How Did the College Board Popularize the SAT in 2017? A Tale of Redesigns, Scandals, and (Mostly) Good Intentions
Remember 2017? The year avocado toast became a national obsession, Taylor Swift shook off her bad blood, and the world was collectively terrified of fidget spinners? Well, amidst all the pop culture chaos, the College Board was busy whipping up its own storm – a storm of SAT revisions, designed to make the test more relevant to the modern student (or so they claimed).
Now, let’s rewind a bit. The SAT, for those who aren’t familiar with the acronym (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t at least heard of it), is a standardized test that’s been around since 1926. Think of it as the high school version of the Hunger Games, except instead of fighting for survival, students fight for a chance at a decent college education.
The College Board, the organization behind the SAT, has always had a love-hate relationship with the test. They want it to be the ultimate measure of college readiness, yet they also know it’s the source of endless anxiety, stress, and existential dread for millions of teenagers.
So, in 2017, the College Board decided to shake things up. They introduced a redesigned SAT, with a brand new 1600-point scale (bye bye, 2400!) and a focus on “evidence-based reading and writing” and “mathematics” (translation: more reading passages and more math problems!).
Why the change? In the words of Priscilla Rodriguez, the College Board’s senior vice president of college readiness assessments, the new format was designed to be more user-friendly.
Think of it like this: the old SAT was like a clunky, outdated computer game, and the new SAT was like a sleek, modern smartphone – more intuitive, more accessible, and (hopefully) more fun.
But let’s be real: the College Board wasn’t just trying to make the SAT prettier. They were trying to reclaim its relevance.
The SAT had been facing increasing criticism in the years leading up to 2017. Critics argued that the test was outdated, biased, and didn’t accurately reflect what students needed to know to succeed in college. The ACT, a rival college admissions exam, was gaining popularity, and the College Board needed to do something to stay relevant.
So, they redesigned the SAT, trying to make it more “college-ready” and less “stress-inducing.” They did this by:
- Simplifying the Math: The new SAT math section was designed to be more concise and less intimidating, emphasizing concepts that are actually useful in college.
- Shortening the Reading Passages: The reading passages were shorter, focusing on more accessible and relevant topics.
- Adding More Time Per Question: This was a welcomed change for many students, who felt rushed in the old SAT format.
- Introducing the Khan Academy Partnership: The College Board partnered with Khan Academy to offer free online resources and practice tests, making the SAT more accessible to students from all backgrounds.
These changes were met with mixed reviews. Some students and educators praised the new SAT, calling it more relevant and fairer. Others argued that the changes weren’t enough, and the test still favored students from privileged backgrounds.
So, did the College Board successfully popularize the SAT in 2017?
That depends on how you define “popularize.”
The new SAT saw a surge in test-takers in 2017, with a record number of students taking the revised test. This suggests that the College Board’s efforts did have some impact.
However, the SAT’s popularity has been declining in recent years, with more and more colleges becoming test-optional. This suggests that the College Board’s efforts weren’t enough to completely reverse the SAT’s waning popularity.
And let’s not forget the scandals. In 2019, the College Board was embroiled in a major cheating scandal, with students paying others to take the SAT for them. This incident further tarnished the SAT’s reputation and raised questions about its integrity.
So, where does that leave us? The 2017 SAT redesign was a bold attempt by the College Board to reassert its dominance in the college admissions landscape. They made changes to the test to make it more relevant and accessible, but the jury is still out on whether these changes were enough to save the SAT from the ever-growing tides of test-optional admissions and the relentless criticisms of its reliability and fairness.
The SAT remains a controversial topic, and the debate about its purpose and effectiveness continues to rage on. However, one thing is certain: the College Board is constantly evolving and adapting, trying to keep the SAT relevant in a rapidly changing world. Whether they succeed or not remains to be seen.
The SAT: A Love-Hate Relationship
The SAT is a bit like that friend you love to hate. You know they can be a pain in the neck, but you can’t deny that they’re a part of your life. For millions of college-bound students, the SAT is a rite of passage, a necessary evil, a source of endless stress and sleepless nights.
But the SAT isn’t just a test. It’s a symbol. It represents the pressure to succeed, the anxiety of the college application process, the relentless pursuit of academic achievement. It’s a reminder that the world is a competitive place, and that every little advantage counts.
The College Board, the organization behind the SAT, is often criticized for its role in perpetuating this culture of competition. Critics argue that the SAT is a flawed test that perpetuates inequality, favoring students from privileged backgrounds. And they’re not entirely wrong.
The SAT: A Flawed System?
The SAT is a standardized test, which means it’s designed to be administered and scored in the same way for all students. This is supposed to ensure fairness and objectivity, but critics argue that standardized tests are inherently flawed.
The SAT is often accused of being culturally biased, favoring students who have been exposed to certain types of knowledge and learning experiences. It’s also argued that the test doesn’t accurately reflect a student’s potential or their ability to succeed in college.
There’s also the issue of test anxiety. The SAT is a high-stakes test, and the pressure to perform can be overwhelming for many students. This can lead to poor performance, even for students who are academically capable.
The SAT: A Necessary Evil?
Despite its flaws, the SAT remains a significant factor in the college admissions process. Many colleges use SAT scores as a way to compare applicants and to predict their success in college.
While the SAT is not the only factor considered by colleges, it can be a significant factor, especially for students who are applying to selective colleges. And many students believe that a high SAT score is essential for getting into their dream school.
This creates a vicious cycle. Students feel pressured to take the SAT, study for it, and score well. They may even spend thousands of dollars on tutors and prep courses, just to try to get a good score.
The Future of the SAT?
The future of the SAT is uncertain. More and more colleges are becoming test-optional, meaning that students are no longer required to submit their SAT scores. This trend is likely to continue, as more colleges recognize the limitations of the SAT.
However, the SAT is not going away anytime soon. It’s still a widely used test, and it’s likely to remain a significant factor in the college admissions process for many years to come.
So, what can students do? If you’re planning to apply to college, it’s important to research the policies of the colleges you’re interested in. Some colleges may require the SAT, while others may be test-optional.
If you’re taking the SAT, it’s important to prepare well. There are many resources available to help you study, including practice tests, online courses, and tutors. You can also find tips and strategies for taking the SAT online.
The SAT: A Conversation Starter
The SAT is a controversial topic, and there are strong opinions on both sides of the debate. Some people believe that the SAT is a valuable tool for measuring college readiness, while others believe that it’s an outdated and unfair test.
No matter what your opinion is, the SAT is a conversation starter. It’s a topic that can spark discussion about education, inequality, and the future of college admissions. So, the next time you hear someone mention the SAT, don’t be afraid to share your thoughts. And remember, there’s no right or wrong answer. It’s all about starting a conversation.
If you’re still scratching your head about the SAT, or if you’re just looking for more information about how the College Board popularized the SAT in 2017, don’t hesitate to connect with us at the JobLoving community! We’re here to help you navigate the confusing world of college admissions and make sure you have all the information you need to make informed decisions about your future.