Online SAT is a terrible idea.

tekodu
Thu, 16 Apr 2020 00:59:09 +0000

I just received an email from CollegeBoard saying that they would try to hold dates every weekend in the Fall, and if that isn’t possible they’ll administer an at-home test. This seems like an atrocious idea. When they mentioned the possibility of an at-home test they referenced the fact that they’re administering online AP exams in May, but this is an absolutely brainless comparison. They cut the entire multiple-choice portion from every test and instead are giving 45-minute free-response only tests, which doesn’t seem very applicable to the damn SAT, which is entirely multiple choice on multiple subjects. How could they possibly think it’s possible to administer an online test when thousands of students have inadequate or no access to internet whatsoever. This is a test with a massive impact on our future and they think they can throw together a cheater-proof and effective online version in a few months? That seems like some sort of sick joke. I know ACT subject tests were planned to be online this year but at an approved ACT testing site, not students’ homes. I also recognize the use of a proctored site where a proctor would watch you from your computer camera, but this also seems like a ridiculous idea when you think about it tangibly. Some students have older computers with a very poor or even no computer camera, some might be broken, some students could put a sticky note over their computer camera and say it’s broken, and how would College Board know? They wouldn’t because an online test is a ludicrous idea and could jeopardize thousands of students’ futures. There is no possible way they could effectively get the test into every student’s hands with a working device to take it on and effective protection from cheating. I hope colleges would be able to see the massive flaws in this if online testing becomes necessary, which although CollegeBoard said it’s unlikely, actual data says differently.