It has been announced that the era of high schoolers sharpening their No. 2 pencils and attending an in-person SAT test is coming to an end. 

The College Board announced that they will be making changes to the SAT for the first time in thirty years. According to Stephanie Saul, writer of the New York Times, the test is going to be taking place on laptops or even tablets in a testing center. Overall, it will be shortened from three hours to two hours. Changes are projected to take place in 2024 in the US and 2023 in other countries. 

It has been interpreted that these changes have been made due to the large switch of colleges going from accepting test scores to being test blind or test optional. In fact, as a senior myself having to apply to colleges in a COVID year, it was emphasized that submitting scores can work more against an individual’s competitiveness compared to before. 

Priscilla Rodriquez, Vice President of College Readiness Assessments at College Board, discussed the new forms of the test which will be allowing calculators for the entire math section, incorporating shorter reading passages, and allowing students to receive their test back in days compared to weeks.

With mandatory requirements of a device in order to complete the test, College Board has extended helpful sources by providing a tablet to anyone who is in need of one for the time being. 

After analyzing the situation, I asked my Psych teacher, Mr. Caro, his thoughts on the change and whether or not it would be beneficial.

“when it comes to attention span one of the biggest problems with these kinds of really long tests is that even if the person is knowledgeable there is only so much you can attend to for so long”

So, changing the length of the test while ultimately providing more time may display more accurate results.

As far as the digital Aspect, “On some digital tests, you cannot skip questions. You have to answer!!! The way memory works is that oftentimes other questions on the test remind you of other questions. So if it is digital and they block you from skipping you do not get that benefit” said Mr. Caro.

Although the SAT has made a shift in its form, there is still controversy as far as the recognition students are given by being judged off of a test score. Mr. Caro shares his opinion on this. 

“It is all gonna be about your motivation, your goals and the discipline and habits you form in High School— that is one of the things that I think are more important. The habits you need to be successful in college” 

With COVID changing many things, it has become evident that motivation and true passion in your studies is such an important factor when it comes to moving on to the next stage of your life.

A test score does not define you, your interests, strengths, and abilities to communicate provides more accurate representation.