Thursday, July 30, 2020

Early Action

Early Action *Update as of 2015: Early action is available to both domestic and international students. This year, we received 3493 applications for early action, 13% more than last year. We admitted 390 students, or 11% of the applicants. A similar number of students were denied, while those students in the middle, about three quarters of the applicants, were deferred to regular action for further consideration. I am often asked why MITs admit rate for early action is so low in comparison to the admit rate for early programs at other highly selective colleges (where the early admission rate is often much, much higher than the regular action admission rate). The reason is that we are committed to admitting no more than 30% of our class during early action. We feel that the pressures to apply early are too high, and dont want to further contribute to that by leaving only a very small number of spaces for regular action, further pressuring people to apply early. Additionally, we dont want to penalize those students who apply regular action. While this 30% is a much smaller percentage of the class admitted early than many other places (where, often, nearly half of the class is filled from a much smaller early pool), remember that here, being deferred is not a polite rejection. Deferred students are given full consideration again during regular action, where most (~75%) of our admitting is done. Many students were deferred, and I know that those students will be very competitive during the regular action process. For example, last year, we admitted 295 students during regular action who were deferred from early action (and the year before, it was 267). (Look for more entries on deferred applicants soon) I know I speak for all of the admissions officers when I say that this was the most challenging early action admissions weve ever done. There were so many incredible students who applied early this year, more than we can ever remember. We loved reading your applications. Thank you for applying!

