The SAT has always been an important aspect of the college admissions process. It is what many colleges take into account when considering a student’s application. Recently, the College Board has released a statement announcing that the optional essay on the SAT along with the various subject tests will now be discontinued by June of 2021. Instead, they will be focusing on creating a new digital format for the SAT. 

Standardized testing has always been a controversial topic, so many people have mixed feelings about this new change. Some believe that removing the subjects tests and optional essay is a great way to put students on equal footing. Elizabeth Heaton, a college advisor states that “For students who aren’t getting great advising, it is nice to see that they haven’t been eliminated from competition just by not having a test that they may not have known about.” With the removal of subject tests and the SAT essay, the College Board would also eliminate some of the economical or accessibility barriers that some students face that could put them at a disadvantage when it comes to college. 

On the other hand, others argue that the removal of these tests would place students at a disadvantage. Catalina Cifuentes, who works to promote college access in east Los Angeles, explains that “Hundreds of my students take the subject tests in Spanish and other languages because it provides them an opportunity to show their understanding of a second language.” By getting rid of these tests, the College Board is limiting the opportunity for students to demonstrate their excellence in a certain subject or writing ability that would make them a competitive college applicant. 

Either way, the College Board has made these changes as a way to adapt to the current situation of the world and the fact that many colleges and universities are no longer considering standardized testing. Besides, students can still demonstrate their knowledge and writing skills through the AP exams that cover topics that many of the SAT subject tests did. In the end, the College Board’s decision is final, and the best thing many students can do is look forward to the newly digitized version of the SAT.