College Board SAT Suite of Assessments Webinar - Text Complexity and Skill Progression on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section - January 25-29, 2021

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by hdkawk

College Board SAT Suite of Assessments webinar materials outlining how text complexity and skill progression support evidence-based reading and writing. The agenda covers text complexity, skill progression, the SAT Question Bank, and instructional strategies for reading/writing and language tests. Content defines text complexity factors, distinguishes complex text and grade-level complex text, and describes consistent passage ranges across SAT, PSAT 10, PSAT 8/9, and the SAT Essay. It also explains the curriculum review worksheets used to analyze performance, identify skills needing instruction, and plan implementation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages48

Reading Time2 h 1 min

AccessFree to download

Agenda

What the tests require of students

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section overview

Curriculum Review Worksheets

Purpose for teachers

Table structure for skill placement

Text Complexity, Complex Text, and Grade-Level Complex Text on the SAT Suite of Assessments

Definition of text complexity

Quantitative and qualitative measurement

Passage ranges across SAT/PSAT/SAT Essay

Complex text and grade-level complex text

College Board SAT® Suite of Assessments Webinar Text Complexity and Skill Progression on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section January 25-29, 2021 Agenda Here’s what we’ll cover today: • Text Complexity on the SAT® Suite of Assessments • Skill Progression • SAT® Suite Question Bank • Instructional Strategies for the Reading and Writing and Language Tests The College Board has concluded that students must be able to • read, analyze, and use reasoning to comprehend challenging literary and informational texts, including texts about science and history/social studies topics, to demonstrate and expand their knowledge and understanding; • revise and edit extended texts across a range of academic and careerrelated subjects for expression of ideas and show facility with a core set of grammar, usage, and punctuation conventions; • show command of a focused but powerful set of knowledge, skills, and understandings in math and solve problems situated in science, social studies, and career-related contexts; • make careful and deliberate use of evidence as they read and write; • demonstrate skill in analyzing data, including data represented graphically in tables, graphs, charts, and the like, in reading, writing, and math contexts; and • reveal an understanding of words in context and how word choice helps shape meaning and tone. [https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/redesigned-sat-k12-](https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/redesigned-sat-k12-)[teacher-implementation-guide.pd](teacher-implementation-guide.pdf)[f](teacher-implementation-guide.pdf) The Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section of the SAT comprises the Reading Test and the Writing and Language Test. Key elements of both tests include the following: • the use of a specified range of text complexity aligned to college and career readiness levels of reading • an emphasis on source analysis and use of evidence • the inclusion of data and informational graphics, which students must analyze in conjunction with text • a focus on words in context and word choice for rhetorical effect • attention to a core set of important English language conventions and to effective written expression • the requirement that students work with texts across a wide range of disciplines [https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/redesigned-sat-k12-](https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/redesigned-sat-k12-)[teacher-implementation-guide.pd](teacher-implementation-guide.pdf)[f](teacher-implementation-guide.pdf) Curriculum Review Worksheets [https://www.isbe.net/Pages/sat-psat.aspx](https://www.isbe.net/Pages/sat-psat.aspx) The Curriculum Review Worksheets are designed to help teachers • understand many of the skills and knowledge that are assessed on the PSAT™ 8/9, PSAT™ 10, and SAT® ; • review student performance; • identify skills and knowledge that need additional instruction and support; and • develop a plan for implementation. The Curriculum Review Worksheets contain sets of tables addressing most of the skills and knowledge assessed on the PSAT™ 8/9, PSAT™ 10, and SAT® (Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Tests) . Each table includes a description of a skill or knowledge and provides a structure to guide educators to evaluate the placement of that skill or knowledge within the curriculum. To request the full version of the curriculum worksheets for Reading, Writing and Language, and Math, please email [ILSAT@collegeboard.org](ILSAT@collegeboard.org). Text Complexity, Complex Text, and Grade-Level Complex Text on the SAT® Suite of Assessments Text complexity refers to the inherent difficulty (or ease) of text distinct from reader and task considerations. Aspects of text contributing to text complexity (or ease) include the following: • both word-and sentence-level factors • text structure • density of information and ideas • demands on the reader’s knowledge Text complex

FAQs

What skills does the SAT evidence-based reading and writing section aim to assess?

Students must read, analyze, and use reasoning to comprehend challenging literary and informational texts; revise and edit extended texts; and use evidence carefully in reading and writing. The materials also emphasize analyzing data in graphics and understanding words in context for meaning and tone.

How is text complexity defined in this webinar?

Text complexity is the inherent difficulty of a text, separate from reader and task considerations. It includes word- and sentence-level factors, text structure, density of information and ideas, and demands on the reader’s knowledge.

How do curriculum review worksheets support teachers after reviewing PSAT and SAT performance?

The worksheets help teachers understand assessed skills, review student performance, identify skills needing additional instruction, and develop an implementation plan. Each table provides a skill description and a structure to evaluate where the skill fits within the curriculum.

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by hdkawk