EKHS Testing Information

Spring of 2017 is the second year that the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) will be taken by all juniors within the state of Michigan.  Like the ACT, the SAT is an assessment used as a gauge of college readiness while also playing a role in college admissions.  The test itself has gone under significant renovation recently.  The Redesigned SAT has undergone 8 key changes detailed below and summarized from College Board's released information to students and schools.

1. Words in Context: The test asks students to interpret the meaning of relevant words or phrases in the context that they appear.  This alters the way students should prepare for the test with less emphasis on memorization.  This new testing engages students in close reading and calls attention to the nuances of how vocabulary is used in particular situations. 

2. Command of Evidence: Students will need to demonstrate their ability to interpret and use evidence found from a wide range of sources.  For example, making a determination of the best evidence that supports a possible answer to another reading question.  In demonstrating their command of evidence students will also need to analyze informational garphics, such as tables, graphs, and charts.  

3. Essay Analyzing a Source: In the essay, students are asked to read a passage and explain how the author builds an argument to persuade an audience.  This task more closely mirrors writing assignments at the collegiate level as students are required to read closely, carefully analyze, and write clearly. 

4. Math that Matters Most:  The test focuses in depth on three essential areas of mathematics: 

   • Heart of Algebra - This area focuses on the mastery of linear experssions, equations, and systems that aide in developing key powers of abstraction.

   • Problem Sloving and Data Analysis - This section of mathematics is about being quantitatively literate.  It includes using ratios, percentages, and proportional reasoning to solve problems in science, social science, and career contexts.

   • Passport to Advanced Math - A familiarity with complex equations and the manipulation they require is assessed in this area. 

5. Problems Grounded in Real-World Contexts: In the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing sections, reading questions include literature and literary nonfiction, but also feature charts, graphs, and passages similar to those encountered in science, social science, and other majors and careers.  Writing and language questions ask testers to edit and revise to improve texts from the humanities, history, social science, adn career contexts.  The math section fatures multistep applications to solve problems in science, social science, career scenarios, and other real life contexts.  

6. Analysis in Science and in History / Social Studies: Students will be asked to apply their reading, writing, and math knowledge and skills to answer questions in science, history, and social studies.  They will draw on these same sorts of skills and knowledge in college, at a job, and throughout their lives.  Questions will require students to read and comprehend texts, revise texts to be consistent with data presented in texts and graphics, and solve problems based in science and social science contexts.

7. U.S. Founding Documents and the Great Global Conversation: Students will encounter a passage from one of the U.S. founding documents or a text from the wider global conversation about civic life.  Study in these rich and meaningful founding documents is encouraged not only to develop the knowledge and skills needed to read and analyze challenging works, but also as an opportunity to reflect on and deeply engage with issues and concerns central to informed citizenship.

8. No Penalty for Guessing: The redesigned SAT removes the penalty for guessing.  Students will earn points for the questions answered correctly.

The SAT is formatted into the following sections:

• Evidence Based Reading

  • 52 questions / 65 minutes

• Writing and Language

  • 44 questions / 35 minutes

• Mathematics

  • 58 questions / 80 minutes

    • No Calculator Math (25 minutes)

    • Calculator Math (55 minutes)

• Essay

  • ​50 minutes