The SAT -- the standardized exam used for college admissions in the U.S. -- is changing its format for the first time in more than 10 years. Experts commented that the new SAT might be the easiest version of the test yet.
Parenting.com and The Washington Post shared some of the changes that students taking up the new SAT should know about as well as tips for answering the test. Hopefully, knowing these changes and tips could make a positive difference in students' preparation methods and new SAT results.
New SAT Change #1: No obscure vocabulary.
Many students who took the past SATs complain about obscure vocabulary being used in the test. With the new SAT, students will be tested on vocabulary that can actually use for college and their future.
New SAT Change #2: Fewer answer options.
The old SATs included five answer options for the test takers. The new SAT only has four choices which can increase the chances of students choosing the right answer.
New SAT Change #4: No penalties for guesses.
This change is a big one for students! "Rather than a wrong guess adversely affecting their score, students are now being advised to answer every question rather than leaving any blank for fear of guessing wrong," Parenting.com shared.
New SAT Tip # 1: Do not flip back and forth between the test booklet and the answer sheet.
Flipping back and forth from the test booklet and the answer sheet wastes a lot of time and disrupts the flow and momentum of the test. Go to the answer sheet only after answering a whole page of test booklet questions.
New SAT Tip #2: Substitute answers in algebra problems.
"You can avoid algebra altogether on the SAT Math section when there are variables in the question and numbers in the answer choices," The Washington Post advised. "Simply plug in the numbers from the answer choices back into the original algebraic equation to see if the problem works out fine."
New SAT Tip #3: Eliminate prepositions.
For the new SAT, watch out for prepositional phrases when trying to find writing errors. These phrases do not contain grammatical errors. Once you have crossed these phrases out, it will be much easier to find the writing errors.
