SAT Testing ditches scantrons and number 2 pencils

Students can say goodbye to number 2 pencils and hello to the new digital age. College Admissions Exams are making a major change.

The College Board announced that the SAT, one of the Nation’s most commonly used College-Entrance Exams is going digital. Brandon Dewease The Director of Student Engagement at Meridian Community college explains what changes may occur.

"So we've seen a transition recently. The decision-makers have moved the sat from a written format to a digital format. What we're told is that the test is a little briefer, and this digital version of the test is supposed to increase accessibility," said Dewease.

Although the test will be digital it will still have some of the same factors such as it will still be in a proctored setting and will continue to be scored on a 1600 scale.

Dewease stated, "Students are more accustomed to immediate gratification. This is a step in that direction. The digital format of this test now is going to increase the accessibility of the test, and it should increase the ease of use for students if what we're doing in education is trying to prepare students for the real world. My real-world includes a keyboard a phone and a screen. That's the way that I interact with so many of my colleagues. And this is a step that direction by the SAT."

By being digital schools will no longer have to worry about shipping or receiving tests the virtual format will mean students will get test scores back in days rather than weeks.

"It also touches on the immediacy of the way that we're able to receive results as far as institutions of higher learning. But in brief, we're making this change in the way that they offer the test and the way they report the scoring from the test," said Dewease.

Lowell Martin The Director of the Student Success Center at Meridian Community College gave his opinion on the testing change.

"I can say I think that would probably make it more convenient for people, and probably you would get your results back a lot faster, which I can see would help," stated Martin.

The digital changes for the sat testing will begin in 2024 for u.s students and 2023 for international students.