Covid 19 SAT updates
College Board
As schools continue to navigate uncertainties due to the coronavirus, the top priorities for College Board are the health and safety of students and educators. There is limited testing capacity in certain areas due to public health restrictions and high demand. While the College Board cannot directly control test center capacity and availability, we're working to ensure as many students as possible are able to test safely. Test centers make individual decisions about whether to administer the SAT, and they may close before the administration. We are asking test centers to report closures to the College Board as soon as possible in order to help ensure students are informed and to reduce stress and uncertainty ahead of test day. We also recommend students check directly with the test center, including the test center's website, on the morning of the test.
Weekend SAT
Upcoming SAT Weekend Administrations, Including Health and Safety Measures
College Board is providing weekend SAT or SAT Subject Test administrations every month through the end of the calendar year, beginning in August. This includes a new SAT administration on September 26, and the previously scheduled tests on August 29, October 3, November 7 (domestic SAT, international Subject Tests), and December 5. We'll also add a test date in January 2021 if there is demand for it. Please note that as the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic continues to evolve, we will continue to monitor the situation and will let you know if circumstances change closer to the test dates.
Local schools and test centers make individual decisions about whether to administer the SAT. All weekend test centers must adhere to local public health guidelines and follow College Board requirements:
All students and staff to wear a mask or protective face covering during an SAT administration
Students must be seated at least six feet apart during testing
Students must confirm a series of statements (more below) prior to entering the test center or testing room
If students don't feel well on test day, please stay home. You will be able to transfer your registration to another test date at no charge through September. If you would rather cancel your registration, you will be issued a full refund. Contact Customer Service between test day and the next business day (Monday, 5 p.m. ET) to make this request.
SAT Test Center Covid-19 Safety Screening
When students arrive on test day, and before letting them into a test center, testing staff will administer a short survey before letting students into a test center to determine if a student should be sent home due to sickness. Testing staff will administer this survey verbally to all students, and deny entry to any student who doesn't confirm all the statements below or refuses to answer them.
In the past 14 days, I have not come into close contact (within 6 feet) with someone who has tested positive for covid-19 test or is presumed to have covid-19.
I do not have covid-19 or have reason to believe I have covid-19. Symptoms of covid-19 include cough, fever, chills, muscle pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell.
To my knowledge, I am not violating any travel restrictions or quarantining requirements.
I agree to wear a mask the entire time I'm at this test center and follow instructions from test center staff, otherwise I will be dismissed.
We have taken measures to help create a safe testing environment; however, it isn't possible to entirely remove the risk of covid-19 exposure. By entering the testing room, you're accepting that risk.
Test Center Availability and Capacity
This year, many schools and test centers will have reduced capacity because of social distancing guidelines, and they may encounter unexpected closures. Because of public health restrictions and high demand, there is limited seating capacity for students testing in certain areas. While College Board cannot directly control capacity and test center availability, we are working to ensure that as many students as possible are able to test safely.
If you can't find a test center when you first try to register, try again by logging back into My SAT, selecting the registration you started, and then follow the required steps. On the Select Your Test Center page, you'll see any new seats added in your area.
If you can't find a nearby test center with availability on your preferred test date, be sure to check other dates.
Please know that colleges understand that there are limited opportunities for students to take a college entrance exam due to covid. Most colleges are not requiring a test score for the upcoming admissions cycle. While almost all still accept scores, most are rightfully being flexible for students who submit scores later or who did not have a chance to test more than once. You should check the college’s website for the most updated information on their application requirements.
A Note About the August SAT
The late registration fee has been waived for the August 29 administration.
Fall 2020 SAT Dates
August 29
September 26
October 3
November 7
December 5
Potential Test Center Closures
Schools and test centers continue to discuss the extent to which they'll be open this fall, and we know educators will be facing uncertainties as they prepare to administer the SAT.
The August 29 administration is scheduled to proceed as planned. We are checking with test centers to confirm they will be open and we encourage test centers to report closures as early as possible so we can help ensure students are informed ahead of test day. Important: Test centers that decide they need to close or reduce the number of students who can test due to social distancing restrictions should contact College Board as soon as possible so we can help ensure students are informed ahead of test day. The last day to confirm you will administer the August SAT is August 17.
If a test center decides to close, students will receive direct notification from College Board, though there may be a delay between the test center closing and the email notification. We also recommend students check directly with the test center, including the test center’s website, on the morning of the test.
College Admissions Information
The College Board has asked colleges to extend deadlines for receiving test scores and to equally consider students for admission who are unable to take the test due to covid-19. We are asking member colleges to provide flexibility to students in three ways:
Accepting scores as late as possible in their process, especially by extending score deadlines for early action and early decision to take some pressure off students and give them more time to test and send their scores.
Equally considering students for admission who are unable to take the test due to covid-19 as those who submitted scores. (The College Board will keep colleges up to date on testing availability).
Recognizing that students who do submit scores may not have been able to test more than once. (e.g., taking into account that students who tested as high school juniors but who could not as seniors would have likely achieved score gains).
And it's more important than ever to pay close attention to the context in which all students live and learn as they make admissions decisions.
Resources and Support
To help students keep their college readiness skills sharp when many schools are closed or delayed in opening, College Board and Khan Academy® will continue to provide free resources online, including full-length practice tests and personalized learning tools.
Together with our member schools and colleges, we will be flexible, thoughtful, and collaborative in exploring ways to continue to support student learning and provide opportunities to test during this challenging time.
Our focus will remain on student safety and ensuring students have the tools they need and the opportunities to succeed on their path to college.
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ARTICLES
How The Coronavirus Has Upended College Admissions
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