- 1926: The SAT is first introduced as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, a pencil-and-paper test designed to measure critical thinking and reasoning skills.
- 1942: The SAT is divided into two sections: Verbal and Mathematical.
- 1969: The SAT is revised to include a Writing section, making it a three-part test.
- 1994: The SAT is revised again, with the Math section changing from multiple-choice only to a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended questions.
- 1995: The SAT is renamed the SAT I: Reasoning Test, and a new test, the SAT II: Subject Tests, is introduced to measure achievement in specific subjects.
- 2005: The SAT I is revised again, with the Math section changing to a calculator-based section and the Writing section changing to an essay format.
- 2016: The SAT is redesigned again, with the following changes:
- The Math section is no longer calculator-based, and the Writing section is no longer an essay format.
- The test is now administered entirely on computers, and the score range changes from 600-2400 to 400-1600.
- 2023: The SAT changes in a few ways, as follows:
- The SAT Writing and Language section no longer includes an optional essay.
- Calculators are now permitted for the entire test.
- The SAT subject tests are being discontinued.
- For the first time, students can take advantage of a digital SAT prep platform known as Khan Academy (KA) Official SAT Practice.
Overall, the SAT has evolved over time to reflect changes in educational standards and the skills necessary for success in college and beyond.