The SAT: Reasoning Test will be administered for the first time in March 2005, aimed at the high school class of 2006. The most significant change is the addition of a writing section, which will test students’ ability to write the first draft of a reasoned argument on the essay topic. The new PSAT, the preliminary test that students take as practice for the college-entrance exam, will be administered for the first time this October.
| Current SAT | New SAT | |
| Verbal | Content includes reading comprehension, sentence completions, and analogies. | Renamed Critical Reading, Analogies eliminated. Short critical-reading passages added. |
| Math | Content includes basic arithmetic, Algebra 1, geometry, and quantitative comparisons. | Quantitative comparisons eliminated. Advanced algebra added. |
| Writing | Does not exist. | Multiple-choice questions on grammar and usage and a 25-minute essay added. |
| Length | 3 hours | 3 hours, 45 minutes |
| Scores | Verbal: 200- 800 Math: 200-800 | Critical Reading: 200- 800 Math: 200- 800 Writing: 200-800 |
| SOURCE: The College Board | ||
