SAT Harder or Easier Today Than In Your Day?

Marian
Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:20:04 +0000

This post was accurate:



9th grade: algebra 1
10th grade: geometry
11th grade: algebra 2
12th grade: precalculus/trigonometry
college: calculus, if needed for major



Given this sequence of courses, how do you create a math test that all students can take in their junior year of high school? The answer seems obvious: you include only questions that require a knowledge of algebra 1 and geometry on the test. You don’t include material that isn’t taught until algebra 2 or precal/trig.

This is exactly what the SAT test designers have done.

It’s important to remember that in many U.S. high schools, students do not have the opportunity to progress in math any faster than the sequence shown above, no matter how good they are at math. Those students should not be penalized on the SAT for their lack of knowledge of math concepts that they have not been taught.