What’s the Deal with the College Board? A Young Guy’s Guide to SATs, APs, and the Whole Shebang!
By: A Fellow Teen Trying to Figure Stuff Out
Okay, listen up. If you’re in high school, you’ve probably heard adults tossing around the words College Board like it’s some secret club. Teachers talk about it. Your older siblings groan about it. Even your guidance counselor might whisper the words with a mix of respect and frustration.
But what even IS the College Board? Why do they have so much power over our lives? And what’s the deal with all those tests?
Don’t worry, bro—I’ve got your back. Let’s break this down.
So… What Is the College Board, Anyway?
First things first: The College Board is a non-profit organization that basically runs a bunch of the big tests and programs tied to getting into college in the U.S.
It was founded way back in 1900 (yeah, before the internet… or TV… or even bubble gum). A group of colleges and schools wanted to make the process of getting into college more organized. Instead of each college making up its own crazy test, they wanted one standard way to measure students from all over the country.
And boom—that’s how the College Board came to life.
Nowadays, they run stuff like:
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SAT
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AP (Advanced Placement) Program
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PSAT/NMSQT
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College Search tools
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And a bunch of other things you might not have heard of (yet).
Basically, if it’s connected to college admissions, the College Board’s fingerprints are probably on it somewhere.
The SAT: The Test Everyone Loves to Hate
Let’s talk SAT. You’ve definitely heard of this one.
The SAT is a standardized test that many colleges look at when deciding who to admit. (Although lots of colleges are now going test-optional—more on that later.)
It’s split into two main sections:
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Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW)
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Math
There used to be an Essay section, but they killed it off in 2021 (RIP, SAT Essay).
Each section scores you between 200 and 800 points, for a total maximum score of 1600.
People stress out about the SAT because colleges often use it to compare students. But remember: it’s just one part of your application. Your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and even your vibe as a human being all matter too.
A few things to know:
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Digital SAT: Yup, the SAT is going digital. Instead of paper-and-pencil bubbling, you’ll be taking it on a computer.
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Shorter Test: The new SAT is shorter (about 2 hours instead of 3) and adapts to your answers, kind of like a video game that gets harder or easier depending on how you’re doing.
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No Penalty for Wrong Answers: So don’t leave anything blank!
The PSAT: The SAT’s Little Brother
The PSAT stands for Preliminary SAT. You usually take it in 10th or 11th grade.
Why bother?
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It’s practice for the SAT.
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It can qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship if you score super high.
But remember—it doesn’t get sent to colleges. So it’s lower stakes than the real SAT.
AP Exams: College Classes in High School
AP stands for Advanced Placement. The College Board runs the whole AP program, which lets you take college-level classes while you’re still in high school.
If you’re into a subject—like Biology, World History, or Calculus—you can take the AP class, and then take the AP Exam in May. The exams are scored from 1 to 5:
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5 = Extremely well qualified
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4 = Well qualified
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3 = Qualified
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2 = Possibly qualified
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1 = No recommendation
Some colleges will give you credit or let you skip intro classes if you get a good AP score. That can save you money and time in college.
Plus, AP classes look good on your transcript. Colleges like to see you challenging yourself.
But heads up: AP classes can be tough. Don’t overload your schedule if you’re already stressed out.
College Board Isn’t Just About Tests
Here’s what people sometimes forget: the College Board does more than just torture us with tests.
They also offer:
✅ BigFuture: A website where you can research colleges, scholarships, and career paths. Kinda like a one-stop shop for planning your future.
✅ College Search Tools: You can filter colleges by size, location, majors, and more.
✅ Financial Aid Resources: They help you learn about paying for college and applying for aid.
✅ Scholarship Listings: Tons of options if you’re trying to cut down on those future college bills.
So while it might seem like they’re just the “SAT people,” they actually have some helpful stuff too.
Wait… Do You Even Have to Take the SAT?
Excellent question, my dude.
Over the last few years, tons of colleges have gone test-optional. That means you don’t have to submit SAT or ACT scores if you don’t want to.
Why did this happen?
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COVID shut down a lot of test centers in 2020 and 2021.
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People started questioning if tests were fair to everyone.
Now, some schools are permanently test-optional. Others are “test-blind,” meaning they won’t even look at your scores.
BUT some colleges, especially the super competitive ones, still like to see scores—or they might even require them. So check each college’s website before deciding to skip the SAT altogether.
Bottom line: The SAT isn’t mandatory everywhere anymore, but it can still help your application stand out. Especially if your GPA isn’t as high as you’d like.
The College Board Gets a Lot of Criticism
Let’s be real—lots of people criticize the College Board. Here’s why:
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Cost: Tests and score reports can get expensive.
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Stress: Tests like the SAT cause major anxiety for some students.
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Equity: People argue that standardized tests favor students with more resources (like tutoring).
The College Board says it’s trying to make tests more accessible and fair. For example, fee waivers exist for students who can’t afford test costs. And the new digital SAT is shorter and supposedly less stressful.
But the debate rages on.
Should You Stress About All This?
Nah, don’t panic. Seriously.
Yes, the College Board runs a lot of important stuff. But it doesn’t define you.
Tests like the SAT or AP Exams are just tools. They can help you show colleges how prepared you are—but they’re not the only thing that matters. Colleges also care about:
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Your GPA
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Your extracurriculars (sports, music, clubs, work)
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Your essays
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Who you are as a person
So don’t let the College Board totally stress you out. Do your best, but keep it in perspective.
Final Thoughts
Love them or hate them, the College Board is a huge part of American high school life. From the SAT to AP classes, they’re a big deal when it comes to college planning.
But remember: you’ve got options. And no one test or organization gets to decide your whole future. You’re more than your scores.
So go forth, study smart, and don’t let the College Board keep you up at night. You’ve got this!
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