Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, College Board announced on January 19 that they will be making changes to the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT.)
“The pandemic accelerated a process already underway at the College Board to reduce and simplify demands on students,” College Board said.
The first change they’ve made was discontinuing the optional essay portion.
While students can still take the SAT with the essay through June 2021, students who are already signed up for the test with the essay this spring can cancel the essay portion free of charge.
Another change made to the SAT is that they are also discontinuing the Subject Tests.
According to College Board, “The expanded reach of [Advanced Placement (AP)] and its widespread availability for low-income students and students of color means the Subject Tests are no longer necessary for students to show what they know” is their reason for removing this option from the SAT.
These changes are effective immediately and all those who have signed up for a Subject Test will receive a full refund.
College Board also announced that they are investigating a more “flexible SAT—a streamlined, digitally delivered test that meets the evolving needs of students and higher education.”
While it is not confirmed yet, College Board is working hard, especially for the Class of 2022, who are expected to take the SAT in the spring, to provide them with options for testing during the pandemic.
They hope to achieve this by giving the spots that were supposed to be given to Subject Testers to students who want to take the SAT. They also plan to expand testing for the fall if the pandemic continues to affect testing this spring.
College Board plans to release more in-depth information about these changes in the coming months. For more information click here
