Impact of SAT Essay Discontinuation on Students: What You Need to Know

The SAT, a critical component of the American college admissions process, has been subject to various changes over the years. One of the most recent and notable shifts was discontinuing the SAT Essay in 2021. Understanding this decision and its implications is essential for students preparing for the test and navigating the college admissions process. In this first part, we will take a closer look at the SAT Essay itself, what it entailed, and why it became such a significant part of standardized testing for many years.

The SAT Essay: An Overview

The SAT Essay was introduced as an optional section of the SAT exam in 2005. Its primary purpose was to assess a student’s ability to analyze a written passage and demonstrate their understanding of how the author constructed their argument. The SAT Essay was a 50-minute section taken at the end of the SAT exam, and its inclusion was designed to allow students to showcase their writing and analytical skills. However, while the Essay was considered important by some, it was always a voluntary component of the test and not a mandatory part of the admissions process for most colleges.

The SAT Essay asked students to read a passage, which typically ranged from 650 to 750 words, and then respond to a prompt asking them to analyze how the author of the passage used rhetorical strategies to build their argument. Students were expected to write an essay that explained how the author employed techniques such as evidence, reasoning, and stylistic elements like tone and word choice to persuade their audience. Unlike previous versions of the test, which focused more heavily on content and structure, the SAT Essay specifically aimed to assess a student’s ability to analyze and evaluate the quality of an argument, rather than simply summarize or critique its content.

The SAT Essay was scored separately from the rest of the exam. Students received two scores: one for reading and analysis and one for writing, each ranging from 2 to 8. These scores were then combined to create a composite score for the essay. Although the SAT Essay was optional, many students chose to complete it because it was seen as a valuable opportunity to show off their writing skills to college admissions officers. Some universities, particularly highly competitive ones, require the essay as part of their application process. As a result, for a time, the SAT Essay became a vital part of the college application package for many students across the United States.

The Shifting Role of the SAT Essay

Over the years, the role of the SAT Essay began to evolve as higher education institutions started to reassess the value of standardized testing in general. Many colleges began adopting test-optional policies, which meant that prospective students were no longer required to submit SAT scores as part of their applications. This shift was driven in part by the growing recognition that standardized tests like the SAT may not be an accurate or fair representation of a student’s potential to succeed in college. As a result, some colleges started to place less emphasis on standardized test scores, including the SAT Essay, and instead focused more on other aspects of a student’s application, such as GPA, extracurricular activities, and personal essays.

In addition to the growing trend of test-optional admissions, there was increasing concern about the fairness and accessibility of the SAT Essay. Many students from underprivileged backgrounds faced challenges in preparing for the essay, especially when they lacked access to high-quality test prep resources. These disparities in access to resources, combined with the evolving attitudes toward standardized testing, led to a reevaluation of the SAT Essay’s place in the admissions process.

As the College Board (the organization responsible for the SAT) took these factors into account, it began to rethink the relevance of the SAT Essay. By the time the decision to discontinue the essay was announced in 2021, there was already a noticeable decline in the number of schools that required the SAT Essay for admission. Many students found that taking the SAT Essay was no longer necessary, as colleges and universities increasingly adopted test-optional policies that did not factor the essay into their admissions decisions.

Why Did the SAT Essay Discontinue?

In 2021, the College Board announced the discontinuation of the SAT Essay, citing several key reasons behind this decision. One of the main reasons was the changing needs and preferences of educators and students alike. For years, feedback from teachers, students, and academic experts indicated that the SAT Essay did not provide significant added value in the college admissions process. Despite being designed to assess a student’s analytical and writing skills, the essay was often seen as redundant by many educators. Many felt that other parts of the application, such as the personal statement and high school transcripts, were more indicative of a student’s ability to succeed in college.

Another key factor in the discontinuation of the SAT Essay was the COVID-19 pandemic. The global health crisis forced the cancellation or postponement of many SAT testing dates, making it difficult for students to complete the exam as scheduled. As schools and universities shifted to online and hybrid learning models, the College Board had to reassess the role of standardized testing in this new reality. The pandemic underscored the need for a more flexible and adaptable testing system, and the SAT Essay, as an additional layer of assessment, was viewed as increasingly unnecessary.

The pandemic also brought about a significant increase in the number of colleges and universities adopting test-optional policies. With many students unable to sit for the SAT due to health concerns or logistical challenges, colleges began to place less emphasis on standardized test scores in favor of a more holistic approach to admissions. This shift further reduced the importance of the SAT Essay, which had become a less integral part of the admissions process over time.

