Easier & Shorter: The Digital SAT

Getting submitted to a college in the U.S. would sometimes require you to take the SAT or Scholastic Assessment Test, which was, in the past, a paper-and-pencil test. However, it seems that is about to change.

The new test version would go all-digital, have shorter reading passages, and a shorter exam time, from 3 hours now to 2 hours. The College Board, formed in 1899 as the College Entrance Examination Board, says that the all-digital test would give states, districts, and schools more flexibility on where and when to administer the test. As for the math section, questions would be less wordy, and calculators would be allowed throughout. The digital SAT will be offered internationally in March 2023 and then in the U.S. in March of 2024, and scores can get delivered in days rather than weeks. Despite the changes, scores will still be on a 1600-point scale and administered in a school or test center, not at home. And if you don’t have your own devices, schools would provide them for you.

So why change now? The test has long faced criticism for bias against students from poorer communities. You see, there’s this sort of an unfair loop. Students from wealthy families tend to receive expensive preparation for the exams. In turn, these students would likely get a good test score, be admitted to better colleges, and graduate to find high-quality jobs. But those from poorer backgrounds can’t get the above benefits, and these students wouldn’t have as good scores and can only get accepted by ordinary colleges. These students would grow up unable to compete with students of elite schools for good-paying jobs. Then the cycle continues for every generation. The high-income graduates could afford preparations for their children, while those who have middle-class jobs can’t provide those benefits.

So why the SAT? Well, over the years, some colleges have made it optional for high-school graduates to submit test scores. However, according to the College Board, they want the SAT to be the best possible option. Many students say that they want their scores submitted. And data says that 1.7 million students had scores that would strengthen their college application, opening more opportunities for them. Among the 1.7 million, 300,000 were from relatively poor small towns and rural communities. Note here that the test would still measure the knowledge and skills for college and career readiness. Students who took the pilot version said that it was more convenient, with a built-in calculator, a clock in the corner, with things all ready to go. Others also say that the questions were better formatted, getting directly to the point.

So what do you think? In the long history of the SAT, is this change worth it? Would you apply for this new digital version? Well, never forget, not always does a test score predict someone’s ability, knowledge, and intelligence, because that is all up to you. That is the end of this production from the New News Newsminute. Thank you, and don’t forget to be your best self.