Major Adjustment! The 2025 SAT computer-based test will be added in September, and the US college application landscape will change.
Recently, the College Board officially announced a major adjustment for the 2025 application season: it will add a SAT computer-based test worldwide. This change will have a profound impact on students who aspire to study in the United States.
Starting in the 2025-26 academic year, the number of computer-based SAT exams will increase from seven to eight per year, with the additional test date being September 13, 2025. Scores are expected to be released approximately two weeks after the exam and provided to test-takers and universities by October 1. This arrangement provides students with more testing opportunities, especially those planning to apply early to U.S. undergraduate programs, providing a valuable opportunity to improve their scores before the application deadline.
From the perspective of the exams themselves, the August and October exams coincide with the end of summer study and the beginning of application submission, making them the most suitable and necessary times for students to take the exams. Consequently, the number of candidates often reaches the highest level of the year. The addition of a new exam session between these two dates is intended to alleviate the pressure on exam seats in August and October, while also providing candidates with more flexible exam options and more testing opportunities.
Application data shows that many overseas universities, including Harvard, Stanford, and MIT, have officially reinstated the requirement for standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) this year. Eleven of the top 30 universities have already reinstated the test-required requirement. Not only has SAT weighting increased year by year, but the number of standardized test scores submitted during the application process has also reached a record high: as of November 1st, 475,504 applicants had submitted standardized test scores, a 91,300 increase, or nearly 40,000, compared to last year. The addition of additional test sessions aligns with this trend toward mandatory standardized test scores.
For students preparing to apply for US undergraduate programs in 2025, the increase in computer-based SAT testing presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Candidates can choose their test date more flexibly based on their preparation progress. For example, if they didn't achieve ideal scores in March, May, or June of the first half of the year, they can choose to conduct targeted review in August and then prepare for the September or October exams, still having the opportunity to submit satisfactory scores before the early application deadline. However, candidates are advised to plan early and strive to obtain SAT scores as soon as possible, avoiding delays beyond October, as delaying the exam may increase uncertainty.
Registration for the SAT computer-based test for the 2025-2026 academic year will officially open in the spring of 2025. Students can plan and prepare in advance based on the latest test schedule. Candidates are advised to closely monitor the College Board's website for details such as registration dates and test regulations to ensure smooth registration. Furthermore, by making appropriate preparation plans and taking advantage of the newly added testing opportunities, students can achieve excellent SAT scores and enhance their US study abroad applications.
