The basic SAT exam evaluates student’s knowledge in math, reading and writing. For the last two years SAT tests scores and amount of students taking the test have declined in favor of the ACT exam. The downside of testing is the cost of the exam that discourages low income students from taking it.

“Students from higher-income families are the ones most likely to use SAT preparation tools such as classes and tutors, which gives them an advantage in getting into college,” Ohio State University Professor of Sociology Claudia Buchman said.

“It will help students get a better score and have a higher chance of getting into college,” sophomore Julie Swenton said.

Meanwhile, students who take these exams take it many times until they get the high score they desire, which defeats the purpose of the test itself.

The new changes to the test taken by millions will not include hard vocabulary words that the students rarely use in college and their career.  It’ll also make the essay portion of the test optional. Students would also be able to take the test on the computer.

“I’m sort of deviated that the SAT is not in effect my graduating year,” junior Ron Alston said.

The biggest change in the new SAT is there will no longer be a penalty for wrong answers, so now the test takers can guess freely without being penalized.

“I’m so mad because I am struggling this year to study for my SAT’s,” senior Dominic Maier said.

Also, the math portion of the test will not be a wide ranged as it used to be; now it will be limited to a few areas such as Algebra and other material that is essential for college. Calculators will only be allowed in some parts of the test, instead of being allowed throughout the entire test like the current test allows.

“These changes appear potentially helpful and useful.” Director of admissions at the University of Oregon Jim Rawlins said.

There are a lot of pros and cons to the standardized testing’s such as questions asked to tend the favor certain ways of teaching which affect other ways of teaching negatively and will become a disadvantage.

Since some students perform highly with reading and writing questions, and the others will perform by demonstrating knowledge.