Required standardized testing is already starting to be phased out by some colleges, but it will be a while before this is the new normal.

On January 20, 2021, the College Board announced some changes to the SAT. The SAT will no longer have an optional essay section and all subject tests will be erased.

Some big universities, like Indiana’s own Butler University, have decided that standardized testing will be “optional” for admission. Many high school students missed out on the opportunity to take the SAT last year. However, this may be only part of the reason why schools are beginning to take away SAT requirements.

Whether standardized testing should be a requirement or not is a longstanding debate. Some argue that a single test does not determine a student’s intelligence. Others say that it has been a requirement for ages, so we shouldn’t break tradition. Regardless, these new SAT changes will hopefully provide a smoother transition into college for juniors and seniors.