Hey everyone! I’m a junior who’s prepping to take the old SAT before it changes. I’ll be taking it in October and on later dates if I’m not happy with my score.
My school district announced that in March of next year, they will be giving the new SAT for free to all students, meaning that we will have to take it. Assuming that I achieve a good score on this old SAT, and I don’t do well on the new one, will colleges see my new score? Will I have to send that score in or will I be able to only send in my old SAT score?
If I make a 2150 on the old one but a 1300(/1600) on the new one, they might see the discrepancy, and I don’t want that to negatively affect me. Would talking to my counselor be a better option?
You can always choose NOT to send in your March 2016 score by not using any of the 4 free score reports on the day of the test. But I wouldn’t worry too much about sending multiple scores (unless you’re sending a ridiculous number of scores or applying to a super-selective school). If you choose not to use the free reports, you only have to send in all your scores to schools that ask for all scores - many do ask for all of course.
Schools will use your highest score, not your latest score, for the purpose of admissions.
In terms of the discrepancy, we don’t know the specific concordance between old and new SAT exams because College Board has not released anything yet.
And yes, you should always talk to your counselor.
Now that is an interesting question. What would the effect be if a student, taking a MANDATORY test for graduation, canceled the score? Or didn’t show up?
I am not sure how the fact tthat your school will be giving the new SAT for free automatically means you are required to take it but assuming that is true colleges are all well aware that the new SAT will be different from the old one and that the writing portion is optional. Based on your theorectical new SAT test score, it seems you may be assuming the writing portion of the SAT is truly optional. Be aware that many colleges will require you to take the writing section if you want to apply to them and College Board has beern updating a list of which colleges will or will not require the writing section as more colleges provide their answer, see https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/college-essay-policies
Don’t worry. Most top schools will superscore the SAT, so they will give you credit for your best scores. Some schools, however, will ask to see all scores. You have an easy way to succeed under scenario you mentioned. Do well on the old SAT, then study hard for the new one. You will also do well on the new test, so problem solved! Londondad
The state of CT will require all HS Jrs to take the new SAT in lieu of whatever standardized test had been administered previously. It is called Smarter Balance Testing but I do not know what the test entailed.
I have wondered about the score reporting issue b/c the high schools really do not want students to cancel their scores or not show up for the test as they need to have almost every student take the test.
The governor announced this change in August and no details have been released. Additionally, the College Board changed the PSAT administration from Saturday morning to the Wednesday prior during the school day, so the class of 2017 will enjoy yet another change. I believe the PSAT administration will return to Saturday morning next year.
I bet that the College Boards are essentially using students to validate their new test-in which case not only should it not be mandatory but there should be a) informed consent, B) the ability to to bow out without any consequences, and c) payment for student time. If this is the case, and if they are forcing students, then it is outrageous.
