College Board Enlists Khan Academy To Help Level SAT Playing Field

The College Board has announced a new SAT that makes the essay component which was just added in 2005 optional. In a news release The College Board said that the writing test "has not contributed significantly to the overall predictive power of the exam."

The board has also forged a new relationship with the free online tutorial service Khan Academy, in an attempt to create a level playing field for all students taking the SAT, regardless of income level.

Over the years, the SAT has gained the reputation of being a test that caters to students who can afford expensive prep courses and private tutors to teach them the tricks of exam.

Khan Academy is working with the College Board to create online tutorials so all students will have access to world class test prep.

Sal Khan, founder and executive director of Khan Academy, talks to Here & Now's Robin Young about his new partnership with the College Board.

"What I want to stress is, this isn't going to be just like 'Oh, well if you can't afford a few thousand dollars, here's something for you,'" Khan says. "We are working with them — and they've never worked with anyone like this — to actually make the very best tools. And for us, that is interactive software that adapts to the student where they are."