137_The New SAT Focuses on College Success™ Skills

• 97% of college-bound students complete 3 years of math so the test will more closely measure the math they are already studying.. The Changes to the SAT and the PSAT/NMSQT Math • Quan

The New SAT ®

Important

Information for High School

Math Teachers

The New SAT Focuses on

• Critical Reading

• Mathematics

• Writing

The SAT ® tests students’ reasoning based on

knowledge and skills developed through their course work

It measures their ability to analyze and solve

problems

by applying what they have learned in school.

Time Frame

• October 2004: New PSAT/NMSQT ®

• March 2005: New SAT

Time Frame

Class of 2006 will take new SAT

• Class of 2005—current seniors

Current SAT as seniors in fall 2004

New SAT as seniors in March 2005 (if necessary)

• Class of 2006—current juniors

New PSAT/NMSQT as juniors in fall 2004

New SAT as juniors in March 2005 and later

New SAT as seniors

Has the SAT Ever Changed

Before?

• Yes, the SAT has changed several times since

it was first administered in 1926.

• The SAT evolves to meet the changing needs

of students, teachers, and colleges.

• The most recent changes were made

in 1994 (Adding writing to the SAT was

recommended but not possible in 1994 due to

inadequate technology and lack of large number

of readers needed.)

Why Is the SAT Changing?

• To better reflect today’s classroom practices

and curriculum by replacing analogies with

short reading passages and quantitative

comparisons with more math problems, some

including content from third-year

college-preparatory math

• To reinforce the importance of writing skills

• To help colleges make better admissions and

placement decisions

Will the New SAT Be Harder?

• No, the new SAT will be designed so that a student who could

score a 500 on the math section (for example) of the current SAT could score a 500 on the math section of the new test.

• 97% of college-bound students complete 3 years of math so the test will more closely measure the math they are already

studying.

• Extensive field trials confirmed that students are taking more

upper level math, which is why the overall difficulty of the test is not affected.

• While the test is longer, field trials also confirmed that the

increased length of the test has no impact on the students’

scores.

The Changes to the SAT and

Verbal

• Name will be changed to critical reading.

• Analogies will be eliminated

• Short reading passages will replace analogies

and will measure the kind of reasoning formerly measured by analogies.

The Changes to the SAT and

the PSAT/NMSQT

Math

• Quantitative comparisons will be eliminated

• The content is being expanded to reflect the mathematics that

college-bound students typically learn during their first three years

of high school.

• The reasoning aspects of the test together with the expanded

content will more effectively assess the mathematics necessary for student success in college.

• Math content on the PSAT/NMSQT will also be enhanced, but it will not include Algebra II because most students will not be familiar with that level of math.

(A) The quantity in column A is greater

(B) The quantity in column B is greater

(C) The two quantities are equal

(D) The relationship cannot be determined from the

information given

Correct Answer: B

The Changes to the SAT and

the PSAT/NMSQT

Writing

• Multiple-choice grammar and usage questions

• Will measure the student’s understanding of how to use language in a clear, consistent manner, how to revise and edit, and how to recognize an error in a sentence.

• Student-written essay (SAT only)

• Will measure the student’s use of language: logical presentation of ideas, development of a point of view, and clarity of expression under timed conditions.

• Essay practice tool provided AT NO COST to all schools administering the PSAT/NMSQT.

The Changes to the SAT and

the PSAT/NMSQT

Skills Feedback

• The PSAT/NMSQT provides individualized feedback

to students through its Score

Report Plus

• The College Board is developing a similar tool

for the SAT.

Feedback

Score Report Plus

Score Report Plus

• Tells students how their scores compare with those

of other sophomores or juniors

• Tells students what SAT score ranges they can

expect

• Includes a question-by-question breakdown

• Helps students identify strengths and weaknesses and provides tips on how to improve specific skills

PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus

New in 2004

Students will use their Score Report Plus code to access free

enhancements online at www.collegeboard.com/psatextra:

• Complete explanations for all answers, including why some

answers were wrong.

• Full explanations of answers for additional higher-level math

practice SAT questions on the back of the PSAT/NMSQT

score report.

• Entire SAT essay scoring guide, plus actual sample essay papers

at every score point for the practice essay on the back of the

PSAT/NMSQT score report.

Skills Feedback

Score Report Plus

Improve Your Skills—Examples

• Being precise and clear

• How to improve: Learn to recognize sentence elements that are

ambiguous and confusing In your writing, choose words carefully and connect them for clear meaning See questions 4, 6, 8

• Understanding geometry and coordinate geometry

• How to improve: Review geometry units in your textbook involving

perimeter, area, volume, circumference, angles, lines, slope

Familiarize yourself with the formulas given at the beginning of math

sections of the set See questions 7, 13, 19.

