Georgia Kirkendall

All educational aspects for students are being affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is no exception. The SAT, first introduced in 1926, is an exam for high school students that tests their academic ability on college-level skills. It allows both colleges and students to evaluate their strengths and possible college majors, and can provide scholarships. These aspects of the SATs will remain the same for the year 2021, although the exam itself will undergo some alterations to accommodate setbacks as a result of COVID-19. 

The Spring SAT dates are March 13th, May 8th, and June 5th. The approaching date is scheduled to move ahead as planned by the March 13 administration, so it’s important you are prepared for the exam. The major change to be aware of for the SAT is the discontinuation of Subject Tests, which are multiple choice tests given on individual subjects. The College Board, which runs the SATs, reported “The expanded reach of (advanced placement) 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.” The optional SAT Essay has also been completely eliminated, with the argument that students have other chances of conveying their writing ability throughout the exam. 

The College Board has stated that, along with these modifications, it aims to make the SAT as flexible as possible, possibly introducing a digital version for future testing, and increasing the number of testing dates. “The pandemic has highlighted the importance of being innovative and adaptive to what lies ahead. We are committed to making the SAT a more flexible tool, and we are making substantial investments to do so.”