Finally, the decision to discontinue the SAT Essay was part of a broader trend within the College Board to streamline the SAT exam. The College Board has made a concerted effort in recent years to make the SAT more focused and efficient, aligning it more closely with the skills that are most important for college success. In doing so, the organization recognized that the SAT Essay no longer served the intended purpose and that students would benefit from a simpler, more focused testing experience.

What Does the Discontinuation Mean for Students?

For the vast majority of students, the discontinuation of the SAT Essay means one less thing to worry about when preparing for the SAT. The removal of the essay section simplifies the testing process, making it easier for students to focus on other aspects of the exam, such as the Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing sections. However, students need to stay informed about whether their specific college or university requires the SAT Essay, as some schools may still have this requirement in place.

Why Was the SAT Essay Discontinued?

The decision to discontinue the SAT Essay was a response to a combination of factors that reflected broader changes in the educational landscape and shifts in college admissions practices. As the College Board evaluated the role of the SAT in the college admissions process, they considered feedback from various stakeholders, including students, teachers, colleges, and universities. In this section, we will delve into the primary reasons behind the discontinuation of the SAT Essay, exploring how the changing needs of students, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growing trend of test-optional admissions policies all contributed to this significant shift in standardized testing.

Changing Needs and Feedback from Stakeholders

One of the key factors influencing the discontinuation of the SAT Essay was the evolving feedback from educators, students, and other stakeholders regarding its value in the college admissions process. Over time, educators began to question the role of the SAT Essay in assessing a student’s preparedness for college-level writing and analysis. Many felt that the essay did not provide additional insights into a student’s abilities that could not already be gleaned from other parts of the application, such as the personal statement, high school grades, and extracurricular activities.

Teachers and college admissions officers also expressed concerns about the reliability and fairness of the SAT Essay as a measure of writing skills. While the essay aimed to assess how students analyze and interpret an argument, it did not account for the broader writing abilities that students would need in college. As students were no longer required to write essays for most other standardized tests or high school courses, the essay section of the SAT seemed increasingly out of place and less useful in evaluating a student’s readiness for higher education.

The SAT Essay was also criticized for its reliance on a rigid structure and limited time frame. Some educators argued that the 50-minute time limit did not provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate the full range of their writing abilities, such as creativity, depth of thought, and complex argumentation. Instead, the test focused on relatively superficial analysis of a single passage, which many felt was an incomplete measure of a student’s writing competence. These critiques, combined with the growing perception that the SAT Essay was not essential for admissions decisions, contributed to the College Board’s decision to eliminate the essay.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic played a pivotal role in shaping the future of standardized testing, and the SAT Essay was no exception. As the global health crisis disrupted education systems worldwide, the College Board faced numerous challenges in administering SAT exams. Testing dates were postponed or canceled, and students were unable to sit for exams as originally scheduled. With schools shifting to online and hybrid learning models, the pandemic forced both students and colleges to reevaluate the role of standardized testing in the college admissions process.

In response to the pandemic, many colleges and universities temporarily adopted test-optional policies, which allowed students to apply without submitting standardized test scores. The decision to adopt these policies was driven by a desire to reduce stress for students during an unprecedented global crisis, as well as to account for the fact that many students could not access testing centers due to lockdowns and health concerns. As more and more colleges embraced test-optional admissions, the emphasis on standardized testing, including the SAT Essay, began to diminish.

The disruption caused by the pandemic also led the College Board to reconsider the value of the SAT Essay. As testing requirements were adjusted and college admissions shifted to a more holistic approach, it became apparent that the SAT Essay no longer played a critical role in evaluating applicants. The challenges of administering a comprehensive standardized test during a global crisis underscored the need for a more flexible and adaptable admissions process. In this context, the SAT Essay, with its added complexity and limited usefulness in the admissions decision, was seen as a redundant and unnecessary component of the exam.

The Rise of Test-Optional Admissions Policies

The rise of test-optional admissions policies was another significant factor behind the decision to discontinue the SAT Essay. Over the past decade, an increasing number of colleges and universities have adopted policies that allow students to submit their applications without standardized test scores. This shift was driven by a growing recognition that standardized tests like the SAT may not accurately reflect a student’s potential for success in college. Instead, many institutions began to prioritize other factors in the admissions process, such as high school GPA, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities.

Test-optional policies gained significant momentum in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the traditional college admissions process. With students unable to take standardized tests due to testing center closures and other logistical challenges, many schools temporarily suspended their testing requirements. As a result, the number of colleges and universities that made standardized testing optional skyrocketed, with many institutions realizing that a more holistic admissions approach could be just as effective, if not more so, in identifying qualified students.

