The SATs are getting a face lift.

The 88 year old college entrance exam, that helps dictate if you are smart enough to go to a certain college, will be different in the Spring of 2016. The exam now consist of absurd vocabulary and that dreaded essay.

No need to stress so much, the vocabulary is going to be easier, and that annoying essay is optional, but if you are a good writer you should take the to time to do it. The plan to change the exam was announced a year ago, the new exam will not be offered until the spring of 2016, good news for you sophomores and freshmen. Maybe there won’t be so much pressure and you won’t have to stress as much, but is it fair to those who already took it

“I think changing the SAT is a good idea because it will lower students stress levels, but we won’t be able to take the new exam, that doesn’t help us.’ said senior Jacqueline Maiorano, who plans on taking the SAT this year.

A test that determines whether or not you are intelligent enough to go to a certain college is stressful, it determines your future. Many find that it isn’t fair to other people who already took the exam and don’t have the choice to choose whether or not they wanted to do an essay or only get 1/4 a point off if they guessed incorrectly, and have the highest score being 1600 pts, (currently 2400 pts).

“I don’t think it is fair to those who already took the test, they had a harder and longer exam, now the test will be shorter and have an optional essay, I’ll still have to take the ‘harder’ SAT,” Maiorano added.

Colleges won’t be making there curriculum easier, by making the exam easier, college will be harder for the students. They’ll have a higher score on an easier exam.

“The changes being made to the SATs will make students not take them as seriously, they”ll get lazy,” said junior Lena Richards, “Colleges aren’t changing their curriculum, so it’ll get harder for them in college.”

Making the exam easier won’t be fair to those who already took the hard exam, in 2016 the test will be somewhat easier, making scores go up higher.

“The kids who already took it had to work so much more for a good score to get into their school of choice, after 2016 more kids are bound to have better scores than now,” she continued.

With the scores students are getting now, will that make them seem not as smart as those taking the test in 2016, which won’t be true, they will just have an easier exam.

“Changing the SATs in a good idea because they are taking hard parts out and making the essay optional, which will help make their scores go up,” said senior Danielle Cannistra.

Many, but not all, universities require SAT scores as part of there admissions process. That’s a lot of pressure already, but changing the test might not reduce stress levels, they’ll probably be the same, it is an exam that determines if you can go to your school of choice.

“I don’t think there will be any more pressure because of the score changes,” explained guidance counselor Mr. Joe Martino, “It is a standardized test, kids will feel pressure because they know it impacts the admission decision.”

Changing the test and making it easier will help get more students to take it. If it isn’t as difficult more students will feel as though they have a chance and feel confident enough to take the exam, if they score high they could get into a great school. More people take the ACT because it seems to be an easier exam, is the SAT going to be more like the ACT? According to NY Times it will be, the SAT will be more like the ACT, because more people seem to be taking the ACT now.

“The SAT is trying to compete and make it less difficult. It is a business and they want more students taking it!,” said Martino.