New SAT vs. Current SAT

Today the College Board released the full specifications of the new SAT, which is scheduled to roll out spring 2016. Below is an overview of the major differences between the current and new SAT.

Category

Current SAT

New SAT

Total Testing Time  3 hours and 45 minutes 3 hours (plus 50 minutes for the optional Essay)
Test Sections
  1. Critical Reading
  2. Writing
  3. Mathematics
  4. Essay
  1. Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
    • Reading
    • Writing and Language
  2. Math (calculator and no calculator portions)
  3. Essay (optional)
Important Features
  • Emphasis on general reasoning skills and vocabulary
  • A point for a correct answers, a ¼ point deduction for an incorrect answer, and  no impact for omitted answers
  • Emphasis on reasoning with a stronger focus on the knowledge most important for college and career readiness
  • Greater emphasis on the meaning of words in context and on how word choice shapes meaning and tone
  • No penalties for wrong answers
Essay
  • Required and given at the beginning of the SAT
  • 25 minutes
  • Students take a position on a presented issue
  • Optional and given at the end of the SAT; colleges determine whether they will require the Essay
  • 50 minutes
  • Tests reading, analysis, and writing skills; students produce a written analysis of a provided source text
Score Reporting
  • Scale ranging from 600 to 2400
  • Scale ranging from 200 to 800 for Critical Reading; 200 to 800 for Mathematics; 200 to 800 for Writing
  • Essay results scaled to multiple-choice Writing
  • Scale ranging from 400 to 1600
  • Scale ranging from 200 to 800 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing; 200 to 800 for Math; 2 to 8 on each of three traits for Essay
  • Essay results reported separately

 

Current SAT

Redesigned SAT

Subject

Time Allotted
(minutes)

Number of
Questions

Subject

Time
Allotted (minutes)

Number of
Questions

Critical Reading

70

67

Reading

65

52

Writing

60

49

Writing and Language

35

44

Essay

25

1

Essay
(optional)

50

1

Mathematics

70

54

Math

80

57

Total

225

171

Total

180
(230 with Essay)

153
(154 with Essay)