Bottom line:The new SAT is a TikTok of a test, just snippets of language. Each passage is forgettable, so students really need to focus on important words or phrases.
In some ways, it is harder to engage with the format of the new SAT verbal sections. Every passage and question is on a completely different topic. A passage and the associated question can be somewhat convoluted, especially if they get the harder 2nd module.
My tips for the verbal modules: VERBAL: General Reading and English
Look at the question first and pay attention to specific key words such as function…, undermine…, support…, specify…, transition…, emphasize…, claim…, and any words that are notable or different. Find evidence in the passage that relates to those words.
Eliminate two wrong answers. What’s wrong with one of the remaining answers?
Science: What is the graphic about? What isn’t relevant/what is false in the answer choices?
Reading
Do a nutshell summary of the main idea after reading the passage. Nutshell Summary (sum up the paragraph in one sentence) example: The scientists developed a spectroscopic tool to test light waves in space, providing proof of their theory that light waves will reflect heat rays. Answer: The spectroscopic tool enabled scientists to gather data on light waves, facilitating the development of a heat-proof paint that protects astronauts in space. (*No, I didn’t consult a scientist here…)
Questions with the words “IF true…” mean the student needs to INFER something not stated. Do the nutshell summary and connect it to the next logical step. See nutshell summary example, above.
Vocabulary: read for context (what comes before and after the word in question.) Think of your own word and find one that matches. Eliminate two, put your choice back in to see that it works.
English
For punctuation, many questions are focused on commas. Is there just a pause in the sentence? That’s usually a comma. Or do you need to stop in the middle because there two sentences? That’s probably a colon, a period, or a semi-colon.
Use context (what comes before and after the underlined segment) to answer transition word questions: however, meanwhile, furthermore, thus, nevertheless, consequently, as a result, instead, likewise…
Student Notes questions can most easily be answered by focusing on the keywords in the question.
Students can mark questions for review. There is no way to view all the questions at once, so it’s a crapshoot to figure out which questions might be a better use of review time. For that reason, I recommend focusing review on either vocab questions, or punctuation questions. Most students are losing points on vocab and punctuation.
Here are tips from my math tutor colleague on the new SAT:
MATH:
REMEMBER THE FIVE STEPS!
Read the question.
Re-read the question.
Solve directly if possible. An algebraic solution is almost always the most efficient approach. If the question says “…which of the following…” then you may need to test each answer choice.
Re-read the question AGAIN to make sure you are ANSWERING THE QUESTION THAT IS
BEING ASKED!
Select/write in your answer.
Taking an on-line test:
• Just because the test is on-line doesn’t mean that you don’t need to write stuff down. Taking notes on problems or making a sketch and writing down the algebra before picking up your calculator frees up working memory and allows you to think more clearly. Otherwise information will just swim around in your head.
Adding this math tip from a CC user:
use both desmos provided and installed calculator programs on your ti-84. With both of these things, almost all the questions can be solved quickly which allows you to focus on the few remaining non-computational math questions
I think the best strategy for math is to use both desmos provided and installed calculator programs on your ti-84. With both of these things, almost all the questions can be solved quickly which allows you to focus on the few remaning non-computational math questions.
Do you think they “dumbed it down”? That is generally how I feel about it. I keep wondering if this devalues the test even further. In my daughters cohort, it feels like everyone got a perfect score on the math part of the PSAT.
I think your tips are great. I am going to share with D25 who is getting ready to peer tutor her first group through Schoolhouse. Its a great free resource for anyone who needs a little structure in their practice.
Yes, in my opinion. I’m sure College Board would disagree. In some ways, I think it’s clever how the test developers were able to condense a whole research paper into three to five sentences.
Again… It’s a TikTok of a test. It’s designed for people with no attention span. At least from the perspective of reading and writing skills. This new test does zilch to see if students are comprehending what they are reading. Instead, it’s more like a word puzzle to extract meaningful snippets of information.
At least with the old test and the ACT, you might feel that you learned a little something, even if most of it was boring.
And there was also some passage that threw you for a loop I am going to miss SAT reddit!
