As of March 2016, College Board will implement a new, improved version of the SAT, a standardized test used in college admissions. Along with the multiple changes, the district may also pay for students to take part in the first distribution of the test this in March.

The new SAT includes an optional essay, no penalty for guesses, and “no vocabulary that you will never use again.” The test also contains a new point scale ranging from 400-1600 in reading, writing, language, and math. The new test has been said to accommodate information that is acquired throughout life, rather than knowledge gained from prep books or tutors.

Sophomore Simran Shah says, “I have mixed feelings about it. I don’t think one test should determine your future, how smart you are, or limit college choices. The old SAT was much more practicing the style and outsmarting the test rather the new SAT which is more organized. I am disappointed that the essay is optional in the new one.”

Almost all colleges across the U.S accept these scores. Limited fee waivers are given to those who have free or reduced lunch, and include four college application waivers per student.

Senior Christopher Kwiat says, “I believe that it is a positive change in the way that it is easier but it is still a test and it will still give people anxiety no matter how hard or easy it is.”

The ACT is another standardized test that will follow along in changes. This includes an online option, changes to the questions, and essay portion.

For students taking the new SAT, study resources are available, such as practice videos to aid individualized study plans from College Board partner Khan Academy. This information will be free and unique for students, after a required short diagnostic test.

“Khan Academy will then create a personalized tutoring program that [students] can follow at home on their computer.  It’s all free and focuses in on the particular skills that they need to review,”  says AP Literature teacher Mrs. Kelly Meahl.

The district has said that it will pay for all juniors and seniors to take the March 2016 test. Meahl, along with other teachers, is working to make sure that these plans follow through. For future updates and more information, visit College Board.