新SAT essay與老SAT essay，ACT以及AP的比較

　　首先，新SAT essay與老版以及具有同樣功能的ACT考試部分的essay相比，可以說， 毫無相似性，而與AP的English language and composition更像。

　　我們先簡單綜述下其他三類考試。

　　老版SAT essay: 紙考。必考?？荚嚂r，在第一個部分考察。題目包含assignment(任務)和excerpt(摘要)，需要考生在25分鐘時間寫一篇能夠回答任務的大概400字的文章。題目多是比較社會化的問題。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：紙考。選考?？荚嚂r，為最后一項考察。題目包含assignment(任務)和background information(背景提示)，需要考生在30分鐘時間寫一篇能夠回答任務的大概450字的文章。題目多是比較生活化的問題，尤其是與學校相關的話題。

　　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: 開放回答部分需要考生讀15分鐘文章然后在兩個小時寫三篇文章。這個部分測試內容包括：寫作技能，精細閱讀，深入寫作手法分析，和有目的的論證。

　　接下來我們來看改革后的SAT essay:

　　首先改為選考。重點不是自己構建文章，而是在50分鐘根據一篇不到一千字的文章做分析，不需要加入個人理解。也就是說，新essay不僅要考察學生精細分析和清晰寫作的能力還要培養(yǎng)學生深入閱讀的能力。在考生解釋文章的過程中，需要從文章中找證據去支持自己的說法。

　　問題每次都是不變的，但是閱讀材料會更改。 從官方給的兩篇樣題來看，都是選取于New York Times，一篇是Paul Bogard的“Let There be Dark.” 另一篇是Dana Gioia的 “Why Literature Matters” 。字數不到1000詞，大概10段的議論文章。根據官方提供的參考分析角度，需要考生從用詞、論據論證、論證手法、修辭，邏輯順序等方面討論作者是如何支持自己的觀點的。