The "New" SAT

My kids aren't there yet, but I agree with these comments about the new SAT: You cannot score the writing component fairly.

Furthermore, I'm sure the observations in this passage will turn out to be true:

First, if a disappointed student has a plaintiffs' lawyer for the parent, the College Board has serious problems.  Not only are there breach of contract issues and Section 1983 claims arising from the close connection between state governments and the College Board (the "new SAT" is believed by many to be the result of political pressure from the University of California's push to find ways to get around the state's ban on the use of race and gender in admissions), but the idea of a "guinea pig" cohort of students is very off-putting.

Second, look for the testing equivalent of a "flight to quality" --increased enrollment for the ACT, which hasn't overhauled its test and which will provide a useful comparison for students, beleaguered admissions officers, and of course, tort lawyers looking at the College Board's deep pockets.

In my town, kids have always taken the SAT. With the new testing, I'm sure many more will be switching to the ACT.

I feel for those kids and parents who are going through this now. Does anyone else have any first-hand observations or insights?

Comments

[Lily]

First of all, most colleges required the SAT II: Writing before this, which is scored similarly, so I don't see why many kids would switch to the ACT. (I have nothing against the ACT, but I have nothing against the SAT, either.)

While I certainly agree that one cannot be graded on one's opinions expressed in writing, the writing section of the New SAT can be scored based on grammar, organization, and supporting of opinion with fact expressed in the essay. All of the aforementioned standards are woefully low in today's children; I anticipate the new SAT to be a rude awakening to those who think they can get by in life with mediocre logic.