The growing adoption of test-optional policies highlighted the diminishing importance of the SAT Essay in the admissions process. As colleges and universities placed greater emphasis on factors other than test scores, the SAT Essay became less relevant as a measure of a student’s academic abilities. Many colleges had already stopped requiring the SAT Essay for admission, and those that still considered it began to reassess its significance in light of the evolving admissions landscape. The College Board recognized that discontinuing the SAT Essay was a logical step in aligning the SAT with the current trends in college admissions and responding to the changing needs of students and institutions.

The College Board’s Focus on Streamlining the SAT

Another important factor in the decision to eliminate the SAT Essay was the College Board’s ongoing efforts to streamline the SAT exam and focus more directly on the skills that are most essential for success in college. Over the years, the College Board has made several adjustments to the SAT in an attempt to make it more relevant and reflective of the knowledge and abilities that students need for higher education. These changes have included the revision of the math section, the inclusion of evidence-based reading and writing questions, and the removal of less important components, such as the SAT Subject Tests.

By discontinuing the SAT Essay, the College Board aimed to simplify the exam and make it more efficient for students to complete. The 50-minute essay section was often seen as an unnecessary addition to the test, especially as many students were already required to write essays in other parts of their academic careers. The SAT Essay required significant preparation and practice, and the College Board recognized that eliminating this section would allow students to focus more on the core elements of the exam, such as reading comprehension, problem-solving, and mathematical reasoning.

Additionally, the College Board’s decision to remove the SAT Essay was in line with a broader trend in education toward reducing the emphasis on standardized testing. Many experts and educators have long argued that the overreliance on standardized tests like the SAT creates an incomplete and skewed picture of a student’s abilities. By discontinuing the essay, the College Board signaled its commitment to adjusting the SAT to better reflect the skills that truly matter for college success.

Who Might Still Encounter the SAT Essay?

While the discontinuation of the SAT Essay in 2021 marked a significant shift in the college admissions landscape, there are still certain scenarios in which some students may encounter the essay section of the test. Although the general population of SAT test-takers will no longer be required to write the essay, certain groups may still face this task as part of their standardized testing experience. In this section, we will explore who might still encounter the SAT Essay and under what circumstances it might be required. Additionally, we will discuss how students can prepare for the SAT Essay if they fall under these exceptions.

State and District-Specific Requirements

The discontinuation of the SAT Essay applies primarily to students who are taking the SAT as part of the traditional exam schedule. However, certain states and districts may still require students to complete the SAT Essay as part of their educational standards or accountability measures. These requirements are typically tied to the use of the SAT as a state-mandated test for high school juniors or seniors. In some cases, states may have agreements with the College Board to continue administering the full SAT exam, including the Essay, as part of their educational requirements.

For example, some states use the SAT as a statewide test to assess the academic readiness of high school students and ensure they are meeting certain graduation or assessment standards. In these cases, the state may mandate that students take the complete SAT, including the Essay section, to evaluate their skills in writing, analysis, and critical thinking. This is often the case in districts where standardized testing plays a significant role in measuring educational outcomes and ensuring that students are meeting academic benchmarks.

For students in these states or districts, it is important to check with local educational authorities to determine whether they will be required to take the SAT Essay as part of their testing schedule. While most students across the country will no longer need to worry about the essay, students in certain areas may still be expected to complete it as part of their overall SAT experience.

Special Education Accommodations and Exceptions

Another group of students who may encounter the SAT Essay is those who receive special education accommodations. The College Board offers a variety of accommodations for students with documented disabilities, including extended time, extra breaks, or other adjustments to ensure that all students have equal access to the exam. In some cases, students with disabilities may still be required to complete the SAT Essay if their state or district mandates it.

However, students who receive accommodations for their disabilities may have additional support when completing the essay. For example, students with extended time accommodations may have more time to work on the essay, allowing them to approach it with greater ease. The College Board is committed to providing fair testing conditions for all students, including those with special needs, and offers accommodations to ensure that these students can fully demonstrate their academic abilities.

While accommodations can help students manage the SAT Essay, students with disabilities need to consult with their school or testing center to ensure that their accommodations are in place before the test day. They should also confirm whether the essay section will be part of their SAT experience, as requirements for accommodations can vary by state or district.

