The End of an Era: No More Sharpened #2 Pencils

                       

The end of an era was marked by the December 2^nd SAT when students arrived, for the last time, with sharpened #2 pencils. For nearly 100 years, since June 23^rd, 1926, college bound students engaged in the time-honored ritual of taking the lengthy, paper and pencil exam that would impact their college prospects. 

While the SAT still exists, and is just as important as ever in gaining admission to many competitive colleges, it’s now a digital exam. The PSAT and SAT exams have embraced technology and are now adaptive, computer-based tests.  Students start out by working on a Reading/Writing module consisting of 27 short passages (typically one paragraph long), each followed by one question.  The questions test a student’s abilities in reading comprehension and grammar/punctuation skills.  Based on a student’s success on the first module, the second module consists of either easier or more difficult questions, which will ultimately impact one’s score.

After a short break, students then move onto their first Math module, covering a range of topics with the most difficult being in the area of Algebra II/Trigonometry.  There is no pre-calculus or calculus covered on the SAT, so students should not wait until they are in advanced Math classes to start taking the exam.  Here too, based on a student’s success on the first module, the second module consists of either easier or more difficult questions. Students are provided with an online calculator as well as a countdown clock, letting them know, as they progress through the test, exactly how much time they have left.  Students are allowed to bring their own calculator to use in place of the online one, and they are provided with scrap paper.

According to College Board, even though there are many test optional colleges, more than 80% of students questioned said they wanted to have the option of submitting SAT scores. In addition to their consideration in the admissions process, SAT scores are often used to allot scholarship money and for placement in college courses.  While high school grades are an important reflection of students’ work, College Board reported that the share of students graduating high school with an A average increased from 39% in 1998 to 55% in recent years. Therefore, SAT scores can allow students to distinguish themselves among their peers.  

Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT^® preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362