The College Board announcements due to Covid are unsurprising. First, the June SAT and SAT Subject Tests have been cancelled. To make that up, the College Boardwill add an SAT in September. So, from August there will be monthly SAT administrations. The known dates are August 29, October 3, November 7, and December 5. For updates, go to collegeboard.org.
Online SAT and ACT
The College Board is going ahead with AP testing this May. As there is a smaller number of students taking their AP tests compared to the SAT, they are experimenting with online testing. If this is similar to what colleges and universities are doing, it will likely look like this:
-They will lock down your laptop. This means they will have the ability to allow only one browser open at a time.
-Next, they will install software to track you while taking your test. The most important aspect is taking over your webcam. They want to track your eyes along with your hands. This is to ensure you’re not using outside material such as another computer, a calculator, or a phone.
Concerns About Your Online SAT
Now, there are a lot of security concerns about this. Many are worried about the software. Will it be removable after the testing? How invasive is it?
Then there are concerns about equality in testing. What about those with limited broadband or slower processors? Will they be able to scroll through questions and pages as quickly? Will the College Board upload the test to your computer the night before so you can unlock it the next morning?
This only gives you a glimpse into the issues. Likely, though, whatever they decide on will be the final word.
The College Board is basically using their upcoming AP tests this May as a testing ground for online SAT testing. They will learn from those tests and apply it to upcoming remote (read online) SAT dates.
Students can get early access to register for August, September, and October if they’re:
Already registered for June
In the high school class of 2021 and don’t have SAT scores
Other Responses to SAT Changes
Some schools have waived their SAT (or ACT) requirements as a result of Covid-19. Also, some colleges are making the SAT optional for the class of 2020. As most of you seniors have already applied, the changes for the class of 2020 won’t affect most of you. It’s the changes for the class of 2021 and beyond that are most likely to impact juniors and other underclassmen.
Likely, the Coronavirus will be with us in the US through the late summer. Please keep this in mind while preparing your college applications. Colleges are more than aware of the changes to the SAT and will likely start to change their application process along with their deadlines. If you visit the College Board site, you will keep informed of the changes from their end. Colleges and Universities are likely communicating with one another behind the scenes so that most changes to the application process will be uniform.
Good luck and keep yourself informed. Contact me if you have any questions.
Below are the links separately:
Colleges Waiving their SAT / ACT requirements
Colleges Waiving Testing Requirements for 2020 Admissions Only
