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High school guidance counselors are usually busy this time of year sending out transcripts, helping parents understand financial aid award letters, and meeting with their high school seniors about the latest round of SAT scores.

For many of these students, the news about their SAT score might be disheartening considering some colleges are reporting double-digit drops in the average SAT scores of applicants this year. Scores have dropped despite similar performance in class rank, college-prep coursework and other recommended credentials.

“We need to have confidence in the test that we’re using,” says Stephen Farmer, director of admissions at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill in a USA Today article.

The test scores reported are primarily from the new version of the SAT test, which has already been the subject of controversy after thousands of scores were underreported following the October test date last year. James Montoya, a College Board vice president, believes the explanation for the drop in test scores is less glamorous than that.

“Decrease in repeat test-taking may account for some of the average score decline,” he said. This is likely given the increase in price for the test to $41.50 from $24. Another possible reason for the decrease in SAT scores is fatigue.

Brad MacGowan, a college counselor at Newton North High School in Newtonville, Mass., says typical students get three hours and 45 minutes to complete three parts of the new test while the old test allowed three hours to complete two sections.

“You cannot expect students to perform at the same level over the extended length of time,” he says.

Read the entire story about the double-digit drop in SAT test scores on USA Today.