SAT or ACT Test Date Canceled? Here’s A Silver Lining

The coronavirus-related closures of standardized test centers offer an important opportunity

SAT or ACT Test Date Canceled? Canceled standardized test dates can be a huge source of frustration for our juniors, as they’ve spent months preparing. But the uncertain future of the SAT and ACT has a silver lining for many students across the nation.

In the beginning of the pandemic, the ACT Inc. and The College Board canceled the administration of the ACT and SAT, resulting in hundreds of thousands of high school juniors (and seniors looking to improve their score) struggling to reschedule their test date. In effort to help, both the SAT and ACT have added Saturday test dates and testing opportunities in schools this fall, but the few test centers that remain open are often full because they must operate at decreased capacity to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Due to these difficulties in taking the exam, a record number of colleges and universities have either suspended the standardized test requirement or made it optional. Notably, the University of California system has suspended the standardized test requirement (ACT/SAT) for all California freshman applicants until fall 2024. Other colleges around the country have also changed admission requirements, for just this year or for the next two to three years. In general, more colleges and universities are adjusting their application process to be test optional or test blind.

Test Optional vs. Test Blind Policy

Test optional means that it is not required that students submit their SAT or ACT scores as a part of their application. Test blind means that the admissions office will not look at SAT or ACT scores, even if the student submits them. Most colleges are test optional.

Check if a college or university is test optional here. In the second column of the table, TO represents test optional and TF represents test free, an alternate term for test-blind.

As of October 9th, 2020 there are 65 campuses with test blind, test free, or score free admissions policies for fall 2021, or beyond. Find a list of those institutions here.

What This Means for Students

This change in policy has significant implications for students, at every point of the college application process. Right now, juniors and seniors may have a difficult time registering to take the SAT or ACT and many students might decide not to test at all. Ultimately, these new policies make it possible for students to apply to college and have access to selective colleges without the limitation of standardized testing.

Students who would have never considered certain colleges and universities, because of their standardized test scores, now have the opportunity to apply. Currently, students can show their strength and competitiveness as an applicant with their GPA, personal essay, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and more.

Research has long demonstrated that a student’s test scores are not indicative of their potential to be successful in college. Some students are simply not great test-takers, so the option to skip the SAT or ACT is ideal.

This policy change is a huge step toward equity in the college admissions process – one that is long overdue considering the disparities that exist for many college applicants. Standardized tests often favor wealthier students whose families can afford to pay for tutoring and prep classes. While standardized tests can also be a way for students from low-income families to show their strengths, the cost to prepare for and take the test can be a barrier.

The Best Decision for Your Child

We recognize both the limitations of standardized testing and the opportunities it can unlock, knowing that students with low GPAs can use SAT or ACT scores to make their college application more competitive and students with high SAT or ACT scores can secure merit-based scholarships.

Many colleges will use test scores for placement purposes, even if not for admissions purposes. Also, SAT or ACT scores might be required by the NCAA for student athletes. We recommend registering for the SAT or ACT if your college of choice recommends or requires it for admission.

Whether your student decides to take the test, The Blue Heart Foundation remains committed to preparing them for success.

Standardized Testing Tips & Resources

Explore free online resources from the College Board and Khan Academy®, including full-length practice tests and personalized learning tools. The ACT also launched a website featuring free digital learning resources for students.

The ACT has increased their fee waiver allotment for low income students from 2 per student to 4 per student. Students will still need to obtain these ACT waivers from their school counselors.

SAT Waivers have gone digital in 2020-2021, so students must obtain fee waiver codes from their counselor. Once a waiver code is entered for the first time, all future waivers will automatically be in the student’s online College Board account and available for future use.

For seniors planning to apply to a California State University, register for free information sessions here.

Additionally, The Blue Heart Foundation collaborates with the University of California – San Diego for an intensive SAT prep program, called Students With Academic Goals (SWAG). We also help make applying to college more affordable by using the Common Black App and providing access to SAT waivers, as well as CSU & UC application fee waivers.

As a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our members, The Blue Heart Foundation boasts a 100% college acceptance rate. We are proud to report that our young men have earned thousands of dollars in scholarships to universities across the country.

Contact us today to learn more about how we support our youth in the college application process.