Students Taking the SAT for College Admission

While the SAT Essay is no longer a requirement for most students applying to college, there are still certain circumstances in which students might encounter the essay as part of the admissions process. Although the SAT Essay is no longer universally required, some highly selective colleges and universities may still request or recommend the essay as part of the application package. These schools may place a higher emphasis on writing and analytical skills, and the SAT Essay may still be used as a way to evaluate a student’s ability to analyze complex texts and construct well-reasoned arguments.

However, it is important to note that the number of colleges requiring the SAT Essay has dwindled significantly in recent years. As the trend toward test-optional admissions policies continues to grow, fewer colleges are emphasizing the SAT Essay as a critical factor in the admissions decision. Many colleges now look at other aspects of a student’s application, such as high school grades, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities, rather than focusing on standardized test performance alone.

For students applying to highly competitive institutions that still require the SAT Essay, it is important to confirm the specific admissions requirements of each school to ensure that they are meeting all of the necessary criteria. Even if the essay is not required, some students may choose to take the SAT Essay voluntarily as a way to strengthen their application and demonstrate their writing abilities.

What Should Students Do If They Are Required to Take the SAT Essay?

For the small group of students who may still encounter the SAT Essay due to state or district requirements, special accommodations, or specific college admissions requirements, it is essential to approach preparation strategically. Although the landscape of standardized testing has shifted, the skills assessed by the SAT Essay remain relevant for students who are still required to complete the section. Here are some tips for students preparing for the SAT Essay in today’s testing environment:

Understand the Prompt and Task: The SAT Essay asks students to analyze how an author constructs an argument, not whether they agree or disagree with the author’s viewpoint. It is important for students to focus on understanding the rhetorical strategies the author uses and to break down how these strategies contribute to the overall argument. This distinction can sometimes be confusing for students, but it is essential to stay focused on analyzing the techniques rather than offering personal opinions.

 

Practice with Real Passages: One of the best ways to prepare for the SAT Essay is to practice writing essays in response to real SAT passages. By regularly reading opinion pieces, editorials, and persuasive essays from reputable sources, students can get a better sense of how authors use evidence, reasoning, and stylistic elements to persuade their audience. Writing practice essays and seeking feedback from teachers or tutors can also help students refine their skills and develop a clear, coherent writing style.

Develop a Strong Writing Strategy: Time management is critical when writing the SAT Essay. With only 50 minutes to complete the task, students need to allocate enough time for reading, planning, writing, and revising their essay. Developing a structured approach, such as outlining the essay before writing, can help students stay organized and focused under time constraints.

Seek Support and Resources: Many students find it helpful to use study guides, sample essays, and online resources to improve their SAT Essay skills. There are many free and paid resources available that can help students better understand what the College Board is looking for in a high-scoring essay. Working with a tutor or teacher to review and critique practice essays can also be valuable for improving writing skills.

What Does the Discontinuation of the SAT Essay Mean for Students?

The discontinuation of the SAT Essay represents a significant shift in the landscape of standardized testing and college admissions. While the removal of the essay section simplifies the testing experience for most students, it also requires them to rethink how they can best showcase their writing and analytical skills in the absence of this once-important component. In this section, we will explore the implications of this change for students, including how to navigate the evolving college admissions process, how to find alternative ways to demonstrate writing and critical thinking abilities, and why staying informed is key to making the best decisions for their future.

A Simplified Testing Experience

For the vast majority of students, the discontinuation of the SAT Essay means one less component to prepare for, thus simplifying the overall SAT experience. Preparing for standardized tests can be stressful, and every additional section, such as the SAT Essay, added another layer of complexity to the preparation process. Now that the essay is no longer required, students can focus their efforts on the core sections of the SAT: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math. This can allow them to allocate their time and energy more effectively, concentrating on improving their performance in these areas that are still a critical part of the exam.

In addition to simplifying test prep, the removal of the essay also alleviates some of the pressure that students may have felt when it came to crafting an effective analytical essay under time constraints. For many students, this part of the SAT was particularly challenging because it required both speed and accuracy in analyzing complex texts. By eliminating this requirement, students can now focus on honing the skills necessary to perform well in the other sections of the SAT, without the added pressure of preparing for an essay they no longer need to complete.

Impact on College Admissions

With the SAT Essay no longer a required component of the SAT, students may be wondering how this change affects their college admissions process. Although the essay section was once considered a key part of the application for many competitive colleges, the trend in recent years has shifted towards a more holistic approach to admissions. In a holistic review, colleges consider a wide range of factors, including academic performance, extracurricular activities, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and, in some cases, standardized test scores. As such, the discontinuation of the SAT Essay is unlikely to have a dramatic effect on the overall college admissions landscape for most students.

