After the AP exam confusion/chaos, the College Board announced this week that registration is now open for the Fall 2020 SAT dates.

Key points:

1- Even though a NEW Sept. SAT test date has been added, realize that there is a STRONG possibility these sites may NOT even be open for testing to happen this fall (depending on Covid, will the school districts be willing to have a weekend vendor come in that would require even more cleaning)!?? And, there are fewer test sites.

2- DO not count on SAT Subject Tests being available this fall. There are openings for the October test date, (none for September date) and the site will probably allow you to register for it. SAT will be giving priority to 1st time test takers. And, there will be NO at home option considered for the full SAT.

3- Even the College Board itself is humbly realizing that they cannot be counted on for the Class of 2021 admissions cycle. In light of all these limits, the College Board this week sent out an announcement asking colleges to allow students to submit test scores later than the application deadline, 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.”

What does that mean? It basically is saying that the College Board recognizes that testing is NOT the end all/be all for measuring a student’s potential for success in college. And, colleges should be using a more holistic review for admissions (looking at the students beyond a test score and GPA). Wow, such an epiphany. Yes, that was my sarcasm.

If you follow the explosion of comments on Twitter and other social media from higher ed respected experts yesterday, you saw the call to END testing as part of this 2021 AND FUTURE admissions requirements. Expect this wave of ‘anti-testing’ to become even stronger in the next year, especially since the ACT has also botched their execution and communication of their plans for testing in June and this fall. More to come, and I will bring it to you as soon as I hear more.

Again, act on what is in YOUR control - if testing is not to be counted on, please do NOT take a large part of your summer studying for what may not even happen. Go find ways to differentiate yourself and learn more about what excites you to learn and grow!