The College Board has recently announced that they are permanently taking out the SAT subject tests, including the optional SAT essay. The difference between the SAT subject tests and the regular SAT exam is that SAT subject tests focus on a specific subject, such as biology, history, math, etc., while SATs test general knowledge and critical reasoning. However, they are still keeping the standard math and reading subject tests. During an interview with a College Board representative, it was stated that on January 19, 2021, students in the U.S will no longer be able to register for the exam. However, international students have until June 5th to register. After that date, all students will not be able to register to take the test anymore as the College Board plans to change the SAT assessment for the class of 2021 and beyond.
The decision to take out the SAT subject test has created many mixed reactions. While most students were relieved that the stress of the exam was off their shoulders, some were disappointed as they had already spent a lot of time studying and preparing. Vivian Dong, a sophomore, used Khan Academy to help her self-study and she stated that it made her feel “somewhat prepared” for the exam.
“I am sort of relieved that the College Board is taking out the SAT exam because it was definitely putting some stress in the back of my mind,” said Junior Tyler Bang. “This new policy removes some of the stress I had and I feel like I can take it easy.”

Some students paid for tutoring or an SAT prep program to assure that they got all the help needed to score well. When asked about this, Bang commented, “Many kids pay for tutoring services that some students cannot afford due to their unfortunate financial circumstances which definitely gives some kids leverage over others. I did prepare for the SAT through a SAT tutoring program called ELITE. When they announced this decision I was a little disappointed, but I was also relieved to find out that I did not have to take the exam.”
It was announced on April 1st, 2020 that the University of California system will be suspending the requirement for SAT scores on college applications for two years and recently extended that suspension until the fall of 2025. The UC system announced that beginning with fall 2025 applications, students will have to take a UC-specific standardized test that they are currently developing.
As helpful as SAT scores are, they do not accurately reflect a student’s academic abilities. There are many factors that can impact students’ test scores including lack of language knowledge, stress, and sleep. “I think that SAT scores can be misleading sometimes. For instance, some people might do really well in school, but get a poor score on the SAT,” said sophomore Vivian Dong. “An SAT score shouldn’t define a person and their academic abilities. just because a person might not do well on a test, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t a good student.”