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	Critical Reading Writing Mathematics Essay	Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Reading Writing and Language Math (calculator and no calculator portions) 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)