Time Specifications

PSAT/NMSQT

Current

2 hours 10 minutes 2 hours 10 minutes Critical

30 minutes

One 30-minute multiple-choice section

Current SAT New SAT

Variable

Time Specifications

SAT

Test Content and Question

Analogies

Sentence Completion Critical Reading: short and long reading passages

Math

Multiple-choice items, produced responses, and quantitative comparisons measuring:

student-Number and Operations;

Algebra I and Functions;

Geometry; and Statistics, Probability, and Data Analysis.

Multiple-choice items and student-produced responses measuring:

Number and Operations;

Algebra I, II, and Functions;

Geometry; and Statistics, Probability, and Data Analysis.

Writing

Multiple-choice items: Improving sentences and paragraphs, and identifying sentence errors Student-written essay: Effectively communicate

a point of view on an issue, supporting a position with reasoning and examples.

Essay 2–12 (1/3 of writing score) Multiple-choice 20–80

(2/3 of writing score)

Test Scores

The New SAT Field Trial

• Field trial was conducted in March 2003 to

determine the impact of changes to the SAT and

The New SAT Field Trial

Based on field trial results, the College Board expects

that:

• Changes to the math and verbal sections will not affect the difficulty

or reliability of the test.

• Performance differences by subgroups (by race/ethnicity and gender)

on the new SAT will not be exacerbated The relative differences in scores for underrepresented students will not increase due to any of the changes implemented with the new SAT.

• The score scales for math and critical reading on the new SAT will be comparable to the score scales on the math and verbal sections of the current SAT.

• The longitudinal data will be maintained For example, a 600 on the new critical reading section will be equivalent to a 600 on the current verbal section, and a 580 on the new math section will be equivalent

to a 580 on the current math section.

Math Section

Measures problem-solving skills

• Emphasis on math reasoning: SAT math measures the ability to apply math content to real-life problems

• The SAT is unique in having some “grid-in” questions requiring student-produced responses—as

recommended by NCTM (National Council of Teachers

Most Four-Year Colleges

Require

3 Years of Math for Admission

• 70% of all high school students finish

Algebra II

• 97% of college-bound students complete

3 years of math and 69% complete 4 or

more years of math

• 92% of minority college-bound students

complete 3 years of math

Calculator Policy

• A scientific or graphing calculator will be

recommended for the new tests.

• Though every question can still be answered

without a calculator, calculators are definitely

encouraged.

• Previously, a basic 4-function calculator was

recommended, but now scientific is the base level recommendation

• Students should bring a calculator with which they are comfortable and familiar.

Calculator Policy

The following are not permitted:

• Powerbooks and portable/handheld computers

• Electronic writing pads or pen-input/stylus-driven

(e.g., Palm, PDAs, Casio ClassPad 300)

• Pocket organizers

• Models with QWERTY (i.e., typewriter) keyboards

(e.g., TI-92 Plus, Voyage 200)

• Models with paper tapes

• Models that make noise or “talk”

• Models that require an electrical outlet

• Cell phone calculators

Math Section

Number and

Operations

t 8

The Enhanced Math Section

Number and Operations

Sequences involving exponential growth

• Questions that require knowledge of exponential growth or

geometric sequences Example: 7, 21, 63, 189, … is a

geometric sequence that has constant ratio 3 and begins with the term 7

The term obtained after multiplying n times by 3 is 7 x 3 n

• Since these sequences have real-life applications, questions

might be presented in contexts such as population growth

• Example: a population that initially numbers 100 and grows by

doubling every eight years The expression 100 x 2 would give

the population t years after it begins to grow.

The Enhanced Math Section

Number and Operations

Sets (union, intersection, elements)

• Questions might ask about the union of two sets

(i.e., the set consisting of elements that are in either set or both sets) or the intersection of two sets

(i.e., the set of common elements)

• Example: If set X is the set of positive even integers

and set Y is the set of positive odd integers, a

question might ask students to recognize that the

union of the two sets is the set of all positive integers

Math Section

Algebra and

Functions

Absolute Value

• Students should be familiar with both the concept and notation

of absolute value and be able to work with expressions,

equations, and functions that involve absolute value

Rational Equations and Inequalities

• Example: Equations or inequalities involving such

expressions will be included on the new SAT

Radical Equations

• Example:

Enhanced Math Section

Algebra and Functions

Integer and Rational Exponents

• On the current SAT, exponents are restricted

to positive integers The new SAT will have

expressions such as z -3 involving negative

exponents

• There will also be expressions such as m where the exponent is a rational number.