I agree that reading comp went out the window! There is a lot of talk about the value of the math section to access preparedness, but there is something to be said about reading and understanding those passages.
Princeton is the only school I have seen state that they will not super score across formats because “they are not the same test.” That they were the only one surprised me. For my part, I am grateful D25 wrapped her testing in December. I can’t help but wonder if the scores will be view the same way by AOs for this class that straddles both.
“For those who choose to submit testing, we allow applicants to use the score choice feature of the SAT and accept only the highest composite score of the ACT, but we encourage the submission of all test scores.”
We read every single day. Even on tiktok . Math is valuable, but I am pretty sure there are whole days where I never think about a number. A world without reading is pretty limited.
I think it is, especially in the reading/writing section. Those problems are so easy and you don’t have to search for evidence because the passages are so short.
I’m not entirely sure I agree with this. I said above that I think many questions and passages are convoluted. If students are not focused on the right words, they have a really hard time getting the question right.
Here’s a very rough example of how a student might be confused by an answer choice. Obviously I can’t use CB material, so this is made up: Nutshell summary:
A classic literary collection, Die Lederhosen, is typically attributed to 17th century German writers, before the invasion of the Gauls in 1630. However, further analysis reveals references to cultural and historic events of the early 1700s. Thus, scholars believe___________… complete the sentence.
A. The invasion inspired the writings.
B. The melodrama of the poetry was marred by the trauma of battle.
C. Most of Die Lederhosen predates the influence of the Gauls, and subsequent additions were made after 1700.
D. The literary traditions apparent in Die Lederhosen were influenced by the Gauls.
Of course, the paragraph on the test would be longer than my nutshell example. The wording in the full paragraph is such that a lot of students would choose D, confusing “literary traditions” with cultural ones. C would be the correct answer. Students will focus on the invasion, rather than focusing on the fact that later events were evident in the book.
If anyone from CB is reading this, hopefully I’ve made them chuckle at my mock question.
Well, CB would of course not agree their test has been dumbed down. My colleagues also think it’s much easier, but we are looking at it from a different perspective than 16-17 year olds, so what do we know?
Have you got a different link? The one above says page not found.
As an added note, my earlier prediction that students might shy away from the new SAT at first has proven to be false. I am swamped with students taking the SAT and almost none want to take the ACT, at least right now.
The new SAT will definitely help students with ADHD. Reading through long passages with the stress of time running out was the root cause of low test grades for some.
I’m not seeing a substantial difference in that regard so far. I still have students running out of time on this test. As I mentioned though, there is less material to digest for each question, so that might make the test more manageable for some students. Students are still seeking testing accommodations if they are eligible.
My info is from Compass Prep, which I find to be generally reliable. It’s quoted so I assume it was directly from the university. They usually don’t update the website until summer. Having said that, the SAT has been digital internationally for a year now so
Princeton: No; “Applicants are welcome to submit scores from multiple SAT test dates, and across multiple testing formats, if they would like them considered within our holistic review of their application. However, given their distinct differences in format, we will not SuperScore sections of the digital SAT with sections of the (paper/traditional) SAT.”
My theory (which could be completely wrong) is that the test is easier for kids at a certain high level. The SAT isn’t hard for those kids anyway, but the long format offered more opportunities to get tripped up/space out on a long section.
Thanks for starting this thread. My C24 went TO, but C26 will definitely test, so I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do!
I know CB has posted a few practice digital tests, but it seems like Khan Academy’s old feature where you could connect your test results for tailored prep isn’t working. C26 is a very strong test taker so just needs some self-guided prep. Any suggestions about how best to do that for the digital SAT?
Khan Academy is literally using all of CB’s material right now. In fact, in the practie score section on CB, there is a link right to each question on Khan, which takes the student through all types of questions. So she should start there. There are study guides by non-College Board companies, but I personally don’t recommend anything other than official material.
Right now, test prep material is thin on the ground. Hopefully CB releases another test or two after March.
I am going to miss SAT reddit!
. Math is valuable, but I am pretty sure there are whole days where I never think about a number. A world without reading is pretty limited.
