The following article was reproduced with permission from the AdmissionsConsultants June 2004 Insider Edge newsletter. Click here to view the newsletter in its entirety.

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One of the biggest dilemmas facing many members of the high school class of 2006 is determining the version of the SAT I for which they should prepare. (Other members of this high school class will have to decide if they wish to sit for the 30-minute ACT Writing Test that will become an optional component on February 12, 2005.)

Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Cornell are amongst the Ivy League schools that will be accepting both versions of these tests. Princeton strongly prefers the new SAT but will accept the old version if it is “impossible” for the student to sit for the new SAT. Penn, and Brown have not yet decided on a standardized testing policy. Dartmouth has not made a decision either but is leaning towards only accepting the new tests.

While MIT has stated they will also accept both old and new SAT scores, Duke and the University of California schools have reportedly announced that they will only consider scores from the new SAT and ACT tests beginning with the high school class of 2006.

Consequently, one of the first things students should do is determine to which colleges and universities they plan to apply as different schools are planning to implement different policies. (We expect that 75% to 80% of the American colleges and universities will end up accepting both versions of these tests.)

Our advice to the Class of 2006 is to consider the transitioning of these tests as a unique opportunity that presents you with an attractive option. If you feel you will be ready to sit for the current version of the SAT, then you should take this test. If you are targeting the majority of schools that will be accepting both test versions and you get a very high score, then you are probably set. If you do not do as well as you would like, then you have the option of sitting for the new SAT. (The last test date for the current version of the SAT will be January 22, 2005 and the new version debuts on March 12, 2005.)

If you do decide to sit for the current version of the SAT and you are targeting the more selective schools, then we strongly encourage you to complete the SAT II Writing Exam. Even though the SAT II Writing Exam is not the same as the writing component of the new SAT I, most colleges will accept the results of this SAT II in lieu of this new writing component.

Sara Hernández, a college admissions consultant and former Assistant Director of Admissions at Cornell University, states, "It is especially important that students applying to college in this transitional year for standardized testing remain focused. The college admissions process is an exciting yet stressful period in the lives of many students. However, students can maintain their control over this situation by being prepared for what lies ahead and by staying focused. These actions will help students manage their time and stress better, which in turn will help prevent what should be an incredible experience from becoming an overwhelming one. Although students need to be prepared to meet all admissions requirements, within this process they should not allow any one requirement to let them lose sight of what is really important - finding the colleges that fit their overall academic and personal needs the best so that they may realize their tremendous potential for success!"