Preparing Your Students for
the Redesigned SAT
TRiO Educational Talent Search is 100% grant funded by the United
States Department of Education & proudly hosted by Finlandia
University as part of the TRiO Pre-College Outreach Program.
ACT vs SAT vs Redesigned SAT
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The Redesigned SAT
Highly passage based
No obscure vocabulary
Two sections of math
Infographic Questions
Critical Thinking
ACT
Old SAT
Redesigned SAT
Total Score
36
2400
1600
National
Average
20-21
1500
TBD
Test Sections
English, Math,
Science, Essay
Critical
Reading, Math,
Writing
Writing &
Language, Math,
Reading
Guessing
Penalty
No
Yes
No
Essay
Optional
Optional
Required
(1/4 point)
SAT Skill
http://www.criticalreading.com/
Reading Test
52 questions, 65 minutes
Skill-Based building insight for ALL GRADES 9-12.
• Passage Based
• 500-750 words/passage
• 10-11 questions/passage
• 4 Single Passages + A pair of
related passages = 6 passages
• Informational Graphics
• Passages from well known
authors, research and
documents
• Information & Ideas
• States and implied ideas, ability to cite ideas
• Determine theme, summarize parts of and
whole passage
• Draw connections and interpret meaning
• Rhetoric
• Analyze word choice and passage structure
• Analyze point of view, purpose, and
arguments
• Synthesis
• Analyzing multiple texts
• Analyzing quantitative data
*Correct answers are derived from only what is stated or
implied, not from prior knowledge that a student has about the
topic. Everything needs to be evidence based.
Test-Based. Getting more specific
Command of Evidence
Find evidence in a passage (or pair of passages) that
best supports the answer. Identify how authors use
evidence to support their claims. Find a relationship
between an informational graphic (graph, table,
picture) and the passage with which it’s paired.
Words in Context
Focus on important, widely used words and phrases.
Use context clues in a passage to figure out which
meaning of a word or phrase is being used.
Decide how an author’s word choice shapes
meaning, style, and tone.
Analysis in History/Social Studies and in
Science
Includes passages in the fields of U.S. and World literature,
history, social studies, and science.
Questions may ask you to:
Examine hypotheses
Interpret data
Consider implications
Areas of Concern
 READING TEST
 Command of Evidence – Supporting an answer choice with
evidence from the passage. ( 44 , 47 )
 Analyzing/interpreting text and data - Recognizing where the
author changed focus and used an infographic to answer
questions. (43 , 50 , 51 , 52 )
 50, 51, 52 are specific to an infographic. All students we meet appear to struggle with this.
Please turn to page 15 in the practice test booklet to see the example question.
Try One!
Check your own.
Thoughts?
First Reading Section 11 Questions
Writing & Language
44 questions, 35 minutes
Skill-Based building insight for ALL GRADES 9-12.
• Passage based
• 400-450 words each
• 11 questions per passage
• 4 passages
• Informational graphics
• Line based
• Passages specifically
written for the SAT
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Expression of Ideas
• Eliminate unnecessary language or sentences,
utilizing data and passage to support main ideas
• Ensuring flow of passage supports main ideas, best
use of transitions, introductions and conclusions
• Correct context usage of vocabulary, eliminate
redundancy, consistency of style and tone.
Standard English Convention
• Recognizing and correcting sentence fragments,
flow of sentences, problems with misplaced or
dangling modifiers, and shifts in tense and voice
• Eliminating vague or ambiguous pronouns
• Correct usage of possessives & commonly
confused words
• Correct punctuation through out sentences,
elimination if necessary
Along with this in Writing and Language on the SAT
Repeat from Reading:
Command of Evidence
Words in Context
Correct answers are derived
from a student successfully
playing the role of an editor.
Analysis in History, The Arts, and
Sciences
*All subject areas are on board, integrated into one Writing Test!
It’s not about teaching content, but teaching students how to:
1) Interpret different content
2) Understand implications of what is put in front of them
3) Edit and make it most precise for readers.
This section intentionally “messes up” passages and wants students to “fix”.
Areas of Concern
 WRITING & LANGUAGE
 Transitions – How to best connect a sentence/paragraph with the next one. ( 4 , 10 )
 Verb agreement – Choosing the correct form(tense) of a verb. ( 6 )
 Revision – How to most effectively combine two sentences. ( 8 )
 Concision – Determine which word(s)/sentence(s) are necessary and which are redundant
in a sentence/paragraph. ( 9 , 11 )
#1: Verbs
•Is the verb in the correct form and tense?
•Does it agree with the subject?
