It’s about time students learned to think instead of filling in the bubbles.

The College Board might change the Scholastic Aptitude Test by adding an essay. For a test that becomes the first step into college for many high school students, this is a needed addition.

An essay would allow universities to filter their students to different leveled classes instead of weeding out those who failed because they didn’t know basic writing skills.

And although some might suggest that the verbal section of an SAT is a good judge of students’ grasp on the language, it does not sow that a student can write.

The essay also would give universities an understanding of students’ ability to think coherently nd in an organized manner.

Robert Burk, associate director of NIU’s Office of Admissions said, “It doesn’t measure what it’s supposed to.” He’s right.

Multiple-choice questions allow a student the chance the get an answer right through process of elimination. Without an essay on the SAT, universities will be filled with bubbleheads.