Many colleges have already adopted test-optional policies, which allow students to decide whether they want to submit their SAT or ACT scores as part of their application. With the removal of the essay, likely, even more institutions will further de-emphasize the importance of standardized tests altogether. For students applying to test-optional schools, the absence of the SAT Essay means that their applications will be evaluated based on their academic record, personal statement, and other relevant materials. This may be an advantage for some students, especially those who find the essay format particularly difficult or time-consuming.

However, students applying to highly selective schools or programs that still require SAT scores may wonder how the removal of the essay will affect their chances. While the SAT Essay may not be required for the majority of applicants, some competitive institutions may still value the essay as a way to gauge writing and critical thinking abilities. In these cases, students may want to ensure that other aspects of their application, such as their statement or writing samples, effectively showcase their skills in writing and analysis.

How Students Can Showcase Their Writing and Analytical Skills

While the SAT Essay is no longer a required element of the exam, there are still plenty of ways for students to demonstrate their writing and analytical abilities. The college application process offers many opportunities for students to showcase their writing skills, including through their essays, supplemental essays, and writing samples. Here are a few ways students can effectively demonstrate their writing and analytical strengths:

1. Personal Statement and Supplemental Essays: For many colleges, the personal statement is the most significant opportunity to demonstrate writing and critical thinking abilities. A well-written personal statement can provide insight into a student’s character, experiences, and ability to reflect on and analyze personal challenges. In addition to the personal statement, many colleges also require supplemental essays, which may ask students to respond to specific prompts related to their academic interests, career goals, or campus involvement. These essays offer another chance to showcase writing proficiency and the ability to present well-structured arguments. 
2. Extracurricular Activities and Achievements: In addition to essays, students can highlight their writing and analytical abilities through extracurricular activities. For example, students who have participated in debate clubs, literary magazines, or other writing-intensive clubs may be able to provide samples of their work or reference specific projects that demonstrate their skills. In addition, leadership roles in activities that require critical thinking, such as organizing community service events or leading academic clubs, can help students demonstrate their problem-solving and analytical thinking capabilities. 
3. Advanced Coursework: Colleges often look for students who challenge themselves academically, and taking advanced courses in subjects like English, history, or social sciences can provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their writing and analytical skills. High grades in these courses, especially in writing-intensive subjects, can serve as strong indicators of a student’s ability to succeed in college-level coursework. For students seeking to further strengthen their writing abilities, enrolling in Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses that require extensive writing and critical analysis can be an excellent way to build a robust academic profile. 
4. Writing Competitions and Internships: Participation in writing competitions, journalism internships, or research projects can also help students demonstrate their writing and analytical skills. Winning or receiving recognition in writing competitions can add value to an application by showing the student’s dedication and talent in writing. Similarly, internships or volunteer work that involve writing tasks, research, or analysis can serve as concrete examples of the student’s ability to perform well in writing-intensive environments. 
5. Letters of Recommendation: Teachers or mentors who can speak to a student’s writing and analytical abilities may provide strong letters of recommendation. These letters can highlight the student’s performance in writing assignments, essays, or projects that demonstrate their ability to think critically and communicate effectively. 

Staying Informed and Adaptable

One of the most important things for students to do in the wake of the SAT Essay’s discontinuation is to stay informed about the evolving college admissions landscape. Since the landscape is constantly shifting, particularly in response to changes brought on by the pandemic and the increasing adoption of test-optional policies, students must be proactive in understanding the requirements of the colleges and universities to which they plan to apply. This means checking the admissions websites of their target schools to ensure they are clear on what is required and how best to prepare.

Students should also remain adaptable as new trends and policies emerge. College admissions is a dynamic process, and what is true today may change in the years to come. By keeping an open mind and adapting to changes as they arise, students can navigate the admissions process with confidence and make well-informed decisions about their education and future.

Conclusion

The discontinuation of the SAT Essay marks a significant shift in standardized testing, but for most students, it is unlikely to have a major impact on their college admissions process. While the essay was once seen as an important part of the SAT, it is no longer required for the vast majority of students. This change simplifies the testing process and reduces the pressure on students who may have found the essay to be a difficult or unnecessary part of the exam.

For students applying to college, the removal of the SAT Essay means that other aspects of their application, such as personal essays, extracurricular activities, and advanced coursework, will take on greater significance. As students prepare for the evolving college admissions landscape, it is essential to stay informed, adaptable, and proactive in showcasing their skills and abilities in a variety of ways. By focusing on their strengths and maintaining a strong academic profile, students can successfully navigate the admissions process and position themselves for success in higher education.