美国大学理事会（College Board）宣布2016年3月开始的SAT考试会进行改革，除了考察内容的改革（例如数学部分更加侧重数据和图表分析，以及加入高等数学内容，阅读变成Based on Evidence Reading）之外，形式上也做出了重大改革，作文也该为选考，实际上相当于回归了05年之前的考试风格，作文就跟SAT2一样，优秀的学校肯定会要求，而且我相信几乎所有的考生都会选考。毕竟和之前的Writing相比除了取消单词填空题外应该还是比较相似的。
首先，新SAT essay与老版以及具有同样功能的ACT考试部分的essay相比，可以说， 毫无相似性，而与AP的English language and composition更像。
我们先简单综述下其他三类考试。
老版SAT essay: 纸考。必考。考试时，在第一个部分考察。题目包含assignment(任务)和excerpt(摘要)，需要考生在25分钟时间写一篇能够回答任务的大概400字的文章。题目多是比较社会化的问题。比如：
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and assignment below:
Assignment: Do changes that make our lives easier not necessarily make them better? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observation.
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and assignment below:
Assignment: Is conscience a more powerful motivator than money, fame, or power? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observation.
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and assignment below:
Assignment: Can success be disastrous? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observation.
ACT：纸考。选考。考试时，为最后一项考察。题目包含assignment(任务)和background information(背景提示)，需要考生在30分钟时间写一篇能够回答任务的大概450字的文章。题目多是比较生活化的问题，尤其是与学校相关的话题。
比如：
Your school has decided to alter its emphasis in history classes. Instead of spending time on a variety of eras throughout time, beginning with ancient periods, the department has decided to focus on teaching history only from 1940 to the present. Proponents of this theory believe that students can learn best from studying the recent past up to the present. A few history teachers, on the other hand, believe strongly that this is an error. They advocate the idea that the only way we can understand and prepare for the future is to study as much of the past as possible. In your view, how much of history should be taught in schools?
There are a number of students in your school who are planning to graduate and head directly to some of the biggest colleges in the country. These colleges have huge campuses and thousands of students enrolled. A number of smaller colleges have been sending you promotional literature, several of which really appeal to you. In your viewpoint, do you think small or large colleges offer a better education? What factors should help a student choose a college?
Because of the recent increase in incidents of school violence, a number of schools around the country are limiting the number of times a student can go to his or her locker. While advocates believe that this will help reduce the risk of students keeping any illegal substances (including weapons) in their lockers, others disagree. They state that it has little effect on violence and other issues, but it does drastically increase the number of books the average student has to carry around every day. In your point of view, should locker visits be limited or not?
AP English language and composition：free response part: 开放回答部分需要考生读15分钟文章然后在两个小时写三篇文章。这个部分测试内容包括：写作技能，精细阅读，深入写作手法分析，和有目的的论证。
接下来我们来看改革后的SAT essay:
首先改为选考。重点不是自己构建文章，而是在50分钟根据一篇不到一千字的文章做分析，不需要加入个人理解。也就是说，新essay不仅要考察学生精细分析和清晰写作的能力还要培养学生深入阅读的能力。在考生解释文章的过程中，需要从文章中找证据去支持自己的说法。
问题每次都是不变的，但是阅读材料会更改。 从官方给的两篇样题来看，都是选取于New York Times，一篇是Paul Bogard的“Let There be Dark.” 另一篇是Dana Gioia的 “Why Literature Matters” 。字数不到1000词，大概10段的议论文章。根据官方提供的参考分析角度，需要考生从用词、论据论证、论证手法、修辞，逻辑顺序等方面讨论作者是如何支持自己的观点的。
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