# Factual Question about the "New SATs" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 14, 2003, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349 "2003-03-14T15:25:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349/1 "2003-03-14T15:25:47Z")
I was hoping some SDopers could tell me about today’s SATs, specifically, the math section. Is it true: (a) calculators are permitted? And, (b) the math section has a written portion where you must show your work??? I WAG a calculator won’t be of much help, anyhow, since many questions test your knowledge of math principles asking you to manipulate variables using the rules of algebra…and definitions of geometry. I am used to no calculators AND all multiple-choice. What else should I know about the “New SATs”? I did get a recent study guide out of the library, but it doesn’t look any different to me! What should I know when preparing someone for today’s SATs(math portion only)? - Jinx ---
**Author:** ![racekarl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6bbea6/32.png) [@racekarl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racekarl)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349/2 "2003-03-14T17:30:42Z")
> [@](#): > > What should I know when preparing someone for today’s SATs uh well, you should know how to use the internet 😉 [SAT info straight from the horse’s mouth (ETS)](http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/lc_one.html) ---
**Author:** ![rjciii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecae2f/32.png) [@rjciii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjciii)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349/3 "2003-03-14T18:21:53Z")
racekarl, The College Board and ETS are two very different organizations. You linked to The College Board, which owns the SAT. ---
**Author:** ![racekarl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6bbea6/32.png) [@racekarl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racekarl)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349/4 "2003-03-14T18:26:26Z")
Well, the link I pasted is from the ETS web site. I guess they were just linking to collegeboard site. ---
**Author:** ![rjciii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecae2f/32.png) [@rjciii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjciii)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349/5 "2003-03-14T18:35:12Z")
Ah, so I see. BTW, the SAT will completely change in 2005 with the addition of a writing section. In addition, the analogies will be dropped from the verbal section, and the math equivalent will also be dropped. Overall, though, it will be a slighly longer test. ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349/6 "2003-03-14T18:40:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by racekarl \* > \*\*uh well, you should know how to use the internet 😉 > > [SAT info straight from the horse’s mouth (ETS)](http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/lc_one.html) \*\* Thanks, Racekarl. That was uninformative without addressing the thread at all… 😉 - Jinx ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349/7 "2003-03-14T18:42:11Z")
OK, now that we have established what the SATs are not AND what will be in 2005, how about the 2003 SATs? Maybe I should have been more explicit… - Jinx ---
**Author:** ![batsto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b2d939/32.png) [@batsto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/batsto)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349/8 "2003-03-14T18:44:51Z")
I work for a company that runs SAT prep courses, and I know for a fact that the students can definitely bring calculators. I actually tutor the verbal section so I don’t know much more about the math side of it though. ---
**Author:** ![rjciii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecae2f/32.png) [@rjciii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjciii)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349/9 "2003-03-14T18:48:38Z")
From the College Board site, certain SAT acceptable calculators are allowed. Also, there are 10 Math questions that are fill in the blank, rather than multiple choice. There is a list of FAQs, along with a lot of good info on the College Board site. ---
**Author:** ![rjciii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecae2f/32.png) [@rjciii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjciii)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349/10 "2003-03-14T18:51:39Z")
Jinx, None of this info was difficult to obtain. ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349/11 "2003-03-14T19:02:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rjciii \* > \*\*From the College Board site, certain SAT acceptable calculators are allowed. Also, there are 10 Math questions that are fill in the blank, rather than multiple choice. > > There is a list of FAQs, along with a lot of good info on the College Board site. \*\* Thanks, RJCIII, but I didn’t see exactly what you found. The previously suggested ETS site mentions calculators are allowed, but not necessary. I didn’t see a mention about “accpetable calculators”. Also, while I found an implicit mention of problems involving “filling in a grid with the answer”, I did not see an explicit mention of 10 fill-in-the-blank math problems. - Jinx ---
**Author:** ![rjciii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecae2f/32.png) [@rjciii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjciii)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349/12 "2003-03-14T19:06:59Z")
> **[Test Day Checklist](https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/taking-the-test/test-day-checklist)** > > Get the latest SAT covid-19 updates and information during this time. On test day, bring a face covering and wear it as directed by the test center. Remember to also practice social distancing at all times. Be prepared to answer questions about your... [http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about/aboutFAQ.html#quest05](http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about/aboutFAQ.html#quest05) ---
**Author:** ![punkkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7feea3/32.png) [@punkkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/punkkid)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2003, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349/13 "2003-03-16T03:50:34Z")
According to my SAT class, calculators are allowed, though they will be little or no help apart from basic arithmetic (my generation is now incapable of doing basic arithmetic in our heads due to the calculator.) There ARE now 10 FITB’s, which ruins my eenie-meenie-minie-moe contingency plan I had for the SAT’s. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2003, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349/14 "2003-03-16T06:58:15Z")
> [@](#): > > (my generation is now incapable of doing basic arithmetic in our heads due to the calculator.) Cite? ---
**Author:** ![ReuvenB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc348/32.png) [@ReuvenB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReuvenB)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2003, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349/15 "2003-03-16T13:01:27Z")
Having taken the SATs in 2002, yes, there are calculators permitted. The fill in the blank thing is just that, you bubble in your answers using numbers instead of a,b,c,d, or e. If I recall, there weren’t that many of those though. The calculators are a BIG help. You may be able to do 6 digit multiplication, but you want to make sure you do it right. I think most people are perfectly capable, but its a matter of time and accuracy. Unfortunately, there is no partial credit on SAT questions. ---
**Author:** ![greenteeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@greenteeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenteeth)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2003, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-the-new-sats/161349/16 "2003-03-16T17:17:20Z")
Took it in 96 I beleive. Calculators were allowed, but I forgot mine and noone had a spare. It wasn’t necessary to have, but it would have made it faster, plus I aways have a tendency of screwing up the simple answers (which a calculator would help) and acing the hard ones. Probably cost me a little just because it flustered me to forget. I doubt it hurt me too much though. Still made 90 something percentile.