We are committed to providing you with the most up-to-date resources and announcements from the college admissions testing landscape. Here are some of the top headlines from this past month:
For Dyslexic Test-Takers, the New SAT Is Even Worse
By Kyle Redford, Noodle
Summary: Students with dyslexia may find the redesigned SAT to be more difficult than the current test. This is mainly because the new exam requires more reading in a shorter time. Students with dyslexia do not struggle with reading comprehension, but they do struggle with speed. The faster the test, the harder it will be for them.
What this means: ArborBridge always recommends the ACT as the best option for students with learning differences. The ACT allows students to allocate extra time on any section they choose. The changes in speed on the redesigned SAT are just another reason students with learning differences should consider the ACT!
2016 SATs Will Put Stronger Emphasis on Graphic Literacy
By Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American
Summary: The redesigned SAT Math, Reading, and Writing sections all include graphs, which, accordingly to this article, will make things a bit tricky for students. Reading information graphically is more difficult on the the brain than reading straight text. However, the article suggests that reading graphs is becoming increasingly more relevant in college academia and beyond, which is why the SAT has aligned with the trend.
What this means: Use this information to your advantage! Now that you know the redesigned SAT will feature graph questions, you know what to prepare for. Make sure to focus your test prep on these types of questions if you know you may struggle with them on the official exam when time is restricted.
Power of Impressive SAT Scores Goes Beyond College
By Susan Alaimo, myCentralJersey.com
Summary: Who said your SAT and ACT scores only matter when applying to college? A handful of companies—Amazon, Bain, McKinsey—now ask applicants to report their standardized test scores from high school.
What this means: How you test and prepare for tests is more important than ever. While only a very small percentage of companies currently require applicants to submit SAT and ACT scores, it could potentially become more popular in the coming years. Be on the lookout!
Current SAT vs. New SAT: Which Should I Take?
By Stacy Caldwell (College Board), Forbes
Summary: The College Board wrote an article featured in Forbes outlining some important information students should know about before deciding between the current SAT and the redesigned SAT. Essentially, they advise students take both if they aren’t sure which one they will perform best on.
What this means: On the whole, we agree with the College Board’s advice if you know the SAT is the right test for your strong suits. It doesn’t hurt to try both, but the clock is ticking: there are only 2 more chances to take the current SAT. Luckily, the ACT is a safe fallback option.
U.S. Colleges See A Big Bump In International Students
By Cory Turner, NPR
Summary: More and more international students are attending U.S. colleges—there was a 10% increase since last year. While China is still the leader with 31% of foreign students currently at a U.S. school, India is quickly catching up. In fact, the overall jump in numbers is in large part due to students from India. Even more surprising, international students aren’t just focusing in the Ivy League schools. The article points to New York University, University of Southern California, Columbia University, Arizona State University, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as the top 5 U.S. institutions hosting international students in 2014-15.
What this means: It’s not all about Harvard, Yale, or Princeton anymore. As other prestigious institutions around the U.S. gain popularity, the appeal spreads to international students as well. If you are an international student thinking about applying to a U.S. school, it is important to do extensive research and schedule visits—for a decision this big, planning ahead is necessary!
