Hey all, I’m new here
I’m currently a freshman in a VERY competitive school in California. I took the PSAT this year and got a 205, and was excited to be able to take the SAT next year.
However, I heard that there will be a
“New” SAT. Can anyone tell me how this will be different, and if I should take the new or current SAT.
If it changes anything, I am a hardworking student looking to get into most UCs and MAYBE an ivy.
Thanks.
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the old and new SAT: https://www.collegeboard.org/delivering-opportunity/sat/compare
Congrats on the 205! If you get 200+ on the PSAT as a junior, you become a National Commended Scholar. To summarize, no penalty points for incorrect answers, essay is optional (it is not if you are Ivy-interested, lol), free resources will be provided in Khan Academy.com, and all the statements above ^^. In my opinion, I recommend taking the new SAT because (1) it is more direct and geared like the ACT, (2) vocabulary is focused on the work place, (3) you don’t have to spend $300 on an SAT tutor, (4) documents include passages from the US Constitution (you are more likely familiar with these docs compared to others), and (5) less math topics involved.
However, I recommend trying both if you can. Whatever is your highest score, you can report it in your app. (if I am correct) Best of luck!
I am also a freshman but from Argentina. I got a 196 on the PSAT. Should I take the SAT before 2016? Will it be considered or it will be too old?
THanks for your input guys!
In my professional opinion, the new SAT is far easier than EITHER the current SAT or the current ACT. Especially the verbal sections.
@xiggi knows a lot about the SAT. Look for his posts about it.
I had an expiremental section on January’s SAT that I can tell you that it was tough. I think that it will be a lot harder to study for.
The January 2015 SAT was the “old” (current) test. New test debuts in Spring of 2016.
The vocabulary is absolutely easier on the new SAT; I’m speaking of the vocabulary in the passages. Also, there are no Sentence Completions. Now, that’s just from what I’ve seen; however, a couple of the passage categories were not included. I’m just sure that if the vocabulary is “too difficult,” the team will dilute it.
If one is weak on analyzing a passage and recognizing an argument, then that test-taker will have a tougher time preparing, yes. However, these skills can be learned earlier than just before the tes if classroom teachers are not teaching it.
There are different levels for the new math portion, and I’m not in a position to compare the old with the new math sections. I’m speaking of the verbal sections. Hope that’s clearer now.
OP, if you think you will do well with the current SAT format you should take it next fall before the new format rolls out in 2016. Perhaps the new format will also suit you, but if you get an excellent score next fall it won’t be considered “old” and you can focus on other things in your life 
As a freshman and an avid SAT studier, I personally think that the redesigned SAT (out of 1600) is much easier than the current 2400 one.
Here’s a sample reading test from the CollegeBoard:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sample-questions/reading
It should also be noted that the redesigned SAT will resemble the ACT, featuring social studies passages, science articles, graphs, and no direct vocab completions. (Though the math portion will remain largely untouched, there is now some basic trig).
I obviously agree with you, Fauste. Just note, however, that the new SAT science articles are easier than the ACT science section. The latter requires much more quantitative interpretation (and rapidly). The new SAT, OTOH, merely appends some visuals/graphs/metrics to the article itself, yet concentrates mainly on reading the article critically, which is actually what the current SAT also does. Most every current SAT includes readings from social sciences, natural sciences, etc., just as the new one will, and those kinds of passages already require critical interpretation. I think it will be far, far easier to score highly on the new SAT, particularly with no penalty for guessing. If I were a sophomore now, I would plan on taking both the old and the new SAT.
As living in the mid-west the ACT is the local usual. I have taken the February act, but am considering also taking the new SAT next spring specifically because the Mathematics is now half of the score (helpful if mathematics is a strength) and there is less vocab involved (one of my weaknesses).
Yes, I agree, Andre. Coleman has a bias toward STEM, and the reconfiguration of the test reflects that, both in its emphasis and its approach. Of course, the SAT in 2004 was also a 2-part score, and the ACT score technically doesn’t “include” the essay, but for all intents and purposes, very high-level colleges will nevertheless want to see the new SAT essay score, just as they have asked for the ACT essay.