<p>Actually, that is exactly what WILL happen. One big difference between the ACT & SAT is that the ACT is much more time sensitive. ACT math problems are relatively straightforward, but one must really hustle to finish. Of course, ACT math also includes 4 trig problems, whereas SAT-M only includes a handful of Alg II problems.</p>
<p>However, solving the SAT math problems requires reasoning skills; strong reasoning skills gives one plenty of time to go back and recheck answers. The absence of reasoning ability means that, regardless of how long one works at it, solving ‘if a train leaves Chicago heading east…’ is virtually impossible. So in that sense, time is not so important on the SAT vs. the ACT.</p>
<p>But yes, there is no way that CB will allow the rev SAT means to vary much from ~500, so if the indiviudal problems becomes “easier”, there will be more of them – increasing the time sensitivity of that test.</p>
<p>I don’t think you can assume that the SAT test is going to get easier. In fact it maybe harder for some students. They aren’t going to allow calculators for some of the math sections. Think about it how many kids don’t use calculators in math? A number of students may get tripped up by that… </p>
<p>If I recall, they didn’t allow calculators when I took the SAT. But whatever calculations might have been required were pretty simple. I don’t remember anyone complaining about the manual calculations even though by that time, everyone owned calculators. The math section will be easier because they are limiting the subjects, which means that kids who actually have to learn the material for the SAT will have less to study.</p>
<p>However, in the situation where the incumbent default test is the SAT reasoning or the ACT, a college which requires the SAT subject tests (only, or in addition to the SAT reasoning) will be an outlier, and may lose applications from otherwise desired students due to students not wanting to bother with additional standardized tests. So many colleges do not want to switch away from the incumbent default test even if they prefer some other test. Only a handful of highly desired colleges can get away with requiring additional tests without losing too much application volume.</p>
<p>Requiring additional standardized tests that are not the default ones (SAT reasoning or ACT) may be more likely to reduce applications from non-high SES students, or those from non-high-%-college-bound high schools.</p>
<p>Also, a student taking the SAT reasoning and/or ACT knows that such test results can be used at almost all selective colleges, while SAT subject tests are only useful for a few colleges. So if a college, particularly not one in the top tier of desirability, adds SAT subject tests as application requirements, it may find fewer applications as potential applicants decide not to bother with taking the SAT subject tests for just that one college when all other colleges being applied to need just the SAT reasoning or ACT.</p>
<p>Even among the SAT reasoning and ACT, there are still many students who take just one of them, even though taking both may be advantageous. The ACT’s successful lobbying to get its test as part of high school testing in many states likely contributes to its increasing popularity relative to the SAT – some students may not bother with an additional college entrance test when they already have ACT scores.</p>
<p>" So if a college, particularly not one in the top tier of desirability, adds SAT subject tests as application requirements, it may find fewer applications as potential applicants decide not to bother with taking the SAT subject tests for just that one college when all other colleges being applied to need just the SAT reasoning or ACT."</p>
<p>I’d look at this as a way of measuring interest, which is probably more valid than, say a campus visit. After all, campus visits are constrained by irrelevancies such as transportation costs and school schedules, and some students may simply not have an opportunity to visit until after they have been accepted.</p>
<p>Schools could “recommend” them, and applicants could choose whether or not to submit.</p>