新SAT essay与老SAT essay，ACT以及AP的比较
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。
1.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:Thinkcarefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and assignmentbelow:
Assignment:Do changes that make our lives easier notnecessarily make them better? Plan and write an essay in which you develop yourpoint of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examplestaken from your reading, studies, experience, or observation.
Thinkcarefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and assignmentbelow:
Assignment:Is conscience a more powerful motivator than money, fame, or power? Plan andwrite an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Supportyour position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies,experience, or observation.
Thinkcarefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and assignmentbelow:
Assignment:Can success be disastrous? Plan and write anessay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support yourposition with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies,experience, or observation.
2.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 withancient periods, the department has decided to focus on teaching history onlyfrom 1940 to the present. Proponents of this theory believe that students canlearn best from studying the recent past up to the present. A few historyteachers, on the other hand, believe strongly that this is an error. Theyadvocate the idea that the only way we can understand and prepare for thefuture is to study as much of the past as possible. In your view, how much ofhistory should be taught in schools?
There are a number of students in your school who are planning tograduate and head directly to some of the biggest colleges in the country.These colleges have huge campuses and thousands of students enrolled. A numberof smaller colleges have been sending you promotional literature, several ofwhich really appeal to you. In your viewpoint, do you think small or largecolleges offer a better education? What factors should help a student choose acollege?
Because of the recent increase in incidents of school violence, anumber of schools around the country are limiting the number of times a studentcan go to his or her locker. While advocates believe that this will help reducethe risk of students keeping any illegal substances (including weapons) intheir lockers, others disagree. They state that it has little effect onviolence and other issues, but it does drastically increase the number of booksthe average student has to carry around every day. In your point of view,should locker visits be limited or not?
3.AP English language and composition：
freeresponse 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。
4.接下来我们来看改革后的SATessay:
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PaulBogard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。
总而言之，新