College Board announced that they would be removing the option to take SAT subject tests and the optional SAT essay. Although, College Board announced this on January 19, 2021, they will be internationally discontinuing the subject tests in May and June of 2021 and the essay after the June 2021 administration. 

Instead of subject tests, College Board will be using AP classes to see students’ strength in specific subjects. They are doing this to reduce the demands on students and to utilize AP.

“It requiring less of a time commitment and being more integrated with the actual classes will make it easier for students to get into college and be more available to the public,” freshmen Mason Cottam said. “…it may be a bit rough transitioning but overall will benefit students.”

College Board decided to get rid of both the subject tests and the optional essay because they wanted to adapt to the needs of the students, as well as the colleges. They stated that the change makes more relevant opportunities for a student to show their strengths.

“…College Board noticed how things are changing and listened to people complain about the SAT enough times,” junior Kaylee Garcia said. “ …this will encourage students to take more AP [classes] if they aren’t in those classes already.”

Some colleges have already been using AP to see students’ ability and interests in specific subjects and can even see students’ performance in their classes through high school transcripts.

“This will affect college admissions by giving them a more whole picture of the person they are reviewing so they can make a more informed decision,” Cottam said. “[This will make] getting into college more convenient and available.”