How Changes in Standardized Testing Will Affect the College Admissions Process for the High School Class of 2022
Written January 31, 2021
On January 19, 2021, the College Board announced that it was no longer administering Subject Tests for high school students in the United States. The College Board also announced that it will discontinue the optional essay on SAT exams after June 2021. At the same time, COVID continues to cause much uncertainty around testing dates for both the SAT and ACT tests. There are currently three more SAT test dates scheduled for the current year: March 13th, May 8th, and June 5th. The ACT is being offered on February 6th, April 17th, and June 12th (and, in states other than New York, on July 17th). For the current application year, approximately 1,700 schools were “test-optional”. The number of colleges and universities that are extending their test-optional policies from 2021 to 2022 continues to evolve. For example, Columbia University and Cornell University are two schools that will be test-optional for the high school class of 2022. Other schools like Tufts University and the University of Wisconsin have previously extended their test-optional policy at a minimum through the class of 2022.
Understanding “Test-Optional” and Test Blind”
As discussed above, many institutions have elected to be “test-optional” for the current cycle and beyond. “Test optional” means that a college will consider the standardized test scores from students who choose to submit them. A small number of schools are “test blind” which means that the college will not consider any standardized test scores as part of the admissions process.
Should High School Juniors Take the SAT or ACT?
If a student is able to safely sit for the SAT or ACT, it is usually a good idea to take the test. Students should make an effort to prepare in order to achieve as strong a score as possible. However, if the student is unable to find a testing location, does not feel safe sitting for a standardized test during COVID, or simply is having trouble achieving the desired score, the list of colleges and universities that will be test-optional continues to grow. As a result, the student will still be able to apply to many institutions without test scores.
Should a Student Taking the SAT by June 2021 Complete the Essay?
The essay section of the SAT will be phased out after the June 2021 test date. Even students taking the SAT before that date do not need to complete the essay section-colleges will not be looking for it.
How Does a Student Decide Whether to Submit SAT or ACT Scores?
After a student has decided which colleges and universities they are going to apply to, they need to research the range of standardized test scores the school typically receives. Although there may be some exceptions, a good general rule is if a student’s test scores are at or above the higher end of the range, they should submit the score. Students should consult with their college counselor with specific questions.
What Should a Student Do if They Already Have Subject Test Scores?
Most colleges have already stopped requiring Subject Tests. If a student has taken a Subject Test and wants to submit their score, they should reach out to the Admissions Office of the specific school to determine whether the score will be accepted.
Other Aspects of the Application
Standardized test scores are only one part of the college application. Juniors in high school should start to think about which teachers they are going to approach for letters of recommendation. They should also start to consider their grades and other interests to guide them in researching colleges.
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