When the College Board announced that a new version of the SAT would take the place of the old one, the matter was immediately deemed controversial. The SATs are a staple for most high schoolers, as is the stress, disappointment, and happiness that comes with it. On January 23rd, many students from Hingham High School will take this test. The new and (supposedly) improved SAT has an optional essay rather than a mandatory one, and the material is based on what students learn in school, rather than hundreds of memorized terms learned in their own free time.

Although the new SAT is meant to lessen pressures, students don’t exactly know what to study. Emma Burleigh, a junior taking the test on Saturday, explained, “I feel like they should give us more opportunities to take the old SAT, as well as the new one.” Although members of College Board are confident with their decision to change the test, some students see the value in the old SAT as well, rather than completely jumping into something new. I spoke to John Joyce, another junior taking the SAT, about how the test is impacting his school life. He said, “The timing isn’t great with midyears right around the corner, but the preparation I’ve done over the past few months has equally prepared me for both.” Although John is stressed by these tests, he also sees the value in the SAT’s usage of curriculum taught in schools.

The new test may have flaws and controversial aspects, but it does appear a bit less stressful for students taking it. The SAT for most is a necessary step toward college. This causes many feelings toward the test, both negative and positive, but I am sure that the students of Hingham High School will come out successful in whatever form that may be.