CDE says in a press conference, even though Colorado is transitioning to SAT exams, this year’s Juniors will take the ACT. Sophomores and the on going classes will take the SAT.

“This is a relief to our community and hopefully our Department of Education sticks with this decision,” said Quintana.

CDE made this decision after many school districts, students and parents were angry. Cherry Creek School District’s superintendent Harry C. Bull sent out a letter informing parents, teachers, and students on the exam changes. Bull made it clear that in the letter he was against this decision, and he told students and parents to email the State Department of Education on why this is unsuitable at the moment.

“Students have spent hundreds and thousands [of dollars] on their ACT books/tutors. By changing the ACT to SAT all that money is going down the drain. Students took PACT not PSAT, and that is gonna drain students mentally to even think about studying for the SAT,” said Quintana.

Late last year Colorado Department of Education announced on Dec. 23, 2015, Colorado high school juniors will be required to take the SAT college-entrance exam instead of the ACT starting this spring. The SAT and PSAT will be given each year for the next five years, with the exact dates to be determined, CDE said in a press conference.

“This was very unexpected and sudden, this seems like a problem because we had not prepared our juniors this year for SAT,” Smoky Hill’s counselor Craig Quintana said.