This Changes Everything for Education
If you’re not in the US, you may not know what the SAT is. It’s the Scholastic Assessment Test, a standardised exam used by American colleges and universities for admissions. Over two million students take it every year. Think of it as the US equivalent of the Leaving Cert or A-levels. And preparing for it has always been expensive. Until now.
On 21 January, Google launched free, full-length SAT practice exams inside the Gemini app. No subscription required. You just type “I want to take a practice SAT test” and you’re in.
They announced it at the BETT Conference in London – the world’s biggest education technology event – and partnered with The Princeton Review to make sure the content mirrors what students will actually face on test day. This isn’t a pilot. It’s live now, globally, for anyone with a Google account.
These aren’t random AI-generated questions. They’re structured, full-length exams, vetted by The Princeton Review to match the real SAT format. When you finish, Gemini breaks down where you excelled, where you struggled, explains every incorrect answer, and builds a personalised study plan. It’s on-demand tutoring at scale.
Why This Matters
The obvious win is access. For students who couldn’t afford personalised coaching before, this is a game-changer. But think beyond students.
If AI can diagnose knowledge gaps and deliver personalised learning at scale for exam prep, it can do the same for employee onboarding, compliance training, sales enablement, and leadership development. This is how AI is reshaping learning – not just in schools, but in organisations too.
The AI Education Arms Race
Google isn’t alone. Anthropic launched Claude for Education in April 2025, guiding reasoning instead of just giving answers. OpenAI launched Study Mode in July 2025. Education is now a battleground for AI.
For the tutoring industry, this is disruptive. Anyone charging a premium for what AI can now deliver for free needs to pivot fast. Survivors will focus on strategic coaching, emotional support, and skills AI can’t replicate. The rest risk being priced out.
A Word of Caution
Early users have already flagged errors in Gemini’s SAT content: maths questions outside the syllabus, explanations that sound confident but are wrong. Human oversight still matters.
AI is no longer supplementary in education. It’s becoming the infrastructure. And the same applies to your organisation.
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About the Podcast Host
AI and Communications Specialist | Author | Podcaster | International Speaker
Joanne Sweeney is a recognised leader in digital marketing and digital transformation, specialising in the practical application of AI to enhance communication strategies. The founder of Digital Training Institute, Joanne, empowers leaders and communications professionals to leverage AI responsibly and effectively, ensuring transparency, trust, and tangible results.
She completed the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Programme in AI and Public Policy this summer before launching her fourth book AI Playbook, in September. Joanne has also published two editions of Public Sector Marketing Pro, which were preceded by her first title, Social Media Under Investigation Law Enforcement and the Social Web.
Her books have become go-to resources for governments, public sector and policing agencies, as well as marketing and communications professionals, all navigating the challenges of the changing Internet.
Joanne is the host of the AI SIX Podcast, a daily six-minute podcast that provides actionable insights, expert interviews, and practical advice to help professionals navigate the new world of work.
