On Tuesday, the College Board announced that it will stop offering the optional essay section of the SAT exams and SAT Subject Tests.

As the pandemic impacted the lives of many students and created more barriers to academic success, the College Board has decided to adapt its programs with the new reality. The College Board has stated that they are “reducing demands on students” with this new update.

The “expanded reach of AP and its widespread availability,” the College Board said, “means the SAT Subject Tests are no longer necessary for students to show what they know.”

Those living in the United States have had their registration for SAT Subject Tests automatically canceled and fees refunded. However, international students still have the option to take their registered SAT Subjects Tests if they are registered in the May and June 2021 administrations, as those exams are “used internationally for a wider variety of purposes,” the College Board said.

As for the optional SAT with Essay, all students who are currently registered and planning to register are allowed to take their exams until the June 2021 administration. The SAT with Essay, too, can also be canceled with no change fees for students who decide to cancel the optional Essay section.

In the United States, however, as some schools require the Essay as part of SAT School Day administrations, the Essay will be available after June 2021.

Should I Cancel My Exams?
It is best that students check the websites of the universities they are considering applying to in order to determine whether a university has admission policies regarding SAT Subject Test and the SAT with Essay.

If students have already taken SAT Subject Tests, they are still able to send their scores through the College Board website.

International Students
For international students who once took exams provided by the College Board in order to apply to U.S. universities, they are also able to use their current Subject Test scores for advanced standing or placement at other universities outside the U.S.