#2: Pronouns
•Does the pronoun agree with the noun it's
replacing?
•Is it in the correct case?
#3: Gerunds (-ing verbs)
•Is the gerund replacing a main verb and
creating a sentence fragment?
•Is it part of a list that isn't parallel?
#4: Prepositions
•Is the preposition idiomatically correct?
•Does it incorrectly complete a word pair?
#5: Adjectives and Adverbs
•Is the modifier of the correct type?
•Are -er and -est used appropriately? (Rare)
#6: Conjunctions
•Is the conjunction creating a sentence fragment?
•Does it logically connect ideas?
#7: Nouns
•Is the noun part of a faulty comparison?
•Is the sentence consistent in its use of plural
and singular nouns? (Rare)
#8: Relative pronouns (who, which, that, etc.)
•Is the correct pronoun used for the context?
•Does the pronoun have a clear noun antecedent?
Math
Calculator: 38 questions, 55 minutes
No Calculator: 20 questions, 25 minutes
• No Calculator
• Solving equations
• 5 Grid-In Questions
• Calculator
• Story Problem Based
• 8 Grid-In Questions
Skill-Based insight building from GRADES 9-12.
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Heart of Algebra
• Linear equations and systems of linear equations
• Ability to create and solve
• Make connections between different linear relationships
Problem Solving and Data Analysis
• Ratios, percentages, proportional reasoning
• Real world situations from science, social science, and
career context
• Quantitative literacy: describe graph relationships and
analyze data
Passport to Advanced Math
• STEM Based: science, technology, engineering & math
• Complex equations and functions
Additional Topics
• Six questions regarding geometry, trigonometry, radian
measure and arithmetic of complex numbers
Grid In
Formulas Will Be Provided
• Critical thinking in math requires interpreting, analyzing, and
drawing conclusions from the information you are given.
Areas of Concern
 MATH
 Heart of Algebra - Writing one variable equations then solving and how to change an expression. ( 6 , 19 )
 Problem solving/Data analysis – Analyze/interpret an infographic (chart , graph , table). ( 7 , 9 , 21 , 22 )
 Passport to Advanced Math – Calculating arithmetic mean and solving a two equation system. ( 29 , 30 )
Please turn to page 40 on the practice for example discussion.
Stretch, bathroom break as
needed.
Give problems a shot as able!
Try One!
Check your own.
Thoughts?
*Lots of reading in
the math section, too!
Essay
50 Minutes
• Passage Based
• 650-750 words
• Analyze an argument using
textual evidence from passage
• No opinion
• Expression of authors style, tone,
bias, word choice
Score Title
Scored Skills
Reading
Understanding of passage
Analysis
Ability to identify and explain the
authors persuasive elements
Writing
Skillfully craft a response that is
technically correct
Standard Essay Prompt
As you read the passage below, consider how {the author} uses
• Evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims
• Reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence
• Stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power
to the ideas expressed.
Write an essay in which you explain how {the author} builds an argument to persuade {his/her}
audience that {author’s claims}. In your essay, analyze how {the author} uses one or more of the
features listed above {or features of your own choice} to strengthen logic and persuasiveness of
{his/her} argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage.
Your essay should not explain whether you agree with {the author’s} claims, but rather explain how
the author builds an argument to persuade {his/her} audience.
Examples of Essay Elements
• Persuasive elements
• “It was the best week of my life!”
• “Trust me, it’s not worth your money.”
• Style
• First person vs Third Person
• Argumentative, Descriptive
• Tone
• “Mom? Why can’t I attend the basketball game?”
• “What’s the big deal anyway, Mom? It’s just a game!”
• Bias
• Author lives in a small, rural community
• Author refers to leadership roles in gender specific terms
• Word choice
• Good vs Fantastic
• Lots of Rain vs Torrential Downpour
Essay passages examine ideas, debates, trends, and the like in the arts, the
sciences, and civic, cultural, and political life that have wide interest,
relevance, and accessibility. The passages tend not to be simple pro/con
debates on issues but instead efforts to convey nuanced views on complex
subjects.
Read sample student essays:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/samplequestions/essay/1
Encourage students to imagine they could have a discussion with the author of the prompt.
Their job is to analyze purpose, audience, and/or any tools and specific
language used. REPEAT: The SAT does not want to know a student point of view, but how students
can reflect and write successfully on how the author gets his or her point across.
Ways to Help Prepare Students
• Get tech savvy! Encourage the Daily Practice
App at home, and use Khan Academy in the
classroom, for assignments, extra credit, etc.
