By Naomi Nguyen
The College Board announced March 5 that it would be implementing changes to the SAT that would be effective starting spring of 2016.
Such changes include no more penalties for choosing the wrong answer, more focus on vocabulary words that students are more likely to use in their college courses, the essay will become optional, the test will be out 1600 rather than 2400, and other changes as well.
The changes have been met with mixed reactions from students, especially the ones that will be taking or have taken the current SAT rather than the new, altered test.
“Well, honestly I like the fact that the SAT will pertain more to stuff we actually do in school,” said Martin Tran (’15). “Maybe this is kind of selfish, but I feel angry that I studied so much vocab and stuff for this SAT. But I understand changes are inevitable so I guess I have to accept what is going to happen.”
Brandon Vu (’15), who took the test in October, stated, “I don’t care about the changes because they don’t affect me anymore,”
However, even though these changes will mainly affect freshmen, many of them do not realize that there have been adjustments to the SAT at all.
“I don’t know the whole test taking systems or anything related to SATs, but I’m a bit relieved. I know SATs are pretty difficult and stressful, but knowing that there’ll be changes to make it easier makes me want to breathe a sigh of relief, “said Emily Tong (’17).
One of the more noticeable changes to the SAT is the essay being made optional rather than required as it has been since 2005. Since the SAT will only be out of 1600, there will be 800 points possible in both the reading and math categories, putting less emphasis on writing.
“My initial reaction is that I’m curious to see how colleges respond. Because part of the SAT is that you are assessed on a broad spectrum of skills. And writing is one of the most important and is something colleges value significantly,” English teacher Yvette Wright said. “It seems like the opposite of what we’re being told to emphasize.”