Friday, May 22, 2020

The Potential Benefits Of Cloning - 1068 Words

Cloning Cloning has been one of the most widely discussed and controversial scientific topics in the past decade. Cloning has been applied in many fields including the creation of new breeds of plants and animals. However, the cloning of plants has been practiced for hundreds of years. Cloning can be done on a larger level in animals and has potential benefits. The general process of cloning is to take one cell from the parent making the offspring and parent genetically identical (Tsunoda and Kato, 158-161). In addition by making completely identical cells, we can apply different treatments to different clones to see if they react in different ways. The potential benefits of cloning out way the consequences of cloning. In this paper I will first elaborate on microorganisms. Then I will talk about plants, animal and human cloning, and the controversies in cloning. Introductory work in Microorganisms â€Å"Bacteria and yeast produce clones of themselves naturally through the process of bina ry fission, which results in two identical daughter cells† (Boundless). Since their simple reproductive system and life cycle, they are natural hosts in development of different more advanced methods of cloning. Bacteria and yeasts can be cloned in a matter of hours, which make them ideal for studying because of their rapid reproduction abilities. Bacteria and yeast were originally studied as models for cloning and still are. Plant Cloning Cloning has different levels ofShow MoreRelatedPros and Cons of Cloning Humans906 Words   |  4 Pagesthe world on 23 February 1997.Soon after the announcement, the media attention was diverted by the possibility of cloning a human. Although the scientists from the Roslin Institute who had made the significant breakthrough with Dolly denied the possibility of creating human clones, the idea was still wide debated about the risks and benefits of human cloning. So, what is cloning? Cloning is a process of generating a new organism by an identical genetic copy of the original donor. The DNA of the twoRead MoreTherapeutic Cloning And Its Controversy1313 Words   |  6 PagesTherapeutic Cloning and its Controversy The idea of finding a way to cure people of diseases with their own cells is one that scientists, physicians, and those who are afflicted by such diseases find very enticing. Therapeutic cloning is a process that scientists believe has the potential to achieve such goals in the future. While therapeutic cloning brings with it a variety of potential benefits and innovations, it also carries with it a polarizing ethical conflict that poses a strong impedimentRead MoreCloning And Its Implications On Human Cloning1497 Words   |  6 PagesCloning and Its Sociobiological Implications Picture this: walking down a street and seeing someone who looks exactly like you. They do the same things as you, act the same way you do, and are exactly alike in several ways. But have people ever considered the consequences of human cloning if it becomes permitted? Human cloning might seem like something out of a science-fiction novel, but it may someday be possible with advances in science and technology. This will result in the creation of severalRead MoreEthical Justification Of Moderate Hesc Policy1601 Words   |  7 Pagesdefinition, discovery implies uncertainty, but progress cannot exist without either. They are codependent upon each other. Whether the use of embryonic stem cells is truly the destruction of human life and whether the potential of human life is equal to the possible realization of that potential is also codependent. Neither of these questions can be answered without simultaneously answering the other. Arguments from both sides of this issue are extremely v alid, which is why it has become such a difficultRead MoreHuman Cloning Is Not More Difficult Than Cloning921 Words   |  4 PagesHuman cloning involves removing the nucleus of a human egg and replacing it with the nucleus of an existing person (Glannon, p. 89). It is the genetic duplication of an existing person (CGS). Identical twins are a naturally occurring cloning (Science Daily). Several countries worldwide have bans on human cloning (Kilner). The U.S. government has cut funding for cloning research (Kilner). Arguments in favor of human cloning point out the benefits of advancing technology, while those against questionRead MoreThe Prospect Of Human Cloning1295 Words   |  6 Pages The prospect of human cloning was introduced in February 1997 when an embryologist was able to produce a lamb through the process of cloning. Once the lamb was cloned, the question of whether research for human cloning came into being. Society and researchers have feuded over whether human cloni ng should be banned or allowed for research and reproduction purposes. Each side has reasonable ideologies to continue their stance towards the opposing argument. Pro- cloners believe that the research developedRead MoreThe Consequences Of Cloning In Frankenstein By Mary Shelley1470 Words   |  6 PagesThe invention of cloning, both a blessing and a curse, can possibly enable humanity to reach eternal life. An invention is the creation of a device developed after a study or an experiment, in the hopes of benefiting society. The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is about an inventor, Victor Frankenstein, who creates life that he later rejects. His invention results in consequences for both himself and his creation. Both cloning and the creation of the monster was made to benefit and advance society’sRead MoreTwo of Us: Cloning Essay1477 Words   |  6 PagesHave you ever wondered what it would be like if you had twin or even if you had a clone? If you had an illness like d iabetes, have you ever wondered what it would be like if you did not? Cloning is the creation of an organism that is an exact genetic copy of another. The first successful clone was in 1997 when scientist Edinburgh cloned Dolly the sheep. She was the first animal to be cloned with an adult somatic cell by using the process of nuclear transfer. She was born on July 5 1996, lived toRead MorePros And Cons Of Cloning909 Words   |  4 PagesFor quite some time, cloning has been a largely debated topic in society. Most people in the U.S. feel like cloning is morally wrong and takes innocent lives, but others think that it is beneficial and could be a big advancement in modern science. Cloning to produce humans has been outlawed in most countries, but in some, cloning for therapeutic reasons is still a dispute. Cloning can lead to revolutionary medical treatments such as cures for cancer, diabetes, Parkinsons, Alzheimers, MultipleRead MoreThe Debate of Human Cloning Essay1690 Words    |  7 PagesThe journey that human cloning has taken has been one of dramatic highs and lows, heated arguments and confusion about the path ahead. When researchers witnessed the birth of the first cloned mammal, they were ecstatic, but this high ended with the tragic early death of this sheep, Dolly, due to abnormalities (Jaenisch 2004: 2787). The initial success and progress in this field fueled scientists to want to do further research into this technology, which would eventually leading to work with human

