A change for the better
The College Board, the organization that administers the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), announced plans this month to overhaul the standardized test by 2016. In addition to reverting to its old scoring system based on a total of 1,600 points, the revamped college entrance exam will cover more vocabulary words relevant to success in college courses, focus on three areas of mathematics that are important to college work, make the essay portion of the test optional, and direct more assessment to evidence and argument. In general, the new exam is designed to be more curriculum-based to encourage students to make the most of their daily coursework. In addition, the College Board will collaborate with the nonprofit Khan Academy to provide free test preparation for students. In 2008, Harvard College Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid William Fitzsimmons ’67 chaired a commission convened by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) that...