Despite the Coronavirus showing no signs of slowing down in the US, the College Board announced that they have scrapped plans to offer an at-home SAT. At-home testing requires 3 hours of uninterrupted, high-speed internet access, which can’t be guaranteed for everyone who wants to take the test.
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on higher education. Millions of students have not been able to take college admissions tests due to closure of test sites. College campuses have been shuttered, leading to students completing their studies through online classes and to staff getting cut, salaries frozen, and expansion plans put on hold.
According to College Board CEO, David Coleman, “We know demand is very high and the registration process for students and families under this kind of pressure is extremely stressful. There are more important things than tests right now.” The College Board has asked for flexibility from universities by extending early deadlines. This would give students more time to take tests and submit their scores, which would help relieve some of the pressure the students are feeling.
The College Board was sued by a group of students who took at-home AP tests last month. The suit alleged that the tests were unfair to students trapped at home by the COVID-19 pandemic without adequate computers or internet connections.
The next SAT exam is scheduled for August. The ACT, SAT’s rival, has a test scheduled for June 13.
According to the College Board website, priority registration for the August, September, and October SATs is open for students in the class of 2020 or 2021 who don’t have an SAT score. Anyone who registered for the June SAT or Subject Tests and did not cancel can transfer their registration at this time. As colleges are being more flexible with their testing requirements, it is recommended to check college websites to get the most accurate information on their policies and deadlines.
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