With society and technology always advancing, our school's education systems are constantly morphing to keep up with the changes. Education has begun to move away from memorization and the simple regurgitation of data and has tried to develop student's abilities to problem solve and think critically.

Keeping with these standards and expectations, the College Entrance Examination Board has revamped their already dreaded SAT exam.

As a reporter investigating these new changes and how students feel about them, my editors thought it was only fair that I be placed in a room for three hours and 45 minutes to take the same exam I would be writing about.

As I opened the College Board's homepage and created an account, I had no worries. How hard could a high school exam be?

I quickly found a link that led me to a practice exam, and I printed out the 45-page test that came complete with bubble sheet and directions. When I picked the bulky package up from the printer, I got a glimpse at what seemed like unending charts, graphs and long-winded essays. I was suddenly hit with a level of anxiety I had not felt since high school.

I tried to convince myself that the test was no big deal; it was not like I needed a perfect score in order to keep my job, but despite my logical thought process, I put off taking the test as long as I could. But it couldn't be avoided forever.

Armed with only a pencil, calculator and a pile of scrap paper, I was ushered into an office and seated at a table, given my directions and then sent to work.

At first glance, the essay was a little overwhelming. I had to write an essay about "survival of the fittest" and was required to use examples from class readings and lessons. Seeing that I last took the SAT in 1999, it took me a few minutes to get going.

All of the English and writing sections I finished with time to spare, so I went back and checked over my answers. When it came to the math sections, however, I could not finish a signal one. Thirty minutes felt like five as I scribbled math equations down on paper.

It was all over quick enough and though I left the office feeling exhausted, I felt that I had done a decent job.

Maybe it was because I had just spent nearly four hours staring at numbers and words printed in tiny font, but when it came time to enter my answers into the college board's computer system, I seemed to struggle more with the buttons on my keyboard than I had on the actual test.

Though I was hoping it would take a day or so to get my scores back, the computer filed my answers and sent me a reply instantly. Overall, I had received a 1680, compared with the 1250 I received in high school. With the way the old exam was formatted it was impossible to receive a 1680, but students earning a 1600 are no longer the best of the best; if you want to be on top, the score to shoot for now is a 2400.

I did well on the English sections, receiving a 610 out of 800 on the critical reading section and a 680 out of 800 on the writing section. I got a perfect six on the essay. Not bad for someone who has been out of high school for more than five years. But when it came to the math, I completely bombed out, receiving only 390 out of 800.

I do not envy the group of high school juniors and seniors that will sit down to take the new exam March 12. While the essay was not so bad, the test is filled with upper level math problems that only practice can help you master. And start using those SAT vocabulary words in every day conversations - you're going to need them.

Staff writer Ashley Lipsky can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or e-mail ashley.lipsky@lee.net