The Number 2 exhibition hall, which used to be an SAT examination room, was used for a different activity on May 7.(Photo/West China Metropolis Daily)

Crowds of SAT candidates in AsiaWorld Expo in October 2014.(Photo/West China Metropolis Daily)

Asia's first examination using the new SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) was held in Hong Kong on May 7. Compared with the huge crowds of candidates of previous years, AsiaWorld Expo, Hong Kong's biggest SAT examination venue, appeared a little quiet.

Both candidates and staff said that significantly fewer students took part in the examination this year. The AsiaWorld Expo used to open two to three exhibition halls for over 10,000 candidates; this year they only opened one. Zhang, one of the students taking the exam, told a reporter from West China Metropolis Daily, "I would guess that only 2,000 candidates took the exam this time."

Since the exam on May 7 was the first one since the SAT was revamped, many candidates chose not to take the unfamiliar test. Many worried that it would be harder to get a high score since no one was familiar with the new test format. An overseas study expert said that in the next several years, Chinese students will likely receive fewer perfect scores and more lower scores on the SAT. Some SAT training schools will close due to a lack of old test questions to use as study aids. 

Chen Li, the headmaster of one SAT training school, said: "Currently we can only refer to sample questions, exam guidance and the test questions from the March exam in North America. Candidates all want to see how the first exam in Asia turns out. That 'wait and see' attitude is the main cause of the sharp decrease in candidates."