optional” essay)
• Common Core aligned
General test changes

7. What is
Common Core?

8. State governors and
education officials began
this initiative in 2009 in
response to two problems:
• Inconsistent standards
among states
• Perceived low standards in the
United States compared to those
in the rest of the world
The Common Core: Origins

9. • Provide a consistent, clear
understanding of what
students are expected to
learn so teachers and
parents know what they
need to do to help them
• Designed to be robust &
relevant to the real world
• Create students who are
better prepared for college
and career
The Common Core: Goals

10. The Common Core: Adoption
Source: www.corestandards.org
IT’S COMING…
The Common Core: Adoption
Adopted
Not Adopted

11. • The current SAT lags behind
the ACT in alignment with
“what’s taught in school”.
• Colleges are questioning
the SAT.
• The Architect of the Common
Core, David Coleman, is now
the President of the
CollegeBoard.
The new SAT & the Common Core

12. So what does this mean?
The New SAT is unofficially the
“12th Grade Common Core
Assessment”

13. 1. Math
2. Evidence-Based Reading
& Writing
3. “Optional” Essay
The test: Three subjects

14. Topic %
Heart of Algebra
• Analyzing and fluently solving equations and systems of equations
• Creating expressions, equations, and inequalities to represent relationships
• Rearranging and interpreting formulas
35%
Problem Solving and Data Analysis
• Creating and analyzing relationships using ratios, proportions and percentages
• Describing relationships shown graphically
• Summarizing qualitative and quantitative data
28%
Passport to Advanced Math
• Rewriting expressions using their structure
• Creating, analyzing, and fluently solving quadratic and higher-order equations
• Manipulating polynomials purposefully to solve problems
27%
Additional Topics in Math
• Making area and volume calculations in context
• Investigating lines, angles, triangles, and circles using theorems
• Working with trigonometric functions
10%
Math

15. Algebra I Geometry Algebra 2 Precalculus
Geometry Alg II/Trig PreCalculus
Calculus AB
or BC
Geometry/Alg
II
Precalculus Calculus AB Calculus BC
Standard math schedules

16. Common Core New SAT
Know how to “use tools strategically”
No calculator for some sections.
Problems with multiple potential solution paths
• Practice A LOT to sharpen mental math skills.
• For every new topic learned, practice an extra 30 minutes daily.
• Learn to tackle problems from multiple angles.
• Try problems both with a calculator and without one.
Math

17. Common Core New SAT
Fewer Topics in Greater Depth Terms and definitions are critical for success.
• Master the fine print: take notes & never skip a problem in your own
math textbooks!
• Consider your math schedule and how it lines up with the SAT.
• You need to know up to Trigonometry, and even Pre-Calculus.
Math

18. Common Core New SAT
A focus on “Real world scenarios” Expect to see tons of word problems.
• Become a word problem guru.
• Not only do you need to know the math, you need to know how
different topics relate to each other.
• Many word problems will require multi-step solutions so train
yourself to think in “step-by-step” processes.
Math

19. • Math will be more challenging!
• Fewer topics but you’ll need more in-depth knowledge!
• Your problem solving skills will need to be stronger
• There will be multiple ways to solve a problem, but you’ll need
to decide the “optimal” path to solving a problem
• Mental math will be required for No-Calculator sections
• Word problems, word problems, word problems!
• With a focus on “Real World” scenarios, you’ll be seeing far
more graphs, charts, and word problems!
So what does this mean?

20. Current SAT: Reading

21. Committed/
devoted
Setting aside
for memorial
purposes
Reading: Focus on multiple meanings

22. Every passage will have
2 of these!
Tricky vocab not
“tested” but language
in text is harder – if you
can’t understand the
passage, you can’t
answer the questions!
Reading

23. Common Core New SAT
• Literary Skills across various subjects
• Read and analyze U.S. documents of historical
and literary significance
• College-level reading passages
• More non-fiction text from science, history, and
social studies
• Some passages will be from “Founding
Documents” or from the Greater Global
Conversation.
• Challenge yourself by reading more non-fiction. Biographies of
famous U.S. historical figures are a great start.
• Take notes when you are reading through your history or
science textbooks from school.
• Get familiar with U.S. founding history.
Reading