3 4

Enhanced Math Section

Algebra and Functions

Integer and Rational Exponents–Sample Problem

If x -3 =64, what is the value of x ?

(A) (B) (C) 4 (D) 8 (E) 16

Correct Answer: B

What’s new about this question?

The current SAT has questions involving positive integer exponents The new SAT will

such as x

1 2

1 2

1 4

1 2

Enhanced Math Section

Algebra and Functions

Direct and Inverse Variation

• Questions involving quantities that are directly

proportional to each other

• The quantities x and y are directly proportional

if y= kx, for some constant k They are said to

be inversely proportional if y= for some

constant k

k x

Enhanced Math Section

Algebra and Functions

Enhanced Math Section

Algebra and Functions

Function Notation

• Students should be familiar with both the concept of

a function and with function notation

2 x , students should know that f(5) = 5 + 2 5 = 37.

Function Notation–Sample Problem

If f is a linear function and if f(6)=7 and

f(8)=12,

what is the slope of the graph of f in the

xy-plane.

Correct Answer: or 2.5

What’s new about this question?

The new element in this question is the use of the notation f(x)

to refer to the function.

5 2

Enhanced Math Section

Algebra and Functions

Enhanced Math Section

Algebra and Functions

Concepts of Domain and Range

• The new SAT will include questions that ask about values of x at

which a particular function is not defined (outside the domain), or

values that f(x) cannot equal (outside the range).

Functions as Models

• The new SAT will include questions that involve mathematical

models of real-life situations

• A question might present information about the projected sales of a product at various prices and ask for a mathematical model in the form of a graph or equation that represents projected sales as a

function of price.

Enhanced Math Section

Algebra and Functions

Linear Functions–Equations and

Graphs

• The new SAT will include questions involving

linear equations, such as y=mx+b, where m and

b are constants

• Some questions may involve graphs of linear

functions

Linear Functions–Equations and Graphs–

Sample Problem

In the figure above, if line k has a slope of -1, what is the y-intercept of k?

(A) 6 (B) 7 (C) 8 (D) 9 (E) 10

Correct Answer: B

What’s new about this question? The use of the term “y-intercept.”

Enhanced Math Section

Algebra and Functions

Note: Figure not drawn to scale

Enhanced Math Section

Algebra and Functions

Quadratic Functions–

Equations and Graphs

• Questions involving quadratic equations and/or

their graphs may appear on the new SAT For

example, a question might involve comparing

the graphs of y=2x 2 and y=2(x-1) 2

Math Section

Geometry and

Measurement

Geometric Notation for Length,

Segments, Lines, Rays, and

Congruence

• Geometric notation such as and will

be used The term “congruent” and the

congruence symbol will be used

Enhanced Math Section

Geometry and Measurement

Problems in which trigonometry may be used

as an alternative method of solution

• The new SAT will include more questions that rely on the

special properties of 30-60-90 triangles or 45-45-90

triangles

• Example: In the triangle below, the value of x can be found by

using trigonometry (sin 30 o = But the value of x can also be

determined with the knowledge that in a 30-60-90 triangle, the leg opposite the 30-degree angle is half as long as the

hypotenuse

x 12

Enhanced Math Section

Geometry and Measurement

Properties of Tangent Lines

• Questions on the new SAT may require knowledge

of the property that a line tangent to a circle is

perpendicular to a radius drawn to the point of

tangency, as illustrated below

Enhanced Math Section

Geometry and Measurement

Enhanced Math Section

Geometry and Measurement

Coordinate Geometry

• Some questions on the new SAT may require

knowledge of the properties of the slopes of

parallel

or perpendicular lines

• Some questions may require students to find the equations of lines, midpoints of line segments, or distance between two points in the coordinate

plane.

Qualitative Behavior of Graphs and

Functions

• A question on the new SAT might show the graph

of a function in the xy-coordinate plane and

ask students to give (for portion of graph shown)

the number of values of x for which f(x)=3

Correct Answer: 4

Enhanced Math Section

Geometry and Measurement

Enhanced Math Section

Geometry and Measurement

Transformations and Their Effect on

Graphs of Functions

• The new SAT will include questions that ask

students to determine the effect of simple transformation on graphs of functions

and students would be asked questions about the graph

of function f(x+2)