Saturday, May 9, 2020

The Benefits of Essay

The Benefits of Essay The best type of essay starts with the very best sort of topic, so take time to choose something which works for you. Regardless of what research paper outline you're considering, you will want to think about exactly how your research is going to be backed up. You don't need to research or argue. After reading the thesis, there ought to be no doubt precisely what the research will be about. You might also state what sort of approach it is that you will use in your paper for the whole discussion of your topic. The paper ought to be consistent from the start to the very end. Sooner or later, you are going to find that the whole research paper examples will allow you to start and get you moving in the proper direction for you to accomplish the very best possible mark you're able to. Since you are going to learn from looking through any fantastic research paper example, writing a terrific paper involves so far more than simply throwing a whole lot of text and citations into a word processor and hoping for the very best. Who Else Wants to Learn About Essay? Research Paper isn't a task for a single day. Even though the title is the shortest page of your report, it's often the toughest to write. The Introduction part is among the most essential ones. The Introduction and the entire text, for that matter, ought to be relatable. As the title of the writing implies you h ave to conduct the research in the certain region of knowledge. Rather than making broad statements about what you would like to do, provide certain examples from high school or extracurricular pursuits. Based on your subject, you are going to be expected to use different citation styles. The total style and tone of your research paper are contingent on the audience it is directed at. Don't forget that the chief goal of the research paper is to clearly show your abilities to work on your own and demonstrate the scope of your knowledge on several topics. The results part of your report needs to be neutral and you ought to avoid discussing your results or the way they differed from or compared with what was expected. You'll also wish to consider utilizing a literature overview. Explain where you're in the process, whether you're nearly finished or only halfway done. Choosing Essay Is Simple For those who haven't introduced any kind of solution in your essay, perhaps encourage other people to become more conscious of your topic. No matter whichever one that you opt to use, you have to be consistent throughout your essay. At times it just helps to observe how others have tackled essays before. Whether it's an argumentative or expository essay which you're writing, it is essential to develop a clear thesis statement and a crystal clear sound reasoning. Developing a good outline is vital in a more composing of your research paper. If you intend to write for a particular journal, an excellent advice is to look at the research paper outline of a few of the articles to have a better idea on how best to compose your article. All the ideal research paper examples begin with a great research paper outline. Ensure that your methodology to consequently it's simple to follow along with. Although, for research paper it is better to speak to your mentor to supply templates. Utilizing an outline template can assist the student organize the paper and eliminate the ideas that aren't related to the aim of the essay. A research paper on-line template is among the handy tool for writing a research topic. No matter the character of your research, if you're writing a paper an outline can help you to not just organize your thoughts, but in addition function as the template for your whole paper. Finding out how to compose a comprehensive outline for a research paper is a more elaborate procedure. An outline will help to learn the way a student will build other critical sections like Literature Review. An easy outline but it's vitally important to follow it. It's especially useful when it has to do with a huge research paper of some sort of academic essay that's big enough in proportion. Essay writing per se is no simple endeavor to do. The subject of your paper and the selected literature ought to be adjacent. Your primary theme and the chosen literature needs to be adjacent.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

