Brains were most certainly working hard at Pascack Valley High School on March 5. The Scholastic Assessment Test or Scholastic Aptitude Test, which you may know as the SAT, was being administered to high school students.

The SAT is known as a test of academic skills used for admission into U.S. colleges. It is a way for colleges to be able to judge the thousands of applications they receive every year, and it establishes  a common score that makes it easier to compare students to each other.

Recently, however, the SAT underwent a major change, the first of which since 2005. Some of the most drastic alterations are the move back to the 1600-point scale and the elimination of the guessing penalty, which would penalize students for choosing the wrong answer. This new, updated version of the SAT was first administered on this date in March.

The new test consists of more evidence-based reading and writing, an updated math section, and a newly formatted optional essay.

The new evidence-based reading and writing part of the test is composed of several types of passages that feature subjects such as U.S. and world literature, history, and the sciences. The reading passages can be anywhere from 500-750 words each, and the test-taker is limited to 65 minutes to complete the reading section. The passages about writing and language range from 400-500 words with a time limit of 35 minutes.

In addition to the new language portion of the test, the math category has also made some significant changes. On the new math section of the SAT, there are three areas of concentrated focus: problem solving and data analysis, algebra, and the “Passport to Advanced Math”, which covers everything a student needs to know before entering higher math classes. The math section has a time limit of 80 minutes that is split into a 25 minute no-calculator section, and then a 55 minute calculator section.

The new SAT also modified its essay, which is now optional. In this new format, 50 minutes are given to read, analyze, and respond to a 650-750 word document. Additionally, since the new SAT is scored on a scale of 1600 points, the optional essay is not included in this score, rather being graded separately.

This being said, the SAT, along with many other standardized tests, is extremely stressful for sophomores, juniors, and seniors that are preparing to go to college.

Sara Bousleiman, a junior at PV, said that her stress level is “higher than ever,” around the time of the SATs. Not only does the test affect her school life, but it also impacts her daily life outside of school by putting more stress on her plate than she already has.

When asked for her personal opinion on the SAT in general, Bousleiman responded, “Since preparing for the SAT has become learning how to take the test itself without any learning involved, it is pointless. We are just being taught how to take a test.”

Although this was Bousleiman’s first time taking the SAT she has taken the ACT a total of three times, and plans on taking the SAT again because it allows her more time to take the test, and she finds it less draining.

To prepare for these standardized tests, Bousleiman hired a tutor, and she strongly recommends hiring one for people who are planning to take either standardized test in the near future. Furthermore, she finds doing well on the test very important because she wants to get into a good college.

In conclusion, the SATs as well as the ACTs are not an easy feat to accomplish. Many students find themselves retaking the tests several times to get the score that they think will look best to colleges.