Should You Take the Redesigned SAT's Writing Section?
For many students, the SAT's Writing section is the most intimidating part of the exam. It requires a combination of analysis and reading comprehension on sometimes-obscure subjects. However, students taking this high-stakes exam can expect to see some changes in the spring of 2016, and there are certain things you need to know before you register to take it.
How has the SAT Writing section changed?
The SAT was redesigned with the purpose of more closely reflecting the skills and knowledge that research determined to be most critical for college readiness and success. Basically, it will keep pace with students' progress as they work their way through grade levels by matching the scope and difficulty of work found in the classroom. This could be a great benefit to a lot of students, since the exam matches progress made through each phase of educational progression, rather than a one-size-fits-all method of testing. This method is meant to level the playing field so that students can adequately prepare for college.
Although the standards of how the test is scored have changed, the fundamentals of the exam itself have not. The Writing portion of the exam measures a student's proficiency in grammar and vocabulary usage, as well as the ability to write about an author's argument in a passage using supporting evidence from the passage. The essay will closely resemble common post-secondary writing assignments and will be scored with specified criteria focused on reading, buy online essays writing, and analysis. However, there are a few important changes made to the test that could affect your ability to take it for the better. One crucial change is an increase in the amount of time that students have to write their essay; instead of having only 25 minutes to demonstrate their writing prowess, test-takers will now have 50 minutes to complete their essays. The content and approach of the essays has also changed. The Writing section will no longer require students to agree or disagree with a position on a topic or write about a personal experience. Instead, students will be asked to formulate an analysis of how an author builds an argument to persuade an audience using evidence from a passage (i.e. quotations and paraphrasing from the piece).
The most important changes, however, affect the SAT requirements and the scoring of this section. First, the essay is scored on a scale of 2-8 for each of three dimensions: reading, analysis, and writing. Your essay score will not, however, be combined with the overall Reading and Writing section score - it will be reported separately. Secondly, the SAT essay will no longer be required of everyone who takes the SAT. Instead, students can choose to take the essay depending on the requirements of their prospective colleges and universities.
Should I take it?
In short, only the prospective student can know if he or she should take this redesigned portion of this exam. Although The College Board has taken certain measures to ensure that students are able to fairly demonstrate their abilities, it can still be a trying time for people who struggle with writing. Also, considering the changing standards of certain institutions of higher education (and depending on which ones you apply to), you may even consider opting out of the essay portion altogether. Now that you have all of the information about the redesigned section, you can make an intelligent and thoughtful choice for your future.
How has the SAT Writing section changed?
The SAT was redesigned with the purpose of more closely reflecting the skills and knowledge that research determined to be most critical for college readiness and success. Basically, it will keep pace with students' progress as they work their way through grade levels by matching the scope and difficulty of work found in the classroom. This could be a great benefit to a lot of students, since the exam matches progress made through each phase of educational progression, rather than a one-size-fits-all method of testing. This method is meant to level the playing field so that students can adequately prepare for college.
Although the standards of how the test is scored have changed, the fundamentals of the exam itself have not. The Writing portion of the exam measures a student's proficiency in grammar and vocabulary usage, as well as the ability to write about an author's argument in a passage using supporting evidence from the passage. The essay will closely resemble common post-secondary writing assignments and will be scored with specified criteria focused on reading, buy online essays writing, and analysis. However, there are a few important changes made to the test that could affect your ability to take it for the better. One crucial change is an increase in the amount of time that students have to write their essay; instead of having only 25 minutes to demonstrate their writing prowess, test-takers will now have 50 minutes to complete their essays. The content and approach of the essays has also changed. The Writing section will no longer require students to agree or disagree with a position on a topic or write about a personal experience. Instead, students will be asked to formulate an analysis of how an author builds an argument to persuade an audience using evidence from a passage (i.e. quotations and paraphrasing from the piece).
The most important changes, however, affect the SAT requirements and the scoring of this section. First, the essay is scored on a scale of 2-8 for each of three dimensions: reading, analysis, and writing. Your essay score will not, however, be combined with the overall Reading and Writing section score - it will be reported separately. Secondly, the SAT essay will no longer be required of everyone who takes the SAT. Instead, students can choose to take the essay depending on the requirements of their prospective colleges and universities.
Should I take it?
In short, only the prospective student can know if he or she should take this redesigned portion of this exam. Although The College Board has taken certain measures to ensure that students are able to fairly demonstrate their abilities, it can still be a trying time for people who struggle with writing. Also, considering the changing standards of certain institutions of higher education (and depending on which ones you apply to), you may even consider opting out of the essay portion altogether. Now that you have all of the information about the redesigned section, you can make an intelligent and thoughtful choice for your future.
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