AMER and NASDAQ Comparison Free Essays

Question No. 1 Both AMEX and NASDAQ are stock exchanges that have evolved from the demands of the times. AMEX or the American Stock Exchange started out as a stock exchange in the streets, or in the curb to be more precise, dealing stocks of companies that are not important enough to be a member of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (Psst, n. We will write a custom essay sample on AMER and NASDAQ Comparison or any similar topic only for you Order Now d., para. 6 and 7). NASDAQ or National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System, on the other hand, was born after the advent of the computer age, answering the call of technology-based companies for a stock exchange of their own. Because of this, NASDAQ’s procedures differ from AMEX significantly ((Psst, n.d., para. 8 and 9). Another similarity between the two exchanges is their common competitor, the NYSE. The biggest companies are traded in the NYSE which accounts for its popularity. There are on-going plans to merge AMEX and NASDAQ in the quest of making a stock exchange that is more competitive with the ever popular NYSE (Psst, n.d., para. 12). The two exchanges can compliment each other because of the different ways by which they conduct their business. These differences will be discussed in the later part of this paper. AMEX and NASDAQ each cater to a specific type of company. NASDAQ is preferred by firms like Microsoft, Intel and Apple (Psst, n.d., para. 9). These companies are involved mainly in technology. They are more comfortable with the system used by NASDAQ since it is an exchange that uses computers in its operations. Since AMEX was created as an answer to companies who cannot get into the NYSE, AMEX listings include small and mid-cap companies, companies that are not qualified to join the NYSE. AMEX has an impressive listing of options and exchange traded trusts. AMEX â€Å"specializes in energy companies, start-ups and biotech firms† (Investigator guide staff, n.d., para. 1). Question No. 2 The differences between the operations of the two exchanges are many. AMEX operations is similar to that of a traditional exchange. There is a floor where the buying and selling takes place. Buying and selling are done personally with buyers and sellers gesturing their offer and acceptance. The system is more personal, the buyers and sellers interacting face-to-face. In fact, AMEX started by trading in the curb only to move on to a building of its own with its own â€Å"floor†. NASDAQ uses electronics in its operations. NASDAQ does not have a trading floor where buyers and sellers meet to conduct trade. Buyers use telephones and computer terminals which contains the information on the securities being traded in real time. NASDAQ used to be considered as an â€Å"Over the Counter Exchange†, but as the term evolve over the years, NASDAQ is no longer considered as such. Initially, â€Å"Over the Counter Exchanges† are those which conduct trading without â€Å"trading floors† (Investigator guide staff, n.d., para. 3). Now, the term only refers to exchanges that trade stocks that do not qualify in any of the major exchanges (Investigator guide staff, n.d., para. 3). Since NASDAQ is considered a major exchange, it is no longer considered an â€Å"Over the Counter Exchange†. As stated above, the companies dealing in technology find the system of NASDAQ more efficient than that of AMEX. The system of NASDAQ, allows for a â€Å"spread† which is kept by the buyer or stock broker as part of his profit. A spread is the difference between the selling price and buying price. Under NASDAQ’s system, dealers and brokers are able to sell directly to the buyers through computers and are not required to disclose the amount with which sellers are willing to sell their securities. Dealers and stockbrokers can increase such cost provided there are buyers willing to buy the same, any difference is theirs to keep. Because the system is prone to abuse, the government has enacted regulations to govern trading done through this system. (Psst, n.d., para. 13 -16). Because of the difference with which the two exchanges conduct their operations, the companies registered under them are from different industries. As mentioned above, NASDAQ specializes in companies engaged in technology, such as Microsoft and CISCO. On the other hand, AMEX specializes in energy companies and biotech firms. Question No. 3 The collapse of Worlcom, Inc. and the conviction of its Chief Executive led to many losses not just in the telecoms industry but also in other industries. The fiasco that was Worldcom led to the revival and enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Belson 2005).. This piece of legislation provided for very specific accounting and auditing guidelines and detailed corporate disclosure. While this legislations aims to protect investors from the creative and dubious accounting practices of some corporations, corporations find the law stifling (Belson 2005). Worldcom continued to exist after the fiasco, reverting to its former name MCI. While it used to be a huge corporation that gobbles up smaller telecoms on its path to dominance, it struggled to survive in a much diminished state. The bankruptcy of the company meant that many people lost their jobs, savings and retirement benefits. Many of those who had worked for the company for a long time found themselves starting over again. During its heyday, Worldcom tactics has forced ATT and other telecom companies to drastically lower the costs of their services to be competitive (Belson 2005). ATT needed to cut cost by reducing its work force. These events and several ill-timed investments led to the decline of the once mighty ATT, a decline from which it never fully recovered. Reference Belson, K. January 18, 2005. Worldcom’s audacious failure and its toll on an industry. Retrieved October 11, 2007 at http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/18/business/18ebbers.html?pagewanted=1. Investor guide staff. n.d.   Retrieved October 11, 2007 at http://www.investorguide.com/igu-article-423-investing-basics-amex-nasdaq-otc-and-other-exchanges.html. Pssssst wanna trade?. n.d. Retrieved October 11, 2007 at http://www.pbs.org/newshour/on2/money/amex.html. How to cite AMER and NASDAQ Comparison, Essay examples

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Nursing Is A Profession Essays - Nursing, Transcultural Nursing

Nursing Is A Profession Nursing is a profession that blends the rich traditions of the past with the ever changing realities of todays health care industry. Nursing is not simply an assortment of special skills and the nurse is not simply a person proficient in performing these specific tasks. Nursing is a profession. I believe this statement to be true because of several factors. The Title 19 Code for Nurses is titled Standards for Professional Nursing Practice. The status of nursing as a profession reflects the values that society places on the work of nurses and how central nursing is to the good of society. By being a professional we imply that the person is conscientious in actions, knowledgeable in the subject and responsible to self and others. (Potter & Perry, 1993, p. 27) Flexners characteristics of a true profession are: Is basically intellectual (as opposed to physical) Is based on a body of knowledge that can be learned Is practical, rather than theoretical Can be taught through the process of professional education Has a strong internal organization of members Has practitioners who are motivated by altruism (the desire to help others) (Creasia & Parker,1996, p. 48) Although nursing can be a very physical endeavor, it carries with it responsibilities that are strictly intellectual in nature. For instance, walking into a room to assess a patient, you have to have the knowledge of human anatomy, normal characteristics, normal vital signs, normal systems responses, etc. This is all taught and (hopefully) learned in nursing school. Nursing has a very strong internal organization of nurses that have joined together over the years into organizations such as the American Nursing Association, WVNA, WVSNA, and various other state s life was saved by them. This is a motivation for entering the profession and also for staying in it when the work gets rugged and the money tight. Brenner (1984) described the 5 stages of development for the professional nurse. The stages are (1) Novice (2) Advance Beginner (3) Competent practitioner (4) Proficient practitioner (5) Expert Practitioner. The stages progress from a nursing student to the professional practitioner through growth and knowledge. (Lopez-Boyd, 1997, p. 41) Nursing is a profession. Look around you, you see competent, caring individuals on a daily basis, doing the work of nursing. Bibliography Creasia, J.L. & Parker, B. (1996). Conceptual foundations of professional nursing practice. St Louis, MS: Mosby Year Book. Lopez-Boyd, L. (1997). Professional strategies in nursing. Indianapolis, IN: The College Network. Potter, P.A. & Perry, A.G. (1993). Fundamentals of nursing: concepts, process & practice. 3rd ed. St Louis, MS: Mosby Year Book. Medicine Essays

