I think it’s possible they’d write a new test specifically for the online scenario. My S21 tests with 50% extra time…that makes the testing experience take something close to 6-6.5 hours for him (when we’re dropping at a test center and they have to go in early to get situated). Clearly during that time you have to give a kid a bathroom break. How would they handle bathroom breaks in an online test and still prevent possible cheating? If you let the kid walk away for 5 minutes from the space being remote proctored, how do you know what the student did during that time ? It’s possible they’d make the test shorter to deal with this. Or maybe they’d do different sections on different days to deal with this. Reading only one day. Writing only another. Math only another (so that all of the test sessions are short enough that you don’t need to give a bathroom break). Obviously I have no idea what they’ll really do, but I do think it’s possible they’d write the test differently. One way the GMAT has managed to make the test shorter is making it computer adaptive, but that’s a big shift I’m not sure the SAT is ready for. It will be interesting to see this announcement today!
Here are the ACT changes (from a college counseling web site I follow). If it violates the TOS, please let me know and I will delete.
The ACT will be available as an online test at select locations in September, 2020. Of course, this is slightly questionable as shelter in place orders continue to extend.
The sections, question types, timing, and scoring will remain the same. The online test may be more comfortable for some students. For others, it might prove more stressful or distracting. Colleges will not know whether you take the online or the paper test — it is strictly a matter of personal preference. The scores for online tests will be available as quickly as two days later. This is significantly faster than the paper test and may be helpful for students who are up against application deadlines.
The online test will be given at specified locations on ACT computers. It will not be available for home testing, or on your own laptop, even at a testing center. Scratch paper will be available, and the testing software will include highlighting tools. You will be able to go back and change answers if there is time remaining in the section.
Some students prefer the comfortable environment of working on a computer screen. Others prefer to have the ability to mark on the page with their pencils as they work through the material. We advise you to try both environments before making your decision. The Official Beginner’s Guide for ACT (a publication of ACT, Inc.) includes access to an online practice test so that you can see for yourself which option is best for you.
ACT will report a “superscore” for those who take more than one ACT.
About one third of all institutions currently allow superscoring. The change is that, now, ACT will automatically report the best score on each of your English, Math, Reading, and Science sections across all of the ACTs you take, and calculate your hypothetical composite score as though each of your best section scores were on the same full ACT. Colleges and universities will still each decide how to handle this information. Some will not consider the superscore in making admission decisions. Be sure to check with the schools and programs you are applying to for more information.
If you have taken one complete, or “full-battery,” ACT at any time since 2016, you may choose to retake individual sections.
You may retake one, two, or three sections as an online test at select locations on any of the seven annual national test dates beginning with September 2020. You may NOT take individual sections as paper-and-pencil exams. In our opinion, this is the most exciting change. It means that, with proper planning, you could take your “full-panel” ACT on one day, and then do the writing section as a stand-alone test at a later date without the fatigue that is a major factor for many students. Some students will benefit from the reduced fatigue and stress when retaking only one, two, or three sections rather than an entire ACT exam.
Just saw a tweet stating that an announcement will be shared soon that June SAT is cancelled.
Yes. College Board just canceled June SAT and Subject Test.
@123Mom123 - thanks for posting this. Wow. Hoping that the couple of schools that were adamant about subject tests will rethink this requirement.
Well, S21 will qualify for early registration access because he’s registered for June and doesn’t have SAT scores. He was supposed to take it in March. But this certainly increases anxiety regarding our state-related schools here in PA. Having already been through the Penn State admissions cycle once (S19 is currently a freshman at University Park), the earlier you apply the better. Same for Pitt.
I’ve been wondering if college and universities were waiting to see what the CB was going to do before making decisions about going test optional for the 21ers. Will be interesting to see what happens on that front now.
@evergreen5 do you know when they can register? I just tried and no go yet. No testing dates pop up as available.
@homerdog College Board covid updates say registration starts in May.
Cal Tech, MIT and Mudd all dropped the Subject test requirements. Cal Tech and MIT will be subject test blind. Mudd will consider them (but it’s not really clear).
@homerdog Info is on the College Board site. Registration will start in May.
“Students can register for these administrations starting in May. We’ll contact students directly when we have the exact date. Eligible students can register with a fee waiver.”
Looks like they are going to offer the ACT and SAT online this fall:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/students-may-be-able-to-take-sat-act-at-home-due-to-coronavirus-11586971894?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=1
@carlson2 same here. S21 was registered for two Subject tests in June so now hoping Georgetown, for example, changes its policy on having 3. S21 only has one.
I just read the press release. Why can’t they be more clear? Registration in “May” and they’ll let students know? And if kids don’t have a score this year, they can register early? Earlier than the May time or that’s the early time?
And no July date so I guess no test until August at the earliest. OMG.
@AOP1925 What about Bard, Beloit, Bryn Mawr, Brandeis, Reed, Rhodes?
Gtown takes AP scores in lieu of subject tests…would that work?
@homerdog I read it as no SAT score yet - so my niece who took it last October doesn’t get priority because she has a score on file already. Of course, if she can get a spot non-priority she can (they are in NYC where even last year it was hard getting a spot close to home).
My guess is a lot of schools are going to give the test during the school day like they do the PSAT. That to me seems to be the easiest route.
@NJWrestlingmom yes we think our school would do a Sept SAT if in school. This is exactly what we’ve tried to avoid. Last minute stressed out testing. Glad to see colleges going TO but I really hope they mean it when they say they’ll truly consider kids without scores…
Do you folks read this as an “and” or an “or” statement?
@homerdog I took “no score yet” to be students like my S21 who have yet to take the SAT for the first time. He only has a PSAT score.