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Research Article

An Analysis of the Language Section Items of SAT in Korea and U.S.A.

Eunhee Noh, Park Kibeom

한국교육과정평가원
한국교육과정평가원

Published: January 2009 · No. 34 · pp. 267-307

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20880/kler.2009..34.267

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Abstract

SAT(Scholastic Aptitude Test) is one of the requirements of admissions to the U.S.A. and Korea colleges. SAT is the standardized examination similar to Korea’s SAT. The purpose of this study is to provide suggestions for the Language Section of SAT in Korea, on the basis of comparing those of U.S.A. In order to achieve the aim of this study, we particularly analyzed the critical reading items, the writing items on the SAT Reasoning Test and the literature items on the SAT Subject Test. The results of this study are as follows: First, passages vary in length and are taken from a variety of fields, not revising the original texts. Second, the critical reading items measure a student’s literal and inferential comprehension ability, and the writing items focus on a student’s vocabulary and grammar proficiency. Third, the questions are stereotyped, repetitive, and simple. Therefore most of the students are accustomed with these types of questions and come to feel easy understanding the questions. Forth, passage difficulty is appropriate for high school students, but item difficulty is low for them. Because all of items are selected from the Item Bank according to item difficulty, the SAT can constantly maintain the degree of difficulty. Fifth, writing section includes multiple-choice questions and an essay. The essay tests students’ ability to articulate a coherent argument, supporting a point of view on an issue specified on the test. Sixth, the SAT is divided into The Reasoning Test and The Subject Test. The Reasoning Test assesses the critical thinking skills students need for academic success in college—skills that students learned in high school. The Subject Test measures students’ knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as their ability to apply that knowledge.
Keywords: 대학입시언어 영역대학수학능력시험