The Scholastic Aptitude Test will be undergoing some changes beginning in 2016, but they may come too late.
High school students planning on taking the college readiness exam can expect to see a different format as well as some different assessment policies.
Last month, the College Board, which administers the popular exam to high school students, announced that the exam would be overhauled in a major way. These will be the first changes to the exam since 2005.
According to an article posted on CNN.com March 6, the College Board said the reasons for changing the test came as a result of changes in the high school curriculum.
The changes that will take place are the adjustment of the grading scale from 2400 back to 1600; students will no longer be penalized for selecting wrong answers and the test will be available in an electronic format for the first time ever.
In Ohio, the majority of post-secondary education institutions such as colleges, universities and technical schools require students to submit an ACT score but not an SAT score.
“Most BGSU applicants take the ACT test, however BGSU also accepts the SAT and uses this in the admissions decision,” said Interim Dean of Admissions Cecilia Castellano.
The University admissions office considers a variety of factors outside the SAT and ACT scores.
“Studies have shown that high school GPA is a better overall predictor, as opposed to test scores, of a students’ academic success in college,” Castellano said.
Jeff Dever, principal of Bowling Green High School, said he thinks the ACT is more prevalent in the Midwest because the company who administers that exam is also from the Midwest.
Dever said although the SAT might be declining in popularity, these college readiness exams won’t be going away any time soon.
“[The tests] are indicators,” Dever said. “Grades and the whole person are a more accurate representation of a student, but [the tests] qualify kids for college.”
Dever explained that colleges outside the area that high school seniors apply to may not be familiar with the high school and its academics. The tests serve as a level ground for students to be evaluated against for admission consideration.
High school junior Rachel Sharp is planning on taking the ACT to apply to Mercy College in Toledo.
“I’m taking the ACT because my counselor recommended it for college.” Sharp said.
Sharp is already taking advantage of some of the test practice materials that are available to students.
In order to compete with the ACT, College Board is also planning to release free study materials for students in 2016 as well.
