Love it or hate it, the SAT has been used for decades. While some high-education institutions are backing away from the test, it remains a critical part of the college application process.

That’s why so many high school students go to study classes at places like the Sylvan Learning Center.

"I’m learning a lot of tricks of the trade, basically, so I’m able to more articulately understand what I’m learning," says 16-year-old Hedda Flynn.

Flynn will be taking the current version of the SAT, but students below ninth grade can expect to see one with changes.

The newer iteration will be on the computer, you can use a calculator throughout the entirety of the math portion and it will be one hour shorter.

"Right now, on the reading passages, there’s typically nine to 11 questions per passage. Now there will be one question per passage," says Jennifer Bloss, the director of education at Sylvan Learning Center.

Bloss says the changes were made in hope to better reflect how and what students are currently learning. For example, the test is moving virtual because in-classroom instruction largely has a computer component.

But with that comes a new formula for how SAT instructors can help teens succeed. The Sylvan Learning Center is working on a new system to teach its prep classes.

"We are responding to it by developing a program geared towards it. This will pilot in January of 2024 with the counterpart PSAT piloting in the fall of 2023," says Boss.

But no matter which version you’re taking, some of the tricks will remain the same and, if you don’t like your score, there’s always room for improvement.

"I would say don’t stress about it because there’s always more chances to take it again," says Flynn.