Facing complaints the SAT has grown too long, the College Board will consider allowing students to take the three parts of the newly expanded college entrance exam in separate sittings.
The statement comes as at least 200 high school counselors and a handful of college admissions officers around the country have signed a letter to the College Board, which owns the exam, expressing concerns the test’s length of three hours and 45 minutes has become a burden on students.
“I think the SATs have become, for some kids, a real marathon that can be highly stressful,” said signatory Bob Sweeney, college counselor at Mamaroneck High School in New York. For students with special needs who are granted extra time, he noted, the exam can stretch five or six hours.
College Board spokeswoman Chiara Coletti said her organization was already aware through survey research that many felt the test was too long, and was examining whether it could be broken up. She said it would also consider other options, such as more breaks.
Still, she said the College Board would have to examine whether the change would unfairly benefit wealthier students who could afford to take the test more often.
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