Friday, March 20, 2020

Pros and Cons of Earning a Masters Degree Before a PhD

Pros and Cons of Earning a Masters Degree Before a PhD As a potential applicant to graduate school you have a great many decisions to make. The initial decisions, such as what field to study, may come easily. However, many applicants struggle with choosing what degree to pursue, whether a master’s degree or PhD is right for them. Others know what degree they want. Those who choose a doctoral degree sometimes wonder if they should first complete a master’s degree. Do you need a master’s degree to apply to a doctoral program? Is a master’s degree an essential prerequisite for gaining admission to a doctoral program? Usually not. Does a master’s degree improve your odds of admission? Sometimes. Is it in your best interest to earn master’s before applying to PhD programs? It depends. Pros and Cons of Earning a Master's Before Applying to PhD Programs There are both advantages and disadvantages to earning a master’s before applying to PhD programs. Below are some of the pros and cons: Pro:  A master’s degree will introduce you to the process of graduate study. Without a doubt, graduate school is different from college. This is especially true at the doctoral level. A master’s program can introduce to you the process of graduate study and help you understand how it is different from undergraduate study.  A master’s program can help you make the transition to graduate school and prepare you for making the transition from college student to graduate scholar.   Pro:  A master’s program can help you see if you are ready for doctoral study. Are you ready for graduate school? Do you have the right study habits? Are you motivated? Can you manage your time? Enrolling in a master’s program can help you see if you have what it takes for success as a graduate student – and especially as a doctoral student. Pro: A master’s program can help you see if you are interested enough to undertake a PhD The typical college survey courses present a broad view of a discipline, with little depth. Small college seminars present a topic in more depth but it will not come close to what you will learn in graduate school. It is not until students are immersed in a field that they truly come to know the depth of their interest. Sometimes new grad students realize that the field is not for them. Others complete the master’s degree but realize that they have no interest in pursuing a doctorate. Pro: A masters may help you get into a doctoral program. If your undergraduate transcript leaves much to be desired, a master’s program may help you improve your academic record and show that you have the stuff that competent graduate students are made of. Earning a master’s degree shows that you are committed and interested in your field of study.  Returning students may seek a master’s degree to obtain contacts and recommendations from faculty. Pro: A master’s degree can help you change fields. Are you planning on studying a different field than your college major? It can be hard to convince a graduate admissions committee that you are interested and committed to a field in which that you have little formal experience. A master’s degree can not only introduce you to the field but can show the admissions committee that you interested, committed, and competent in your chosen field.   Pro: A master’s degree can offer a foot in the door to a particular graduate program. Suppose you hope to attend a specific graduate program. Taking a few graduate courses, nonmatriculated (or nondegree-seeking) can help you learn about the program and can help faculty learn about you. This is even more true for master’s students. In many graduate programs, master’s and doctoral students take some of the same classes. As a master’s student, you’ll have contact with graduate faculty – often those who teach in the doctoral program. Completing a thesis and volunteering to work on faculty research can help faculty get to know you as a competent and promising researcher. A master’s degree might offer you a foot in the door and a better chance of gaining admission to the department’s doctoral program. However, admission is not guaranteed. Before you choose this option, be sure that you can live with yourself if you don’t gain admission. Will you be happy with a terminal master? Con:  A master’s degree is time-consuming. Typically a full-time master’s program will require 2 years of study.  Many new doctoral students find that their master’s coursework doesn’t transfer. If you enroll in a master’s program recognize that it will likely not make a dent in your required doctoral coursework. Your  PhD  will likely take an additional 4 to 6 years after earning your master’s degree. Con:  A master’s degree is usually unfunded. Many students find this a big con: Master’s students usually do not receive much funding. Most master’s programs are paid for out-of-pocket. Are you prepared to potentially have tens of thousands of dollars of debt before you begin your PhD.?  If you choose not to seek a doctoral degree, what employment options accompany your master’s degree? While I’d argue that a master’s degree is always of value for your intellectual and personal growth, if the salary-return of your degree is important to you, do your homework and think carefully before enrolling in a master’s program prior to seeking your PhD. Whether you seek a master’s degree before applying to doctoral programs is a personal decision. Also recognize that many PhD programs award master’s degrees along the way, typically after the first year and completing exams and/or a thesis.

