I write as a private tutor, test preparation specialist and private college guidance counselor. It’s good that someone has written about this development in SAT testing for Maine, specifically that Maine juniors are no longer required to take the SAT.For those who wish to take it, however, the state of Maine offers free registration for a test sitting during school hours on April 15. High schools must opt in; not all have done so.

This represents a big change. Strategic planning is critical for juniors, especially those who plan to be away on spring trips or those who will take AP tests in early May.

But I am troubled about the line in a press release from Maine Prep in Brunswick which says that it would be “even better” if students took the SAT on April 15 and again on the regularly scheduled date of May 2. The tests are only 16 days apart; scores from April might not even have arrived so there would be no opportunity to identify areas to improve before the May date. After sitting for the test on April 15, students should not pay for and take the SAT again in May. They would waste both money and time.

Marjory Russakoff

Southwest Harbor