PICS OF DAY

PICS OF DAY
Virgin Mary In Tree Stump?

°

Homepage / Education
Text Size

New SAT Makes Debut

UPDATED: 9:14 pm EST March 12, 2005

Thousands of high school students take the SAT each year, but now the test is getting an overhaul.

The changes have students and parents nervous.

High school student Mike Hetrick is planning to attend college in the fall. He's a good student, but the Hanover High senior was nervous when he took the SAT.
  SURVEY
Is the SAT a fair and accurate way for universities to measure a high school student's chance of academic success in the first year of college?


"I don't know, lot of pressure, what I'm gonna do with my future and stuff," Hetrick said.

Hetrick is also concerned because the SAT is debuting a new exam, one he's heard is much harder.

"I heard there's gonna be a lot more geometry and stuff on it," Hetrick said.

"It's a very big deal," Jennifer Martin, with the Sylvan Learning Center in Lancaster, Pa., told TV station WGAL.

Martin said students have reason to be concerned. The changes on the SAT are significant.

"I think kids are nervous because they don't know what to expect and what they're looking for," Martin said.

The entire test has been overhauled in order to better reflect what high school students are learning.

There are no more analogies and some math sections have been eliminated.

But some things have been beefed up, like harder math questions and more critical reading.

"The newest part of the SAT is a whole new section. There is now a writing, grammar section of the SAT that was not part of the test before," Martin said.

Test administrators said the redesigned test isn't harder than the old one -- just different, according to The Associated Press. But that hasn't kept a record number of kids from using test preparation companies like Princeton Review and Kaplan for help.

Martin said there are some strategies you can use to do better on the test.

For example, the essay section will ask students to voice their opinion.

"The biggest thing is whatever you choose, support it the whole way through. Don't be wishy-washy. That'll be huge in your score," Martin said.

Also, don't be afraid to leave questions blank, she said. And, above all, try to stay relaxed.

The first group of students will take the new SAT this Saturday.
Links We Like
Sponsored Content
You should feel safe and secure in your house, but ignoring hidden dangers could risk your family's safety. Learn on how to prevent accidents in the home. More

So you're looking for a bargain in a sea of foreclosures? It won't be easy. Buying a foreclosure is tricky, but do your homework and follow these 10 steps, and you can land a great deal on a home. More

If you have aspirations of becoming a millionaire, check out these five habits that may be worth emulating. More

Do you want the look of a quality paint job without the hassle of having to redo it over and over? Spray on siding could be the answer. More

Most Popular

Marketplace