With college on everyone’s mind, studying for the SAT is the main focus for high schoolers, especially those in their final year. The real question is, are students studying hard enough? “According to The Washington Post, the average SAT scores over the past decade declined in all three subject areas,” stated Susam Alaimo, a correspondent for mycentraljersey.com. The scores for The Class of 2015 test-takers dropped by 7 points.

College Board recently reported that the average SAT score this year was 1490 out of 2400 possible points. Susan Alaimo noted, “In New Jersey, the average SAT score dropped six points as more than 80 percent of students from the Class of 2015 took the SAT.”

Math Teacher Mrs. Kochik said she was a little surprised by the scores dropping, but understands that the SAT is more challenging than what students normally take at school. SAT English Teacher Mrs. Cannarozzi said she was not that surprised only because you would have to analyze every little aspect as to why scores dropped, like the test and students who took the test.

“Simply doing the same things we have been doing is not going to improve these numbers,” Cyndie Schmeiser, chief of assessment for College Board, said. “This is a call to action to do something different to propel more students to readiness.”

“I don’t think students are reading the way they used to; there are ways around it, and students are using them,” said Mrs. Cannarozzi. She also stated that in order to really improve scores one needs to sit down and read.

Furthermore in SAT news, the College Board has decided that in March 2016, the SAT will officially change. The new SAT will have an optional essay, which will be 50 minutes. Instead of 5 answer choices, it will now be 4 choices. Also, the score will be out of 1600 possible points, and there will be a no calculator section, as well as a few other changes.

When asked if the new SAT will impact scores, Mrs. Kochik’s response was that the new SAT narrows down the content and students will just have to get used to not using a calculator.

SAT Math Teacher Mr. Jasinski hopes that the new SAT will improve scores and not negatively affect them. He advises that students prepare by practicing and studying every so often to improve scores. He urges students to sit down with no distractions and buy an SAT book, hire a tutor or take a class.

Mrs. Kochik’s advice to future test-takers is to simply study for the SAT using old practice questions.