On 19 January 2021 College Board said it would stop offering SAT Subject Tests and the optional SAT essay, describing the move as a way to reduce demands on students.
Key facts
- Announced 19 January 2021
- Subject Tests Ended in US; last international sittings May and June 2021
- Essay Last offered June 2021 (except some state school-day tests)
- Refunds Automatic for US Subject Test registrations
Subject Tests
In the US the Subject Tests ended immediately and existing registrations were cancelled with an automatic refund. Because the tests were more widely used abroad, international students were given two final sittings in May and June 2021. International students who no longer wanted to take them could cancel for a full refund through Customer Service. Colleges were left to decide whether and how to use Subject Test scores already earned.
The optional essay
The SAT with Essay remained available up to the June 2021 test date. After that it was offered only in states that require it for SAT School Day accountability testing. Students already registered for the essay that spring could drop it at any time free of charge.
The digital SAT
The same announcement said College Board was investing in a simpler, digitally delivered SAT. It confirmed the details a year later, in January 2022.
What this means
There is no longer a way to sit an SAT Subject Test or a weekend SAT essay. If a university asks for subject evidence, it will usually point to AP exams, A levels or other school qualifications instead. Old Subject Test and essay scores may still appear on your record, but check whether your target universities consider them. Essay scores earned before July 2021 still show on College Board score reports.