Digital SATs arriving at RHS

By Anthony Ciano, Managing Editor

March 27, 2024

ROCKLAND- During MCAS testing for sophomores, students in grade 11 will have the opportunity to take the SAT test instead of coming to school late.

SATs, or “Scholastic Aptitude Tests”, are designed to measure students' academic capabilities for colleges and universities to look at during the acceptance process.

Both the SAT and AP tests are evolving to strictly digital exams over the next year.

Advanced Placement tests are done in order for students to have the opportunity to gain credits for college.

While the exams move digital, technological problems become a challenge for students and proctors.

College Board recently released a statement on their Twitter stating the importance of bringing a “fully charged test device with the Bluebook application installed, as well as a backup testing device, and a charging cable.”

Rockland High junior Emilee Dunham, who is taking the SAT this week, stated that her biggest worry was that “her computer might crash.” 

Dunham recommends that “students charge their Chromebooks.”

In the past few years, AP tests and SATs have been optionally digital or on paper, however, the College Board wants to begin a movement towards digital and decided to make it required to be digital. Next year, AP teachers and students will not have a choice as all exams will be digital.

As new generations replace the old, they have more experience with using technology in their everyday assignments and might not have as much experience with writing on paper as past generations did. 

Along with technology experience being an advantage of online SAT and AP tests, Chris DeVine, a guidance counselor at Rockland High School, said that SATs being digital also allows for “more students to be able to take the test because it is during a school day,” rather than the weekend.

Rockland High School hosts two SAT testing opportunities, one in the fall and one in the spring. However, if students can’t make these dates, they are forced to travel to other towns.

Senior Mary McPartlin had to take one of her SAT exams in Marshfield.

Junior Anthony Defilippo said that he was thrilled that he “can take the SAT at our school and not at farther schools like Braintree.”

Both exams are important to students and can change futures if taken successfully. 

Mr. Devine said that “guidance recommends students take the SATs at least once because a lot of schools, universities, and colleges are test optional but you don’t know what's going to happen and who will require the scores down the road.”