My kid’s school is having them take both the old and new SAT as well, Leafy-- although the school really leans more to the ACT.
DS took old SAT in November and was not happy with English scores (especially essay). He did well with practice ACT so will take that in the spring. He is going to talk to his college counselor about new SAT in March. Might take it and see how it goes.
Our state used to have all juniors take ACT in April (I suppose graduation requirement/assessment) and the score gets reported in the transcript. They just announced that (5 year contract with ACT is up and) all juniors will take new SAT instead. Several states are going through similar changes. It seems that college board has powerful negotiators.
Such a short notice! Poor class of 2017. They have to go through so many changes on top of Old/New SAT. ~X(
DS will end up taking Old SAT, New SAT, and ACT. ~X(
@payn4ward Why bother with the old SAT?
@suzyQ7 He’s already taken it so cannot untest it and obviously didnot hit it outside the park.
My kid is has taken the old SAT and will take the new SAT in March (and maybe again in June?)… still not sure whether to take the ACT - she will decide soon. We figured it is good to take the old one, even if she doesn’t send the scores, it is easier to relate the scores to schools that might be a good fit. There just isn’t the reference point with new scores yet…
No idea if this is a good plan, but there it is!
@payn4ward DD is taking the ACT in February & the old SAT this month as our plan was to avoid new SAT. PSAT scores are out and it looks like she may have a National Merit qualifying score. Does that mean she won’t be able to use old SAT score & will have to take the new SAT to “confirm”? I’m trying to find info on College Board but not the easiest site to navigate…
@TheStig2 In the past NM program allowed SAT scores from junior years to confirm so I think they will (have to) allow both old and new SAT (for fairness.)
Information will come at NM program page not CB.
But then again who said college board is fair? Considering how much CB has screwed already, I wouldn’t be surprised if they force NM kids on new SAT. just venting. Ignore this paragraph. >:) :-t
I confess that I do see one good thing about a new test. I feel like the first couple of times will be a more accurate reflection of student capabilities since no one will have had years of SAT prep - it is a more level playing feel (at least for now)…
But, I also haven’t been following the CB over the years to have any idea of how it has been done in past… so nobody beat me up over that statement! 
^ *level playing FIELD. (oops - and yes, I do know better)
I agree with you, @london203. I think the relative lack of prep/tutors will be some kids’ advantage – I’m hoping my kid is one of those! He’s a relatively good natural test-taker, and in the past test prep hasn’t really improved his scores very much. If anything, his problem is that he’ll make a few relatively easy mistakes, that’s just the way he is, and test prep doesn’t help him avoid those. But as compared to some kids who improve tremendously if they practice, practice, practice, he may do better. At least that’s my theory!
or have illegally obtained years of unreleased previous test questions that were recycled on new exams. 