1,600 Is No Longer Perfect––

SAT, PSAT Tests

Are Restructured

By Larissa Lytwyn

If your SAT-prepping sophomore attains a 1,600 on his PSAT this fall, don’t brag to colleagues about your teen’s perfect score.

Beginning in spring 2005, the SAT (reflected in this fall’s PSAT) will divide the Verbal section into Critical Reading and Writing, each measuring scores on a 200–800 scale, which, combined with the Math portion, equals a new perfect score of 2,400. 

Critical Reading (formerly known as Verbal) consists of two 25 and one 20-minute section composed of sentence completions and paragraph-long critical reading and interpretation questions.

For the 50-minute writing section, students must apply grammar skills to improve sample sentences and paragraph as well as identify sentence errors. Test-takers must also write an essay on topics culled from contemporary and classical literature, history, science, the arts, and other fields.

Analogies have been eliminated.

“I think the test is definitely more in tune with what is taught in classes,” said Elaine Schwartz, Newtown High School guidance counselor. “Analogies have been very difficult for a lot of students, so it could be to [students’] benefit that it has been eliminated.”

Newtown High School, she continued, has a strong writing program. “Writing is a large part of any college education and here at Newtown High School, we apply writing assignments across all subject areas.”

The Math section, eliminating quantitative comparisons, is made up of two 25 minute and one 20-minute section drawn from algebra, number and operations, probability, and subjects typically studied in the third year of high school, including geometry and statistics.

Although the PSAT will not have a student-produced essay section or include third-year math curricula, the scoring and structure will generally be very similar to the SAT.

According to the College Board, a national nonprofit membership association whose mission is to “prepare, inspire and connect students to college success and opportunity,” the new SAT “improves the alignment of the test with current curriculum and institutional practices.” The refined test will also, the College Board attests, “help colleges make better admissions and placement decisions” based on the newly included writing section.

Study tips and further information about the new SAT is available at the Newtown High School Career Center and the College Board.

For more information, contact the Career Center at 426-7646 or visit www.collegeboard.com.