SE Illinois News

The Illinois State Board of Education has made a significant decision regarding the standardized tests that high school students in the state will be taking next year. With the current contract with the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) set to expire in June, a new direction has been chosen. The board has awarded the American College Testing (ACT) a $53 million contract for a three-year commitment, signaling a shift in testing requirements.

According to the announcement, students in Illinois will have the option to continue taking the SAT, but they will now be responsible for covering the costs themselves. This change comes as the state moves towards a new era of standardized testing, potentially influenced by the SAT's plans to transition to a digital format. As one source speculates, "One possible reason for the state’s decision to change exams may be due to plans for the SAT to become a digital test."

The shift to a digital SAT is expected to bring about changes in the testing experience for students. The digital version of the SAT will adapt question difficulty based on previous answers, and the exam itself has been shortened from a three-hour to a two-hour duration. This evolution in testing methodology could play a role in the state's preference for the ACT moving forward.

While the SAT has been the primary standardized test in Illinois since 2016, it is important to note that the ACT held this position for 15 years prior. This upcoming change marks a significant transition in the educational assessment landscape for students in the state.