Students using their SAT scores in the future when applying to NIU might find something a little different about the test.

Although no decision has been made by trustees of the College Board, there is a possibility of a format change for the Scholastic Aptitude Test which might include a written essay section of the test.

Other changes might include more problem-solving in the mathematics section of the exam and more emphasis placed on the critical reading portion of the test.

The College Board sponsors the Scholastic Aptitude Test.

“The SAT has been coming under a lot of bombardment lately,” said Robert Burk, associate director of NIU’s Office of Admissions. “It doesn’t measure what it’s supposed to.”

He said the test is set up to measure scholastic aptitude whereas the ACT measures what a student has learned so far in school.

“There’s a real concern with the relative validity of the SAT,” Burk said. The proposed changes are the result of the College Board examining the test and the test should be modified to measure what it is supposed to measure, he said.

About one million high school students submit SAT scores to colleges. However, most students applying to NIU use their ACT scores, Burk said.

NIU requires applicants to submit their ACT scores but not their SAT scores. However, Burk said NIU will accept SAT scores from students who have not taken the ACT or from out-of-state applicants.

The number of applicants who submit SAT scores is “so slight we don’t even notice,” he said.

If a student does submit an SAT score instead of an ACT score, it will be converted to an ACT score at NIU, said Testing Services Director Norman Gilbert.

Gilbert said NIU’s minimum enhanced ACT composite score requirement of 19 would convert to combined math and verbal SAT score of about 650 to 700.

If the College Board does vote to implement the changes, NIU’s score requirements would change only in a manner that would reflect overall changed scores on the SAT, Burk said.

Gilbert said this would be similar to NIU’s score requirement change for the ACT when the test was changed in October 1989. NIU accepted ACT scores of 17 before the test was changed.

Gilbert said there will probably be a transition period of one to two years after the SAT’s format is changed and NIU adjusts to the new scores.