While You Are Waiting - Solve
These Problems!
» Complete the Pattern:
O T T F F S S _
» Using 1 line, change this to 6:
IX
Explaining the
unexplainable…
Jimmy Blalock
• Teacher
• Tutor
• Lawyer
• Nerd Extraordinaire
SAT
What does SAT stand for?
General Format and Scoring
Change
Old SAT
SECTIONS
3 subjects
2 Areas
• Math
• Math
• Critical Reading
• Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
• Writing Skills (essay included)
*Optional essay not included in other
scores
SCORING
•
•
Total score out of 2400
200 – 800 for each subject
New SAT
•
•
Composite score out of 1600
200 – 800 for each of the 2 Areas
General Format and Scoring
New SAT
PSAT 10 - PSAT / NMSQT
PSAT 8/9
320
1520
240
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1440
1600
Section
New SAT
Questions
Time per
Section
New PSAT
Questions
Time per
Section
Reading
52
65 minutes
47
60 minutes
Writing and
Language
44
35 minutes
44
35 minutes
Math – no
calculator
20
25 minutes
17
25 minutes
Math – calculator
38
55 minutes
31
45 minutes
Essay (optional)
1
50 minutes
The new PSAT is almost identical
to the new SAT.
Answers
Change
Old SAT
New SAT
ANSWER CHOICES
5 answer choices per question
4 answer choices per question
INCORRECT ANSWER
PENALTY
1/4 point off for each incorrect
answer on multiple choice
questions
No penalty for incorrect answers
26 correct
0
5
10
15
20
58 attempted32 incorrect
25
30
35
40
45
38 attempted: 30 correct +4
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
50
55
58
20 guesses
35
40
45
50
55
58
Other Changes
Change
Old SAT
New SAT
GRAPHICS
None other than
graphs in math
problems.
Charts and graphical elements
throughout the exam.
HISTORICAL
DOCUMENTS AND
SPEECHES
Not featured.
Will appear throughout the exam.
CALCULATORS
Permitted throughout
the math sections.
Permitted on only one of the two
math sections.
FORMAT
Paper and pencil only
Paper and pencil
Other Changes… Graphics everywhere
What about the ACT?
Let’s walk through the differences between the ACT and
the New SAT.
TEXT OCPREP to 877877
to receive more information about college
testing from The Princeton Review!
General Format and Scoring
Change
SECTIONS
SCORING
ACT
New SAT
4 Test Subjects
• English
• Math
• Science Reasoning
• Reading
*Optional essay not included in
other scores
2 Areas
• Math
• Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
•
•
Composite score out of 36
1-36 for each Test
*Optional essay not included in other
scores
•
•
Composite score out of 1600
200 – 800 for each of the 2 Areas
Answers
Change
ACT
New SAT
ANSWER CHOICES
4 answer choices per question
4 answer choices per question
INCORRECT ANSWER
PENALTY
No penalty for incorrect
answers
No penalty for incorrect answers
ACT vs New SAT
New SAT vs ACT
New SAT vs ACT
New SAT vs ACT
New SAT vs ACT
New SAT vs ACT
New SAT vs ACT
Which Test Should I Take?
- All colleges accept SAT or ACT without preference. It’s
worth trying out both to see whether you might perform
better on one over the other.
- If you’re not sure how you might perform on the new
SAT or ACT, take a free practice test from The Princeton
Review.
- The UC system will require the Essay, even on the essay
optional new SAT.
Breaking down college admissions
year-by-year
Grades
Activities
Freshman
Visit schools
Work on your college
essays
Prep for
SAT/ACT
Sophomore
Summer
Grades
Activities
A practice PSAT
Junior
Grades
Activities
SAT/ACT
Summer
Senior
Grades
Activities
SAT/ACT
(if needed)
Things to remember
• Schools like to see wellrounded applicants.
• Start with a free practice
test.
Important Links
SAT vs. ACT
PrincetonReview.com/college/sat-act
PrincetonReview.com/college/should-i-take-the-act-or-new-sat-quiz
HS Timelines
PrincetonReview.com/college-advice/college-prep-timeline
Free Practice Tests and Events
PrincetonReview.com/Events
Free 30 Minute Tutoring Session
PrincetonReview.com/academic-tutoring
Questions?