The New SAT Exam

There's been a lot of discussion in recent days about the redesigned SAT, which will debut in 2016. For decades, the College Board has faced criticism that the SAT helps students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, who can afford pricey test prep services and tutors, while lower- and middle-class students are left on their own to navigate the arcane and archaic (SAT vocab words?) exam. These suspicions are borne out by statistics showing students from wealthier families achieving better SAT scores. The redesigned exam claims to be more equitable in allowing opportunities for all students to excel on the exam, not just those with the means to pay for test preparation.

Sifting through all the information on the new SAT can be daunting. Below are some resources to help you learn more about the College Board's redesign.

• Kaplan Test Prep
• Fair Test - The National Center for Fair and Open Testing
• Inside Higher Ed
• U.S. News and World Report
• The New York Times Magazine
• The College Board

Since the current SAT exam will be around for a few more years, most high school students won't have to worry about the coming changes. They can continue to rely on existing study methods, practice exams, review books, tutors, and prep courses. For more information about SAT Crash Courses that we offer at Farmingdale State College, or to register online, visit www.liregentsprep.com.