Meghan Bastin would like to be excited about her 1730 score on the SAT, but the Knoch High School junior isn't sure exactly what it means.

Bastin, like others who took the new Scholastic Aptitude Test for the first time in March, have no idea how colleges and universities will use the new scoring system to determine admission.

"I'm not sure if I'll take it again," Bastin said. "It all depends on what the colleges I want to apply for think of the scores I got this time."

BASTIN ISN'T ALONE IN trying to figure out what kind of score is average, good or excellent under the test's new scoring system.Under the previous SAT, 1600 was a perfect score. There were only two parts to the test, math and verbal. Each part was worth 800 points.An average score under the previous test for Pennsylvania students was about 1,000.However, the new test has three sections, each worth 800 points, bringing the total possible score up to 2400.So what is considered good under the new scoring system?Mimi Conner, the acting admissions director at Slippery Rock University, said SRU plans to study the new test and its scoring system for one to two years before making a judgment call on the scoring."There seems to be some confusion about the scoring, but there is very good information about it on the College Board's Web site," she said.What SRU plans to do, at least for the initial year using the scores, is look closely at the math and verbal parts of the test, Conner said.Those parts have scores ranging from 2 to 800, for a total combined score of 1600, which is what the previous SAT was based on, she said.An average score using just those two components is 1000, Conner said, adding she doesn't expect the average score to change much even with the new test.The writing part of the test, which is worth another 800 points, is where the uncertainty lies, Conner said."This is where it hasn't been determined yet what the mean (score) will be," she said.Students who apply to SRU and aren't sure if their scores from the new test are acceptable need not worry, Conner said."SRU will be looking at the (SAT) scores during the first year of the test, but not as the sole criteria (for admission)," she said. "I think most (colleges) are being cautious in this way."What SRU plans to do is look at the math and verbal scores, as well as the student's grades in English and writing classes in high school and five samples of their writing, Conner said.Applicants also will be required to take a separate writing test administered by SRU, she said.Conner said SRU hopes to include the remaining portion of the test after a year or two, once it has a better handle on the scoring for that section."But right now, we're looking positively on the changes," she said. "And we're pleased to see a writing sample."Butler County Community College spokeswoman Susan Changnon said BC3 doesn't use SAT scores to determine admission, so the new test will not affect students there.BC3 has an open admissions policy that allows any student who has graduated from high school or earned a GED to apply.

OTHER CHANGES IN the test were received more positively by students and guidance counselors.Bastin said although she didn't have anything to compare the new test to since it was her first time taking the SAT, she thought it was a pretty fair test.She also was impressed with the way the new essay portion was being graded."Two people are responsible for scoring each essay," she said. "I liked that because it left less room for bias."Scott Muska, another Knoch High School junior who took the test in March, said he actually liked the essay component."I liked the writing part, I thought it was a nice addition," he said. "Writing and critical reading are my strong points, and math is not, so I thought (the essay) helped even it out and bring my total score back up."Like Bastin, Muska isn't sure what to make of his 1780 score."I'll probably take it again, but I think that my first score is pretty good," he said.The two said their biggest complaint about the test was its length. At three hours and 45 minutes, both said it was too long."It was pretty lengthy," Muska said. "And it seemed like I just sat there a lot once I finished a section."Bastin's main complaint was the back-to-back reading sections."After three hours of these reading sections, it all just started to smush together," she said. "And it only got harder once I got burned out."Both students said although the test seemed fair, they aren't sure it was a good measure of their abilities."Not really," Muska said. "If you aren't going into a math or writing field, that's all they test, so it's not really a good measure. What about someone going into a science field? There's no science questions on it."Bastin said she didn't think the time limits for the sections were realistic, especially the essay portion, which had to be done in 25 minutes."It didn't take into account that in college, with an assignment like that, you'd probably be given time to do some research and find sources to support your argument," she said. "You didn't get a chance to do that on this test."Both students said they felt they were prepared for the test and that many of their classes at Knoch helped them, particularly with the writing portions.LuAnn Byrnes, a guidance counselor at Knoch High School, said she has heard mostly positive feedback from other students who have taken the test.Byrnes said she also likes the improvements."I think it's a more adequate match with the curriculum and skills taught here at Knoch," she said. "For us, it matches how we're preparing the kids to meet their future."Byrnes said she likes the new essay portion and thinks an emphasis on writing is a good thing."(The essay) forces you to think fast on your feet," she said. "And that's something a lot of colleges are looking for in a good student."Byrnes also likes the addition of Algebra II questions in the math section, which the old test did not contain. She said it makes for a more balanced assessment of a student's math abilities by including the second level of Algebra in the test, which most students have taken by their junior year in school.Her biggest complaint, like the students, was the length of the test."The length of the test is rough," Byrnes said. "And I particularly don't like the new 25 minutes of the test that is unscored. I think that's a waste of time and it would reduce the time of the test if it weren't included, so I'd like to see that part gone."There is no explanation listed on the College Board's Web site as to why there are unscored questions on the test. The questions are peppered throughout the test, with no advance warning for students about which questions will not be scored.The only other change Byrnes doesn't like is the cost to students. The new test is $41.50. The previous version was $28.50."That's pretty steep and it may keep some kids from taking it more than once because they won't be able to afford it," she said. "The cost adjustment, in my opinion, can't be justified."