Originally standing for Scholastic Aptitude Test, the SAT is a standardized test that is widely used across the U.S., mostly for college admissions and financial aid. Created by Carl Campbell Brigham, a psychology professor at Princeton University, the test was first administered in 1926 to 8,040 students, consisting of 315 questions over 97 minutes.
While the SAT has evolved over the years, it has maintained two subjects: math and literacy, in total having 98 questions over a two hour and 14 minute span with a ten minute break in between both subjects.
Since its debut in the early 20th century, the SAT was a good way to measure a student’s intellectual performance, but in the 21st century, it is no longer an efficient way to measure academic performances.
The pressure to perform well on the test can be rough on students who excel in subjects that aren’t on the test. For example, if a student wants to enter into the chemistry field, what is the point of taking the SAT if there aren’t any questions about chemistry or its related subjects?
For most students, the SAT is just another test, but for others, it could be a challenge.
If a student who is not good in math or literacy wants to go to college to pursue their career, they will have a low probability of finding a college or scholarship that would accept them because of their low SAT score. Although they may be good at their chosen career skills, they may have a hard time with the given questions, leading to them possibly give up their passion and find a different career.
One of the main issues is that the SAT only offers two subjects that students are tested on. In order to determine a student’s academic abilities, the test shouldn’t only focus on math and literacy but on a variety of subjects.
According to the National Education Association, “standardized tests are inaccurate, inequitable and often ineffective.”
Furthermore, the SAT also brings a lot of stress and anxiety to those who are taking the assessment. The overwhelming stress can lead to students feeling unprepared to take the test and unfocused, leading them to have problems while taking it.
From the beginning, the SAT was created only to determine the mental ability of students, and as years passed, it still only continues to do the same thing. If schools are going to continue hosting the SAT, then the test should focus on a broader approach that better reflects skills and talents that students have.
