For the past 94 years, teenagers have spent a large chunk of their high school career deliriously re-reading SAT prep books until the crack of dawn and mindlessly cramming for this standardized test.

Recently announced, the notorious SAT will receive a makeover by 2016. Out with the old, in with the new, which is actually old – welcome back to the 1600 point scale. This standardized test showcases a student’s ability in the areas of reading, math and writing. However, now writing will be an optional portion, scored separately.

Additional changes include: an alteration to the PSAT in the fall of 2015, and the SAT will follow, no penalty points off for wrong answers, a digital version of the test, and calculators will not be allowed in some portions of the math section.

The test had previously focused on a broad range of non-essential topics and content. But as of now, it has been decided that the test will hone in on in-depth analysis of content and as a result, there will be fewer questions.

“I hope the changes made will work to the best of the students’ advantage,” freshman Cristina Sotomayor said. “Personally, I feel reverting back to the test used before 2005 is going to be extremely beneficial. Some of the changes are still unclear to a few students. Therefore, I hope everything gets cleared up mainly with the class of 2017, because we will be the first class to take the revamped exam.”

Ever since the announcement was made that the “make or break your career” exam is going under the gun, students sit in a flurry. The juniors and seniors have even put in their sides to the argument – whether or not the new version is per say “easier.”

The new approach to the writing portion of the exam also gives colleges a better idea of the student’s creativity.

“It will take out a lot of the trickery. It will be more knowledge based, but no matter what it has no way to relieve students of the importance and the anxiety,” college counselor Mr. Harry Nerenberg said.  “It takes away some of the mystery of the test and gives you a more realistic idea of what they’re looking for.”

In reality, the changes are absolutely positive, due to the fact that the topics frequently complained  about are now being adapted to a more realistic standpoint: to what the student actually knows. All in all, the topics are not as far-fetched from what is taught in the average classroom curriculum.

“I do believe that the top tier universities will handle it the same way they handled it when the writing came on and when the scores were re-calibrated years ago,” Nerenberg said. “They will still be using a scale that will take into consideration your grades, rigor, involvement, and how well you did on the test in comparison to others – that is not changing.”

Furthermore, the SAT changes are a step into the right direction for the school system. These should make it a less complicated road toward success for high school students.