What are Colleges Saying About the SAT and ACT in 2020?
Many colleges still encourage students to send in their scores, but don’t require it.
Not sending in your scores will NOT hurt your application, but good scores can help!
At many colleges, recruited athletes will still have to send in their scores.
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Here’s What Colleges Say About the SAT and ACT
SAT and ACT test dates have been cancelled left and right. Colleges are going test-optional. Given that, do colleges still want scores? Should you still take the tests? Well, what are colleges saying about this?
What colleges are saying
First of all, several colleges encourage students who have already taken the tests to report their scores.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported that:
“students who have already taken the SAT/ACT are encouraged to send their scores with the understanding that they help us more accurately evaluate their preparedness for MIT…”
Also, many colleges recommend that if you are able, you should take a test as a way to demonstrate your college readiness.
Cornell University told their applicants that:
“Results from the ACT or SAT might still be a meaningful differentiator in particular for students who:
live near or attend a school that will be open, and where testing will be offered, or who live near a testing center that will be offering more testing seats or dates than they did in 2019; and
have not experienced lost income for one or more of their household providers or other significant new hardships and losses during 2020.”
Given this, you should only submit test scores if you feel that your score accurately reflects your college readiness. Given the many policy changes and cancellations caused by social distancing measures, the SAT or ACT may be a way to demonstrate your college readiness. However, if recent changes have impacted your ability to take the test or your performance on the test, you do not need to submit your score.
What happens if I don’t submit a test score?
Every college has stressed that students who do not take the SAT or ACT will not be at a disadvantage to students who did take the tests. Most universities will pursue a holistic review in admissions, focusing on all factors of student’s application.
For example, Harvard University reported that:
“Students who do not submit standardized testing this coming year will not be disadvantaged in the application process. Their applications will be considered on the basis of what they have presented, and they are encouraged to send whatever materials they believe would convey their accomplishments in secondary school and their promise for the future.”
Scholarships and athletes
Furthermore, while many colleges have gone test-optional, there is the possibility that there are many scholarship opportunities that will still require test score submissions. While scholarship providers will likely also weigh test scores less, it would be nice to have them available.
Secondly, recruited athletes may have to still submit scores depending on a college’s policy, which is often based on various guidelines from the NCAA, Ivy League, etc. Check your college’s guidelines on submitting test scores if you’re an athlete.
For example, Princeton University reports:
“Recruited athletes will still need to adhere to the Ivy League policy and submit standardized testing, though the Office of Admission will be flexible in its review for those who simply cannot gain access.”
In summary, if you are able, you should take the SAT and/or ACT because:
Test scores demonstrate college-readiness skills to colleges that may not be clear on your application because of policy changes or cancellations (pass/fail grading, etc.),
Scholarships or athletic recruitment may possibly require them, and
Good test scores can only help your application (you persevered despite difficult circumstances)
Keep in mind. If you do not take the test, it will not hurt you. If you do take the test, it could help you if you score well. If you do not like your test score, you do not have to submit it.
Remember that your safety comes before all else. If you cannot safely take the tests, do not endanger yourself in order to do so.
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