Overhauling the SAT

Guests: Nick Anderson, Bob Schaeffer & Philip Ballinger

The College Board announced this week the controversial Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) will be undergoing an overhaul with changes taking effect in the spring of 2016. These changes include making the essay optional; the top score returning to 1600 from 2400; the vocabulary test using more relevant words; and fees waived for some lower-income students. NICK ANDERSON, higher education reporter for the Washington Post, will explain the changes. Then, longtime SAT critic, BOB SCHAEFFER of FairTest, will make the case the exam is still unfair, particularly to young women, non-traditional college-aged students and non-native English speakers. Finally, we’ll hear from PHILIP BALLINGER, Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment and Undergraduate Admissions at University of Washington, who while a recent Trustee of the College Board, is critical of the use of standardized tests in college enrollment.