New SAT Has Some Students Scrambling

March 12, 2005 — -- The Scholastic Aptitude Test is the most widely taken college entrance exam in America, and today, 300,000 high school students sat down to take a new version of the test with an essay-writing requirement that had some -- including the "GMA" Weekend anchors -- sweating.

The new SAT has three parts instead of two, with each section worth 800 points. That means a perfect score is now 2400, instead of 1600. The new test takes three hours and 20 minutes, 50 minutes longer than the old one.

The new test also has added more advanced math and has dropped verbal analogies. But the biggest change is an additional writing section -- a 25-minute essay asking a "philosophical" question to gauge how well students communicate and support their views.

The College Board, which administers the SAT, has said it changed the test to better reflect what's taught in high school and to gauge students' writing skills more effectively. The College Board says it's not looking for perfect writing, just "first draft" writing that takes a position and supports it.

"We were hearing from schools across the country, from employers all across the country: Young people are getting out of college not able to write, entering college where writing is much more in demand," said Gaston Caperton, the president of the College Board.  

High school student Cory Gordon is great at math, but he and his parents were so nervous about today's writing portion of the test that they spent $3,600 on a tutor.

"I'm a horrible essay writer. I always have been, I always will be," said Cory.

Cory's mother, Susan, said of the test, "Just when you think you have things figured out, they go and change it on you, so it's difficult." 

Caperton said that the hope is in an effort to "teach to the test," high schools will start placing more emphasis on writing skills.

But some educators fear the changes place an even bigger burden on kids from poorer school districts who can't afford expensive test preparation classes.