SAT to drop essay requirement and return to top score of 1600 in redesign of admission test

Washington Post - The SAT test will no longer require a timed essay, will dwell less on fancy vocabulary and will return to the familiar 1600-point scale in a major overhaul intended to open the door to higher education for all students. The College Board's president, David Coleman, believes these changes will make it clear that success comes from learning over the years as opposed to cramming or last-minute study tricks.