Source: HCPSS Insight Session on Redesigned SAT (Oct. 28, 2015). View video sorted by submitted question(s).
Course: SAT® Preparation
"The SAT has been redesigned to better align to what research shows students need to know and be able to do in order to be prepared for college and careers. This goal has led to a more focused sat with a balance across fluency, conceptual understanding, and application. In these and other ways, such as embedding mathematical practices, the redesigned SAT® is also a good reflection of college- and career-ready standards" (College Board, 2014). This course focuses on the mastery of four critical areas: (1) the Heart of Algebra; (2) Problem Solving and Data Analysis; (3) Passport to Advanced Math; and (4) Additional Topics in Mathematics.
For additional information regarding the eight key changes to the SAT®, to view sample questions, Khan Academy test preparation availability, and sign up for updates, students and families are encouraged to visit the College Board site at www.deliveringopportunity.org. Sample PSAT® and SAT® exams are available at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-suite-assessments/practice/practice-tests. To learn more about the redesigned SAT, choose "Testing in HCPSS" from the above menu.
Unit 1: Heart of Algebra
The redesigned SAT® focuses strongly on algebra and the key concepts that are most essential for success in college and career. Heart of Algebra will assess students’ ability to analyze, fluently solve, and create linear equations and inequalities. Students will also be expected to analyze and fluently solve equations and systems of equations using multiple techniques.
To assess full command of the material, these problems will vary significantly in form and appearance. Problems may be straightforward fluency exercises or may pose challenges of strategy or understanding, such as interpreting the interplay between graphical and algebraic representations or solving as a process of reasoning. Students will be required to demonstrate both procedural skill and a deeper understanding of the concepts that undergird linear equations and functions to successfully exhibit a command of the Heart of Algebra.
By the end of the previous course, students have learned to solve linear equations in one variable and have applied graphical and algebraic methods to analyze and solve systems of linear equations in two variables. This unit builds on these earlier experiences by asking students to analyze and explain the process of solving an equation. Students develop fluency writing, interpreting, and translating between various forms of linear equations and inequalities, and using them to solve problems. They master the solution of linear equations and apply related solution techniques and the laws of exponents to the creation and solution of simple exponential equations. All of this work is grounded on understanding quantities and on relationships between them.
Unit 2: Problem Solving and Data Analysis
The redesigned SAT®’s Math Test has responded to the research that has identified what is essential for college readiness and success by focusing significantly on problem solving and data analysis: the ability to create a representation of a problem, consider the units involved, attend to the meaning of quantities, and know and use different properties of operations and objects. Problems in this category will require significant quantitative reasoning about ratios, rates, and proportional relationships and will place a premium on understanding and applying unit rate.
Students will be expected to identify quantitative measures of center, overall patterns, and any striking deviations from the overall pattern and spread in one or two different data sets. This includes recognizing the effects of outliers on the measures of center of a data set.
All Problem Solving and Data Analysis questions test the ability of students to use their math understanding and skills to solve problems they could encounter in the real world. Many of these problems are set in academic and career contexts and are likely to draw from science and social science.
Unit 3: Passport to Advanced Math
Passport to Advanced Math questions include topics that are especially important for students to master before studying advanced math. Chief among these topics is the understanding of the structure of expressions and the ability to analyze, manipulate, and rewrite these expressions. This domain also includes reasoning with more complex equations, and interpreting and building functions.
Unit 4: Additional Topics in Math
Additional topics will include geometric and trigonometric concepts.
"The SAT has been redesigned to better align to what research shows students need to know and be able to do in order to be prepared for college and careers. This goal has led to a more focused sat with a balance across fluency, conceptual understanding, and application. In these and other ways, such as embedding mathematical practices, the redesigned SAT® is also a good reflection of college- and career-ready standards" (College Board, 2014). This course focuses on the mastery of four critical areas: (1) the Heart of Algebra; (2) Problem Solving and Data Analysis; (3) Passport to Advanced Math; and (4) Additional Topics in Mathematics.
For additional information regarding the eight key changes to the SAT®, to view sample questions, Khan Academy test preparation availability, and sign up for updates, students and families are encouraged to visit the College Board site at www.deliveringopportunity.org. Sample PSAT® and SAT® exams are available at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-suite-assessments/practice/practice-tests. To learn more about the redesigned SAT, choose "Testing in HCPSS" from the above menu.
Unit 1: Heart of Algebra
The redesigned SAT® focuses strongly on algebra and the key concepts that are most essential for success in college and career. Heart of Algebra will assess students’ ability to analyze, fluently solve, and create linear equations and inequalities. Students will also be expected to analyze and fluently solve equations and systems of equations using multiple techniques.
To assess full command of the material, these problems will vary significantly in form and appearance. Problems may be straightforward fluency exercises or may pose challenges of strategy or understanding, such as interpreting the interplay between graphical and algebraic representations or solving as a process of reasoning. Students will be required to demonstrate both procedural skill and a deeper understanding of the concepts that undergird linear equations and functions to successfully exhibit a command of the Heart of Algebra.
By the end of the previous course, students have learned to solve linear equations in one variable and have applied graphical and algebraic methods to analyze and solve systems of linear equations in two variables. This unit builds on these earlier experiences by asking students to analyze and explain the process of solving an equation. Students develop fluency writing, interpreting, and translating between various forms of linear equations and inequalities, and using them to solve problems. They master the solution of linear equations and apply related solution techniques and the laws of exponents to the creation and solution of simple exponential equations. All of this work is grounded on understanding quantities and on relationships between them.
Unit 2: Problem Solving and Data Analysis
The redesigned SAT®’s Math Test has responded to the research that has identified what is essential for college readiness and success by focusing significantly on problem solving and data analysis: the ability to create a representation of a problem, consider the units involved, attend to the meaning of quantities, and know and use different properties of operations and objects. Problems in this category will require significant quantitative reasoning about ratios, rates, and proportional relationships and will place a premium on understanding and applying unit rate.
Students will be expected to identify quantitative measures of center, overall patterns, and any striking deviations from the overall pattern and spread in one or two different data sets. This includes recognizing the effects of outliers on the measures of center of a data set.
All Problem Solving and Data Analysis questions test the ability of students to use their math understanding and skills to solve problems they could encounter in the real world. Many of these problems are set in academic and career contexts and are likely to draw from science and social science.
Unit 3: Passport to Advanced Math
Passport to Advanced Math questions include topics that are especially important for students to master before studying advanced math. Chief among these topics is the understanding of the structure of expressions and the ability to analyze, manipulate, and rewrite these expressions. This domain also includes reasoning with more complex equations, and interpreting and building functions.
Unit 4: Additional Topics in Math
Additional topics will include geometric and trigonometric concepts.