Questions about the new SAT

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

I’m still confused as to how the new SAT is sectioned and what the maximum score count it. I have a few questions about it.

  1. If the maximum amount of points you can achieve on the new SAT is 1600, then where does the essay fit in? Does it have additional points?
  2. As I do not want to miss any chance of getting into a good college, I am planning to take the SAT with the essay so I am eligible for both colleges that require it and those that do not. Will it pose any kind of problem with colleges that do not require the essay? Will they simply disregard the essay score or consider it?
  3. I have been practicing using an older version of The Princeton Review: SAT Prep (before the new SAT was introduced). Is it sufficient to prepare me for the new test? I will take a few practice tests for the new SAT online but besides that, should I purchase a new book? I am planning to take the SAT exam on October 1, 2016.

Thank you.

2

Additional Questions:

  1. Considering I scored well on my first SAT, but I thought I could do better and did not send the scores to colleges. Then I took another SAT the next month but did not score as good on this one, can I send my previous score to colleges or is there a time limit on what scores the colleges consider?
  2. Is there a difference between the score reporting that the official SAT offers and how you send your scores to college? I am completely new to college application and would like to know what other methods you can use to send scores to a college. Does sending scores to a college mean applying there? (applying as in telling them to consider me for admission)

Thank you again.

3
  1. The Essay is scored separately and does not contribute towards your 1600 score. The essay is scored on 3 aspects: Reading, Analysis, Writing. Each aspect receives a score between 2 and 8. These scores are not combined in any way. So you may have a score that reads 1420/1600 and 6/5/6.
  2. The Essay is a bit of a mystery for the colleges as they won't be certain about consistency of grading until the first set of applications comes in. Even the schools that require the essay have implied that there is not a lot of weight being given to the essay. Don't over complicate the matter with worrying if the sending the essay to a school that doesn't require it. If the school is interested, it will look at it, but it won't "hurt" you.
  3. No, the Reading/Grammar portions of the new test have significant differences and you should be preparing with new materials. All of the official materials are available for free through Khan Academy. You should work through their program, and if you need more practice, then purchase other books. Books by independent tutors (Erica Meltzer, Panda Series) tend to be closer approximations than the big companies.
  4. You can send whatever scores you would like to schools unless they ask for all the scores. But remember that the schools are looking for your best performance as an indication of your ability and will disregard lower scores. Remember that a test is just the result of a single morning of performance, and perhaps you had a cold that day, or your grandfather died that week. There are a multitude of reasons for a lower score, and the admissions committees are not robots; they understand "off" days.
  5. You can only send your official scores through the College Board. You do self-report on the applications, but those numbers need to be confirmed by the College Board. Sending scores means that the school has a piece of paper with your name and scores on it, and that document sits in a file waiting to be matched with your application. Until you send an official application (and pay an application fee) the school won't open a file for you.

I hope that helps.

4

Thank you.