According to the College Board Newsroom, nearly 2 million people took the SAT in 2023, a sign that the race to get into top colleges is as competitive as ever.

Despite many universities becoming test-optional in recent years, the SAT is still a substantial = part of the college application process. Demand for taking the SAT has been increasing as college admissions competition increases, especially limited testing locations.

Verde applauds Palo Alto High School for hosting the SAT so students have equal opportunities to take the test, and encourages other high schools to follow Paly’s lead.

According to an article from U.S. News, despite 80% of U.S. universities being test-optional or test-blind, more and more elite universities are reinstating the SAT as part of their admissions requirements. This includes schools such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dartmouth University and Yale University.

Elite universities like these, along with public schools in states like Texas, Florida, and Georgia that require SAT scores can prompt students to feel like it is essential to take the SAT until they achieve a good enough score to submit to one of these universities. Many colleges also consider the highest scores from each section across multiple test dates through a process called superscoring. This is another incentive for students to take multiple tests.

Increasing demand for this test has made it difficult to find a seat at a testing center and has prompted some people to travel far to take the SAT.

Menlo School senior Lily Nye flew to Los Angeles to take the SAT because there were no seats close by.

“The Bay Area is so competitive, so everyone is always trying to have a spot, … because everyone wants to have an SAT
score to submit,” Nye said.

This issue, however, is remedied when schools host SAT sessions, providing students with the chance to take the SAT without having to travel.

According to assistant principal LaDonna Butler, when Paly hosts the SAT, it offers the test for free for any students on the free and reduced lunch plans. The more tests schools are able to host, the more equal the opportunities can be made for all.

“We are trying to as much as possible provide opportunities and access to all students,” Butler said. “Regardless of what your background … or your financial disposition is.”