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Overall SAT Structure - PrepScholar 2016 Students Encyclopedia

Overall SAT Structure - PrepScholar 2016 Students' Encyclopedia SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The SAT has three sections, Critical Reading (formerly referred to as Verbal), Mathematics, and Writing. All of the questions within these sections are multiple choice, with the exception of a 25 minute essay in Writing and ten student-produced responses in Mathematics. Note: this article is a series in the PrepScholar2016 Students' Encyclopedia, a free students' and parents' SAT / ACT guide that provides encyclopedic knowledge. Read all the articles here! The Critical Reading section features two types of questions, passage-based questions and sentence completions, which test students' reading comprehension and understanding of vocabulary.Questions in the Mathematics section test students' data literacy and ability to interpret tables, charts, and graphs. Students must solve single step and multi-step problems by applying mathematical concepts from four main areas: number and operations, algebra and functions, geometry and measurement, and data analysis, statistics, and probability. The Writing section is largely concerned with testing the rules of English grammar, mechanics, and usage. Multiple choice questions measurestudents' ability to recognize errors in sentences and paragraphs and to improve them by changing word choice or idea organization. In the essay, students must develop a point of view on a prompt, often philosophical or related to a social issue. Strong essays provide relevant and well-supported examples and demonstrate varied vocabulary and a logical flow of ideas. The SAT is administered in ten subsections, each of which is strictly timed at 25 minutes, 20 minutes, or 10 minutes. The 25 minute essay is always first, and a 10 minute multiple choice Writing section is always last. Sections 2 through 7 are 25-minute sections, and sections 8 and 9 are each 20 minutes long. The order of Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing sections differs among tests and, apart from the first and last sections, cannot be predicted. One of the 25 minute sections on the SAT is an experimental, or variable, section and is unscored. The experimental section is used to ensure accuracy in scoring and to evaluate material for future tests. It can be Critical Reading, Mathematics, or Writing, and students have no way of knowing in advance which section it will fall in. The total testing time of the SAT is 3 hours and 45 minutes. The actual test-taking experience takes about 4.5 hours, including instructions from the proctor and three 5 minute breaks. The highest possible composite score on the SAT is 2400. The raw scores students receive on each section, based on the number of questions they got correct, incorrect, or skipped, are converted to a scaled score between 200 and 800 through a process called equating, which takes into account the performance of all students who took the SAT on a given test date. The essay is graded by two readers, who give it a score from 1 to 6 and add their scores together. A score of 0 is possible if the essay section is left blank or the student's response is illegible or completely off topic. The essay contributes about 30% to the overall Writing score, while the multiple choice makes up the other 70%. SAT multiple choice questions range in difficulty level from easy to medium to hard. Most of the Mathematics and Writing multiple choice questions increase in difficulty level throughout a given section, along with the sentence completion questions in Critical Reading. The exception to this pattern ispassage-based questions in Critical Reading, which are ordered chronologically along with the passage(s) to which they refer. Since each section is strictly timed and students may not revisit a section one time has expired, time management and pacing areparticular challenges for students on the SAT. Efficiency is a key factor for achieving strong scores. Students generally benefit from taking timed official SAT practice tests before sitting for the SAT on their registered test date. Redesign Alert The new SAT, which will be first administered in March of 2016, returns to a pre-2005 1600 scoring system, with Critical Reading and Writing scored together out of a maximum possible score of 800. The essay will be placed at the end of the test and made optional. There will be no more penalty for wrong answers, and each multiple choice question will have 4 answer choices instead of the current 5. Along with changes in format and scoring, the new SAT also focuses on some different skills and content knowledge. Read more from the SAT Encyclopedia! Further Reading What's Actually Tested on the SAT Critical Reading Section? What's Actually Tested on the SAT Math Section? What's Actually Tested on the SAT Writing Section? Grammar and Questions