In the spring of 2016 the SAT will enact a major redesign that changes many of the well known aspects of the test.

The test will now be scored out of a possible 1600 points with an optional essay rather than out of 2400 points with a required essay. Points will no longer be deducted for incorrect answers. Multiple choice questions will now have four possible answers instead of five.

The College Board claims on their website that the new test will be “more focused and useful than ever,” and will test “the few things that research shows matter most for college readiness and success.”

According to The College Board, test takers will need to apply real world knowledge including American history, science and math.

The math section will focus on three main themes: Problem Solving and Data Analysis, the Heart of Algebra, and Passport to Advanced Math.

There is also a major change to the Writing portion. The changes include the section being based on source information instead of a broad question. The session will be extended to fifty minutes instead of twenty five minutes.

“I’m disappointed that the essay is no longer required because I think that the ability to write well is a real indicator of potential college success in pretty much any subject area,” English SAT prep class teacher Lindsay Coppens said.

Instead of having three different sections for one subject, now there is one longer period which is at least an hour and twenty minutes. With these changes to the test itself, more changes will come to the way students prepare for the test.

“We will need to place an increased focus on algebraic skills, statistics, geometric proofs, and Algebra II topics,” Math SAT prep class teacher Cathleen Carmignani said.

College Board is expected to release practice exams or sample questions for students to use as an aid as the administration of the new test draws closer.