The idea of the SAT going online has been a source of debate throughout administrations since the beginning of the exam, but while anxiety regarding the fairness and usefulness of the SAT is high, choosing to go digital is still the better choice.

To begin, the digital SAT is going to be scored on the same 1,600 scale, and now with Covid-19’s pandemic-related concerns beginning to fade, the test will also continue to be proctored in schools. 

Many colleges and universities are now test optional, meaning students don’t have to turn in their SAT and ACT test scores during the admission process. With the less stressful digital test, students can take the SAT with less anxiety piling upon them and can do better without that pressure. 

The shorter two-hour digital SAT is also meant to help students achieve higher scores Shorter reading passages and calculators allowed at all times are two examples of this. What is the point of long passages if they aren’t relevant? What is the point of having a tool (calculators are now an aspect of most cell phones) when students can’t use them? Maybe there isn’t a point. 

Now the shortened reading passages can focus more on subjects that students will read about in college, and allowing calculators helps students know how to use the tool tucked into their pocket. 

Finally, devices will be provided by the College Board to students in need, and the best part about going online is that changes can be made to the actual test with ease. Every student will get a unique test form, so the widespread fear of compromise that once took down entire administrations is in the past. 

Times are changing, so why shouldn’t the SAT change, too?