In a surprising move, the Illinois State Board of Education has decided to replace the SAT with the ACT as the standardized test for state testing. This decision has sparked a wave of discontent among students, many of whom had already begun their preparation for the SAT. The shift has left students scrambling to adjust their study plans and familiarize themselves with the new format.
The SAT and ACT are standardized tests used for college admissions, they have significant differences in both structure and content. The SAT is known for its emphasis on evidence-based reading and writing, as well as its math sections that include a no-calculator portion. In contrast, the ACT includes a science reasoning section and allows calculators for all math questions. To provide additional information on the ACT format, which is unexplored territory for many students, it has four main sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, plus an optional Writing section. The English section has 75 questions in 45 minutes, focusing on grammar and writing skills. Math has 60 questions in 60 minutes, covering algebra to trigonometry. Reading includes 40 questions in 35 minutes, testing comprehension through passages from various genres. Science also has 40 questions in 35 minutes, based on data representation and scientific analysis. The optional Writing section involves writing an essay in 40 minutes, analyzing perspectives on an issue. Each section assesses different skills to determine college readiness.
This sudden change in test format has created a sense of uncertainty and frustration among students who feel unprepared for the new test format. Kamilah Gamero, junior, expressing her concerns, said “I had already invested so much time and effort into preparing for the SAT. Now, I have to start all over again with the ACT, and it’s really stressful.”
Another junior, Ayaan Ghori, said, “I feel like the switch was more unexpected than anything else.”
Several students have been expressing their worry and feelings of unpreparedness, but on October 17th Sandburg will have its first ever practice ACT to allow students to get a feel for what this new exam is. However, some people have opted for taking the practice SAT on that same date. Those who have been worried about switching to the ACT have taken advantage of this option to take the practice SAT, planning to take the SAT in April, outside of school. This practice SAT will also count as the NMSQT, an exam that allows for students to gain scholarships for their test scores, which has drawn in many participants. The only downside of this option is these students have to make up the practice ACT on a later date, and still have to sit through the ACT in April. This choice has allowed students to feel a bit more at ease with the exam switch, and opens up more opportunities for testers as some have decided to take both the SAT and the ACT now that they are being given the choice.
Beyond the individual stressors, there are broader implications for the student body. Many students feel that the switch could impact their college admissions prospects, as they had tailored their preparation to the SAT’s specific sections and question styles. The sudden switch means that certain strategies students developed for the SAT are irrelevant, and they have to learn new ones for the ACT.
Teachers and counselors are also feeling the pressure of this abrupt change. They now have to revise their guidance and support plans to help students transition smoothly. However, the decision has been defended by the Illinois State Education Board. In Matt Mccorkle’s article “Illinois Switches from SAT to ACT: Why Assessing Science in High School Matters,” he states that the ACT “aligns better with Illinois’s educational goals, especially in the context of the state’s commitment to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.”
Overall, the timing and lack of prior notice have left many students feeling overwhelmed and anxious about their college prospects. As the school community navigates this transition, it remains to be seen how the change will impact students’ performance and college admissions outcomes. For many students, the switch from SAT to ACT remains a significant source of stress and uncertainty, however they have been learning to deal with this switch since the administration has promised to provide additional practice materials and workshops to ease the transition.
A concerned junior from earlier, Ayaan Ghori, said that “despite the uncertainty of it, the switch has started mattering less and less since many colleges are switching to make submitting these tests optional.”
By changing our mentality before going into the test, we, as a community, can start to feel more at ease with the switch. Help can be gained by reaching out to counselors, joining SAT and ACT related clubs and after school study sessions, and by individually researching information about this new test.