Change for a Reason: The Redesigned SAT

SATs
The College Board has recently implemented greatest single change in the SAT test since the test began decades ago. The SAT taken by millions of college-bound students now includes a student-written essay. This new section of the test will increase the maximum total score possible to 2400 from the previous maximum of 1600. Other changes include the elimination of word analogies and "quantitative comparisons." In addition there are changes in some of the math subject areas covered and in the kinds of questions asked.

The New SATs and NCAA eligibility
The new SAT understandably has high school students worried. For student athletes the question arises in the context of Division I and II eligibility requirements. For instance, there is a minimum SAT or ACT score required for initial eligibility in Division II. For Division I initial eligibility there is a sliding scale of test scores and high school grades. The NCAA has no plans to include the score on the student-written essay at this time. The SAT scores in the NCAA initial eligibility requirements will continue to be the sum of the verbal and math components of the SAT test. They plan to watch the situation and could change the specific eligibility requirements based on experience in scoring the new tests.

New rules reduce financial aid
The U.S. government has adopted new rules on how federal financial aid is calculated. These new rules have increased the "expected family contribution" (EFC) figure calculated from family financial data submitted in the "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" (FAFSA). The result is that many families will now be required to pay significantly more than the previous rules required. These rules will impact need-based college financial aid at most colleges and universities since schools will be required to follow the federal guidelines or give up federally subsidized aid for their students. News stories about the changes in the FAFSA calculations indicate that the committee that drafted the new rules did not intend such drastic changes in the calculation of need. There may be revisions that adjust the rules, but for now these changes emphasize the importance of sports scholarship aid.

See the new SAT changes here


opportunity/sat