Page 108 - 2017academicreport

Table of Contents

SAT: Scholastic Aptitude Test
Overview

The SAT is published by CollegeBoard and administered typically to juniors and seniors in high school. Many
colleges and universities require that applicants take the SAT as part of their admissions processes. The SAT is
a four hour test that measures the critical thinking skills students need for academic success in college. Two
subtests are given: (a) Math and (b) Evidence-based Reading & Writing.

Previously, the SAT had three subtests, each with a maximum score of 800 points; perfect scores on all three
subtests resulted in a combined score of 2400. In the spring of 2016, CollegeBoard changed the format of the
SAT reducing to two subtests, not three. In the past, the reading and writing components were separate subtests.
These have now been combined. Each subtest in the revised SAT still received 800 points for a combined total
of 1600 points. CollegeBoard began reporting scores of the revised test in the spring of 2017.

Former SAT Scoring Structure

Total Score (600-2400)

Critical Reading (200-800) Writing (200-800) Math (200-800)
33 ⁄% of Total Score 33 ⁄% of Total Score 33 ⁄% of Total Score

Revised SAT Scoring Structure

Total Score (400-1600)

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (200-800)

50% of Total Score Math (200-800)

Reading Writing 50% of Total Score

25% of Total Score 25% of Total Score

To help prepare our students for the SAT, the district provides students with user accounts for Naviance, a
college and career planning software. This program includes SAT test taking tips and practice tests for
students. Starting in the winter of 2017, students were also offered an opportunity to take face-to-face SAT
preparation courses on campus, due to a partnership with a local services provider. Students are also able to
make use of free open source preparation classes through the Khan Academy online. Providing families with
options to meet their students’ needs through various formats of instruction was a goal of the District. In
addition, the district administers the PSAT, a preliminary SAT, to juniors. Some of our students choose to take
the PSAT as sophomores. While PDE does not include SAT scores as part of the SPP calculation, it does
include participation in the PSAT test.

In the pages that follow are SAT test results for the past five years for Math, Critical Reading, and Writing
(former test format) and the first year of the new testing format with results in Math and Evidence-based
Reading & Writing for Pine-Richland School District, Pennsylvania, and the Total Group. Total Group refers
to all students both nationally and internationally who took the SAT test. Also given is six years of
participation data for Pine-Richland School District. Finally, test results for the past six years for male and
female student performance are given for the district, state, and Total Group. Comparisons between 2017 and
any other year cannot be made due to the alterations in test format and scoring.

108