<p>Hey everyone! Been a crazy day today with the Collegeboard releasing its 200-page documenting (in detail) new changes to the SAT. I’ve been absorbing it as much as I can to prepare for the new test.</p>
<p>But I’m curious…what do you guys feel is the biggest frustration about this test? What’s the one obstacle that just kills you or freezes you into inaction that you don’t even know what to do? We spend so much time obsessing about this test, it consumes are lives…but I wonder what your guys’ reasons for doing well on this test are? What all you trying to achieve here?</p>
<p>People who can take the current SAT seem to have it easier, since the current form is a known entity. What are you guys scared of? And if you’re a freshmen who’s going to be faced with this new SAT…what scares you? I’m sure parents are laying the pressure on thick too!</p>
<p>I wouldn’t let it “consume” you. There are more important things in life (and high school) than the SAT.</p>
<p>True, the new SAT might be harder initially to prepare for since there will be a lack of accurate practice materials, but at least you have no required essay or obscure vocabulary. But life works like that a lot.</p>
<p>Agreed. It’s a daunting test though…both the current and new SAT…so I’m curious what everyone finds the most stressful or difficult about this test? And what people’s reasons for wanting to do well are (besides the obvious)?</p>
<p>The scores on that test can determine whether you have much of a chance for admissions to the top colleges and for merit money. You want a shot at Harvard? Even with a hook, you need that test score to at a certain level. Tell someone you have an 1800 SAT, and you are applying there, and if they know the way it works at colleges and test scores, they’ll likely tell you that your chances are about zero. with a 2340, well, the picture changes and other things come into play without being so spectacular. Want merit money? A 2340 is good for a full tution award at a number of school 1800? not so much. The list shortens.</p>
<p>Yeah, definitely sucks when it feels like there’s a numerical barrier to entry. It’s like you have all these other things going for you…a hook, good grades, extracurriculars, even connections…but if your score doesn’t meet the standard, you get passed over for any serious consideration at that college.</p>
<p>So are you saying you want a high score to get considered by the college or more for the merit money?</p>
<p>Nothing. It’s an obstacle that you must overcome. Some may curbstomp it and ruthlessly beat it into a coma while others merely shove it out of the way, but you will get through it.</p>
<p>@foolish Meaning you don’t think it’s a big deal of a test? It’s just something to get over with, but it doesn’t really stress you out too much?</p>
<p>pwcpeng, what year are you in? The new SAT doesn’t come out until 2016 (they’re just releasing data about it) so you’re likely going to take the same SAT that everybody has been taking…</p>
<p>I’m not a student. I’m just genuinely interested in what exactly is causing so many people, even high-scoring students, to freak out about this test. I mean, there’s the obvious - because it has a huge impact on college acceptance and scholarships, but I think there’s something deeper. Seems to me that students are frustrated, parents are frustrated, everyone is frustrated. Do people truly worry so much because they think doing poorly means they will be labelled dumb? Do they think their lives are ruined? If so, why? That all the work they put in the past X years of their lives was for nothing? Or is it just an ego thing - people have done well in other areas of life, but this one thing has been tough to conquer, so it jeopardizes their perception of themselves? Do people fear letting their parents down?</p>
<p>I think it’s a very interesting psychological question. What do people TRULY fear about this test, and WHY they are truly hoping to get a good score? I mean, if you really think about it, why exactly do so many people want to get into Harvard and Stanford? Is it just to show off a badge of honor? Is it validation that you did well in life? Is it because they think elite schools will set them up on a successful career path and connect them with the right people/networks? Or do they have something to prove to someone (maybe themselves) - that yes, I CAN do well on this test? No judgment here. I’m just honestly fascinated what kind of reasons and dreams people have.</p>
<p>And what is the biggest thing that is mentally blocking people from doing well? Is it just not knowing the material? Or is there too much info out there that people don’t know whose advice to take? Is it not having a systematic strategy to follow, and it feels like they are just blindly patching up holes here and there, but not actually improving significantly? Or are people freaking out because they don’t know if they are focusing on the right areas?</p>
<p>where could someone find the “200-page” document of the new SAT changes?</p>
<p>Thanks!
When would sample questions and the first practice test be released?</p>
<p>“And what is the biggest thing that is mentally blocking people from doing well?” </p>
<p>Intelligence?</p>
<p>I am class of 2016, will the SAT changed affect me?
I’m just curious as to if i should spend a lot of time preparing for the current versions.</p>
<p>The mental blocks are different for everyone. Please don’t speculate about others. I’m curious what each individual thinks about him or herself. Is the mental obstacle test anxiety or knowing how high stakes the test is or not wanting to be considered dumb or what?</p>
<p>The new test affects current freshmen looking to take it in their junior year. AggieProud, what do you think your biggest frustration or barrier with the test is?</p>