For many underclassmen the well-known SAT will be a little bit different in the years to come. Beginning in the spring of 2016, a new SAT test will be administered, according to the College Board. The new exam will have a maximum score of 1600 and an optional essay, unlike the current test that has a maximum score of 2400 and a mandatory essay that constitutes a writing score.

Some students may be excited about the new and improved Scholastic Aptitude Test, but for those who have already taken it or who will be taking it before the changes are implemented the reaction is different. It can be argued that the new SAT is unfair to those who have already taken the test and have had to stress over the dreaded essay.

Why announce new changes almost two years in advance and not implement them? Now some students have to take the current SAT and the new SAT and decide which scores to send in to colleges. They will also have to prepare differently for the two tests.

Furthermore, the new SAT will only have two required sections as opposed to three. Instead of critical reading, this test will feature evidence-based reading. The vocabulary section will have more common words learned throughout a student’s curriculum. This is not fair to students who have spent hours memorizing obscure words, wondering why they even bothered learning vocabulary words in school when they would not be used on one of the most important tests of their lives.

The SAT was designed to measure a student’s capability to learn on a college level and to show colleges how successful a student may be. With the new SAT, a student isn’t as challenged and their scores won’t really reflect the type of knowledge colleges are looking for.

Colleges, such as Duke University, have mixed feelings about the changes that will be presented in 2016. Officials believe the changes are “promising” but will greatly affect admissions.

The new SAT will also not deduct for selecting wrong answer choices. I understand that this will help a student’s score, but what will they learn from that? And what about students who have gotten deductions on the current SAT? How should they feel, considering wrong answer choices have brought their scores down and will now have no effect?

Ideally, the new SAT would align the test with a student’s experience and work. This is a great thing for students who will actually be taking the new SAT. Since I have to take the current SAT, I am very jealous of those who will take the SAT with the changes.

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