• Use engagement suggestions and/or
accountability log to show progress
• Show a short video daily, or weekly from the
Khan Academy “Tips and Planning” section
(To be covered more in detail).
• Review standards of English convention, critical
thinking, linear equations, etc in the classroom
• Ask students to read newspaper articles/essays/
research (math, science)/political and cultural
documents and to write a response of how the
author makes their argument without showing
their own opinion.
Daily Practice App
• Question of the Day
• Explanation of Correct and
Incorrect answers
• Access to tests
• Instant Grading
Khan Academy
www.khanacademy.com/sat
• Able to connect to Daily
Practice App
• Able to connect with PSAT
Scores
• Personalized SAT tutoring—
Identifies areas of strength and
weakness even without PSAT
• Practice Quizzes: Levels 1-4
• Tutorial Videos
• Full Test Print Out
Can students who have not yet taken the PSAT
begin to prepare and get into an SAT mindset?
YES!
More than one way for 9th-10th grades:
1. Not quite ready to
dive into the SAT specific
prep? Khan has so much
to offer in multiple subject
areas.
2. Any student can begin
The NEW SAT practice.
Once in it will ask a
few questions and then
begin to put students on
short diagnostic quizzes.
4 for math, 4 for reading/writing
and language. Once complete
the site acts just as if PSAT
scores have been integrated.
This page is more general www.khanacademy.org (no/sat on the end)
PSAT Scores and Khan are already linked!
What do my students see?
How can it be used in a classroom?
When students re-login, it is important that they get themselves to NEW SAT test practice. It
will have saved where they left off prior. https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
Depending on the course you teach, either
Reading and Writing or Math Practice may be
accessed.
The Practice Recommendation Box
In either subject area tab, a practice box
comes up and recommends what the student
may/should start working on in relation to
PSAT results. Example:
1) This student got a level 2 and it is suggested he
or she work on Data Inferences.
2) 5 questions come up as a short quiz. Take it!
3) Khan will then tell the student if the skill is raised,
lowered, or stayed the same.
No progress? No clue? Watch an instructional
video that will lead a student to try again.
Scroll down from recommendation box to find all 43 math skills, 1-2-3-4 leveled scores, AND instructional
videos. Students are able to get more assistance where they need it! (Same in Writing/Language)
Keeping Students Engaged…Ideas
1. Students could take a screen shot of the practice
box recommendation before they begin and then
after (particularly if a level has raised). Email screen
shot to teacher.
2. Skill area does not raise? Students could watch an instructional
video; either taking notes in a journal or on an index card (post
it note) and then retry practice questions. Consider posting
notes students take on a board under the categories: Reading
and Writing, Math, or Tips and Planning.
Be sure they put a heading on their note card or stick it. (Any
student, whether struggling with a concept or not, may
choose to watch a video and give a short summary of tips on
a card to be posted.)
3. For students who may not dig into
the subject based practice
recommendations, encourage them
to try a little, and then go to “Tips and
“Planning”, where they could choose
a topic, make notes, and share as
well.
4. Students are able to take a
screen shot and print out full lists
of practice areas and how they
scored. (recommend printing
back to back)
Student levels
will be shown.
Helpful for class comparisons
and finding similar needs to
address and/or integrate as part
of teaching.
Idea for greater
accountability
if needed…
What’s this “TIPS AND PLANNING”
HOW ABOUT A FULL EXAM?
Students must be able to complete at least an entire
section before logging out, or it will make them start
a entirely new test. Even when testing online, remind
students to make it feel as real as possible. (Calculator
ready, scratch paper etc.)
All this said, YOU KNOW YOUR STUDENTS
There is nothing about students sending screen shots or posting notes about videos that can guarantee
greater preparation. Ideas are for engagement. Some students need more of an outside push, others less.
If you know your students (and you do), are aware of the process, move throughout the room
and monitor screens, ask and watch progress or struggle areas, and remind of what to do if they are
not sure, learning will happen. (Perhaps in a more authentic and or cooperative way?) Your call.
Resources. Time to Get Hands On!
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/k12-educators/advisinginstruction/practice-resources College Board Tips for Teachers
http://www.criticalreading.com/ As shown on early slide
www.khanacademy.com/sat (Right to NEW SAT Practice)
www.khanacademy.org (More general, does link to NEW SAT Practice also)
http://static1.squarespace.com/static/52826990e4b0a82a769761c9/t/56d862a0a3
360c389b973c48/1457021602068/16.26.01+SAT+Quick+and+Easy+PSAT+to+Khan+In
tegration.pdf
PDF to assist students in linking PSAT scores to Khan if that has not
yet happened.