A three hour and forty-five minute test every high school student dreads is the SAT. This is a test that has the potential to shape a high school student’s future. So, the stakes are high.

With the previous SAT, students averaged around a 1500-1600 out of a possible 2400. The old SAT consisted of three sections including an essay that was all included into the final score. However, it seemed as if the SAT asked questions that were frequently not covered in many school’s curricula.

As a result, many students opted to take the ACT since it was regarded as an easier exam and one more relevant to what students covered in their core curriculum courses. To many, the ACT asks questions that are straightforward, while the SAT tries to trick the test taker.

The SAT also had a guessing penalty where if you answered a question wrong, you would receive a 1/4 point reduction. The ACT does not have a guessing penalty so for this reason, many students stopped taking the SAT.

With the ACT becoming increasingly more popular, the SAT starting losing business. The loss of money is the rumored reason why changes were being made to the SAT.

The new SAT, which will be administered in March of 2016, will be out of 1600 points instead of the previous 2400. It will also have straightforward questions similar to the ACT.

“I think these changes will benefit everyone who takes the SAT,” College and Career Counselor Shari Chappell said. “It was too hard for the students and that is why I was recommending the ACT.”

So what are the predicted outcomes? According to College Board, the average scores are supposed to increase by 60 points per person. Since the test will be more relevant to what the students are learning, they can now prepare and actually review for the SAT.

The new SAT is supposedly going to raise scores and be less of a burden on the students.  Before refusing to take the SAT, however, consider the changes being made, and see if the test is something that could be beneficial to your future.