The First Summer SAT Administration in 40 Years Is Days Away

For the first time in 40 years, students across the country will take the SAT^® on Saturday, August 26, before they begin the school year.

The late summer SAT administration gives students the chance to prepare without the pressure of school and extracurricular activities. And, students will receive their scores in mid-September, in time for college application deadlines in the fall.

The New SAT Measures What Students Are Learning in the Classroom

The redesigned SAT makes it easier for students to show their best work by reflecting what they’re already learning in class. 

The new SAT is easier than ever to prepare for with free, personalized, Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy^®, and it clears the path to college admission with college application fee waivers and scholarships. Like the old SAT, the new SAT is accepted by all U.S. colleges.

Students prefer the new SAT by a 7 to 1 margin, saying it’s “easier,” “more straightforward,” and “way more applicable to what we’ve been learning in school.” Here’s why:

• More time per question: Students have 43% more time than on the ACT^® to think about their answers.
• No penalty for guessing: Students don’t lose points for wrong answers.
• No more “SAT words”: A move from obscure words to relevant words in context.
• Only relevant math concepts are tested: Students just need to know the skills essential for college and career.
• No science section: Science concepts are tested in the context of the reading passages.
• Scoring scale was adjusted from 2400 to 1600, and the essay is now optional.

The class of 2017 is the largest in history to take the SAT—nearly 1.7 million students took the new SAT.

Free Practice

The College Board partnered with Khan Academy to develop free, personalized practice tools for the SAT.

• Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy gives students access to thousands of interactive practice questions, video lessons, test-taking tips, and strategies, including 8 full-length practice tests.
• There are now more than 4 million unique users on Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy; data show that the practice platform is reaching students across race, ethnicities, and income-levels—mirroring the same demographics of actual SAT test takers.
• Recently, the College Board and Khan Academy announced new data that link Official SAT Practice to substantial gains from the PSAT/NMSQT^® to the SAT. Students who practiced 20 hours on Khan Academy experienced a 115-point average score gain on the SAT—an increase nearly double the average score gain of students who don’t use these practice tools.

Students can access the free tools and practice anytime, anywhere at satpractice.org.

Positive Response to the New SAT

Following all spring 2017 SAT administrations, the College Board surveyed 113,945 students who completed the test. The majority of students had positive reactions to the SAT.

• 70% of students said they were tested on the reading, math, and writing skills they’re learning in school.
• More than 80% of students reported feeling confident going into the SAT.
• 75% of students said they practiced for the SAT.
• 6 in 10 test-takers report they had enough time to finish the exam.
• Students were more than twice as likely to use Khan Academy than pay for commercial test prep.

Educators and parents have also shown support. Based on recent surveys:

• More than 75% of counselors indicated they have positive feelings toward the SAT and 96% stated they would encourage students to practice using Khan Academy.
• Nearly three-quarters of teachers reported having a good or excellent experience with the SAT,  with more than half stating it reflects the material they teach in the classroom.
• 6 in 10 parents report that the SAT creates opportunities for students.

Who to Contact

If you plan to cover the August 2017 SAT administration, the College Board Communications team can connect you with College Board officials and K–12 and higher education experts and educators. Please email [email protected] or call 212-713-8052 if you need additional information, are interested in scheduling an interview, or would like photos or B-roll for an upcoming piece.