SAT Preparation: Cracking the Code | Community Health

SAT preparation is a high-stakes, multi-billion dollar industry that has been growing since the 1950s, with the first SAT test administered on June 23, 1926, to over 8,000 students. Today, the SAT is taken by over 2 million students annually, with the average score being around 1050 out of 1600. The test is divided into two main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and Math, with each section scored on a scale of 200-800. Top test prep companies like Kaplan and Magoosh offer a range of study materials and courses, with prices ranging from $300 to over $1,000. However, the effectiveness of these programs is debated, with some studies suggesting that they only provide a marginal score increase. As the College Board, the organization behind the SAT, continues to evolve the test, students and educators are left wondering what the future of standardized testing holds, with some arguing that it will become more adaptive and personalized, while others predict a shift towards more holistic admissions processes.