Will the SAT Be an At-Home Exam?
Plus, At-Home AP Update COVID-19 Series
The Princeton Review
Hi, folks.
Rob Franek here with some quick updates.
After the College Board said that they were going to get creative about the SAT format
if necessary, we were pretty sure they meant that an at-home exam was on the table.
And now College Board CEO David Coleman has confirmed it.
Here’s what you need to know: May has been canceled—that’s not news.
As of now, June is still scheduled but may also be canceled.
If that’s the case, then they’ll look for a fall administration.
Ideally by then, everyone will be back in school, and the test will happen as usual.
Colleges are aware of the circumstances you’re in, and many seem amenable to extending deadlines
as necessary.
Remember that as much as you need them, they need you too!
But what if things aren’t back to normal by the fall?
In that case, Coleman has said: “I think we will need an at-home-style solution for
the SAT if schools are out this fall, and we’ll be giving more updates on our progress
towards that in about a week’s time.
But we have announced that we are preparing, in that sad eventuality that our society really
is off-kilter and kids can’t get back into a school setting by this fall, that we will
develop alternatives.”
So rest assured, you definitely will be able to take
the SAT come the fall, if not sooner.
And I want to say one more thing about that: If your classes are now pass/fail, and you
find yourself with extra time, use it to prep!
You can distinguish yourself by earning a high SAT score, even at test-optional schools—especially
at test-optional schools—and open up new opportunities to attain merit-based financial
aid.
Finally, switching topics with another welcome update: As always, there is no curve on this
year’s AP exams.
What that means is: Cheaters won’t have a relative advantage.
(The old adage is true: cheaters don’t win, and winners don’t cheat.)
If you learn and demonstrate knowledge of a “5” level of understanding, then you’ll
get a 5.
In theory, EVERYONE could demonstrate “5”-level knowledge and all earn 5s.
(That might mean the test was too easy, but that would be College Board’s fault—not
yours.)
And you’ll get opportunities to practice!
College Board is adding online practice for students prior to the exam—and that’ll
be in the same style as the 2020 exams.
Look out for that later this week.
A bunch of you have also asked about those June AP makeup dates.
They’re really reserved for students who need to make up the test, perhaps due to illness,
tech issues, or other extenuating circumstances.
You’ll need to get permission from and arrange through your school counselor.
So unless you’re facing extenuating circumstances, plan to take your AP exams in May.
As always, folks, please subscribe to our channel for all the latest updates.
We’ll be back with you here tomorrow.