24. Common Core New SAT
• Emphasis on diagrams and data analysis
• Reading & Writing will include tables, charts, and
other graphics
• Read a LOT. Never skip those charts and graphs in your history or
science textbooks.
• Read a LOT of non-fiction, especially newspapers like the New York Times
or the Wall Street Journal.
Reading

25. Common Core New SAT
• Citing Textual Evidence
• Evidence-based reading and writing will include
paired “evidence” questions.
• The answer you choose for one question will
directly affect the other.
• Practice the art of Close Reading!
• Learn to analyze text & understand how the author is using evidence.
• Engage with what you read; don’t just try to understand what the author is saying, but
think about whether you agree or disagree and why.
Reading

26. • Reading will be harder!
• When was the last time you read a speech from a U.S.
Senator or Supreme Court Justice?
• No such thing as “skimming!”
• Close Reading Skills require lots of practice & long-term
development.
• “Reading” isn’t enough – deeper interpretation matters!
• Do you carefully read the charts found in your textbook
for subjects like history & science? What about those
pesky charts used in newspaper articles?
So what does this mean?

27. Common Core New SAT
• Literary Skills across various subjects
• Read and analyze U.S. documents of historical
and literary significance
• College-level reading passages
• The Writing Test requires a LOT of reading.
• Get a head start by using the ACT’s English Test to practice the type of reading &
revising skills the New SAT will test.
• Strength of argument matters; this is not ONLY a grammar test.
• Review your basic grammar & usage rules.
Writing

28. • Writing will be harder!
• You have only 35 minutes for 4 passages (44 total questions)
• You’ll need to read passages, revise word usage, grammar, &
sentence structure – much like revising a research paper!
• You’ll need multiple skills
• Strong vocabulary, command of evidence, using charts &
graphs
• Essay is scored separately & won’t help your writing score!
• You need strong rhetoric & composition skills.
So what does this mean?

29. The Essay
“Optional”...but not really!
The Essay

30. Current SAT

31. 2012 AP English Language & Composition FRQ #2:
Read Kennedy’s remarks carefully. Then write an essay in
which you analyze the rhetorical strategies President
Kennedy uses to achieve his purpose. Support your analysis
with specific references to the text.
New SAT

32. • Do not skip the essay!
• Study rhetoric, argumentation, and composition.
• Learn how to close read and write based on analysis.
• Practice a lot using AP English Language and
Composition “Analysis Essay” prompts.
• Write a lot – daily – so that it becomes a habit.
Essay

33. • The essay will be more challenging and complex!
• You need to engage with a passage rather than rely on
generic responses.
• You’ll need multiple skills
• You’ll need to use CLOSE READING skills.
• You’ll need to use ANALYSIS skills (argumentation, style,
diction, literary devices).
• You’ll need to use WRITING skills.
• It’s not truly “optional”
• The best colleges will require it!
So what does this mean?

34. The goal of the CollegeBoard is to make
the SAT more relevant to what students
need to succeed in college and in their
careers and more closely match what is
studied in school.
However…
improving at schoolwork is hard!!
We wrote the book on the NEW, harder SAT.
So how do I prepare?

35. Create a Plan

36. 10th Graders
(Class of
2017)
• You can take the New SAT starting in the spring of your
Junior Year (March 2016).
• Start studying NOW – C2’s NEW SAT Curriculum is a
great place to start.
9th Graders
(Class of
2018)
• You can take the NEW SAT as early as the spring of sophomore year.
• Start reading and writing a lot!
• Learn to love word problems.
• Make sure you’re on the right math track.
8th Graders
(Class of
2019+)
• Focus on improving long-term skills by reading a lot, writing daily,
and practicing mental math.
• C2 can help improve your school grades and teach those skills in
the process.
• Figure out your math schedule.
New SAT — Make a plan

37. Diagnostics
• Pinpoint strengths and weaknesses
• Provide a basis for a customized program
Customized
Programs
• Tailored to meet each student’s needs
• Focus on weaknesses instead of needless review
Excellent
Teachers
• Score in the 95th percentile
• Not just educators, but mentors and support system
Amazing
Results
• Average SAT increase of 350 points (3 points on ACT)
• 100% see grade improvements within one year
The C2 Method