College Board Launches 90% Discount for Low-Income Indian Students in SAT Registration

SAT Scores Gaining Recognition at Top Indian Institutions Amid Global Shift

The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is a standardized test taken by students who wish to pursue higher education abroad. While Indian universities typically rely on a variety of entrance exams, such as JEE, CUET, and NEET, many private institutions, including Ahmedabad University, Ashoka University, Bennett University, BITS Pilani, FLAME University, NMIMS, and Krea University, have begun accepting SAT scores from both resident and non-resident Indians, as well as international applicants. Rushi Sheth, Vice President (International) at the College Board, emphasized the importance of creating more opportunities for Indian students in higher education, rather than focusing solely on identifying top students for export to the US. The College Board recently organized the India Global Higher Education Alliance Forum 2024 in New Delhi, which aimed at ensuring smooth transitions for students into higher education in Indian institutions.

In addition to this, the not-for-profit organization launched the India Scholars program to support low-income students in India. This program offers a 90% discount on SAT registration fees and scholarships at participating institutions for eligible students. Income-eligible students in grades 11 and 12, with a family income below INR 8,00,000, are eligible for the full discount, while those with annual incomes between INR 8,00,000 and INR 15,00,000 can receive a 50% discount. Furthermore, students with an SAT score of 1300 or higher may qualify for a merit-cum-need scholarship at participating universities.

The College Board plans to expand the India Scholars Program by 2025, increasing both the number of scholarships and the financial support available. In addition, the organization aims to complement India's education landscape by connecting with schools and raising awareness about the opportunities available through the program.
In 2023, the College Board introduced the digital SAT, providing students with more flexibility. Although prospective students are still required to take the SAT at a testing site, they can now use personal laptops, tablets, school-issued devices, or borrowed devices provided by the College Board. The digital SAT consists of two sections, reading, writing, and math, and is shorter than the previous version, reducing the exam duration from three hours to two. However, concerns remain about whether testing centers in certain locations will have the necessary technology and how broader test security issues will be addressed.

The digital SAT is designed to work in areas with limited internet access. Students only need a Wi-Fi connection twice, once to unlock the test and again to submit their answers. However, the testing center must have some form of Wi-Fi or cellular connection to launch the exam. The exam’s digital format was a response to security concerns, particularly regarding the theft of paper copies of assessments, which had been a significant threat throughout the College Board’s 120-year history. As the world has become more digitally connected, transmitting information in real-time has become much easier, prompting the shift to digital assessments.

This transition has allowed the College Board to expand access in various locations. Nearly 2 million students took the SAT in 2024, up from 1.9 million in 2023. Participation in the SAT is growing and nearing pre-pandemic levels, with students enjoying the experience of using their own devices. Major institutions, including MIT, Dartmouth, Brown, Yale, and the University of Texas at Austin, have reinstated the SAT as part of their first-year application process. The predictive value of SAT scores in assessing first-year college performance and providing admissions officers with additional context for evaluating student potential has been a key reason for the test's reintroduction. With the test now shorter, the College Board has also increased its free resources for students.

Finally, registration for the 2025 AP exams is now open on the College Board website, with the deadline set for November 15. The acceptance of AP scores for college credit is gaining traction in India, with Universal AI University in Karjat, Mumbai, becoming the first Indian institution to formally recognize AP credits.  The College Board is evolving its AP programs to help students align their academic pursuits with personal interests. For instance, the AP Seminar allows students to engage in college-level discussions on topics of personal interest, such as climate change, fashion trends, and economic disparity. In conclusion, the College Board's initiatives, including the expanded India Scholars Program and the introduction of the digital SAT, are significantly enhancing access to higher education for Indian students.

Editor's Note:

As educational opportunities expand globally, the College Board’s recent initiatives to provide better access to higher education for Indian students are remarkable. The launch of programs like the India Scholars Program, alongside the digital SAT, is important to support the diverse needs of students in an increasingly interconnected world.

Skoobuzz appreciates the initiative as it is a major step towards inclusive and affordable education for students in India and abroad.