What to Know About the SAT and ACT in 2020

 
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How to Take the SAT or ACT in 2020

Testing centers have been closed and limited. Colleges are going test-optional. Despite all this, you are able to safely access tests and have decided you still want to take the SAT or ACT to demonstrate your college readiness. What should you do now?

Taking the SAT now

First, the SAT. Let’s look at the testing schedule for the upcoming months.

Upcoming SAT Testing Schedule

August

  • 8/29: Test Date

September

  • 9/23: Test Date (SAT School Day Administration Only)*

  • 9/26: Test Date

October

  • 10/3: Test Date

  • 10/14: Test Date (SAT School Day Administration Only)*

  • 10/14: Makeup Test Date (SAT School Day Administration Only)*

November

  • 11/7: Test Date

December

  • 12/5: Test Date

January

  • TBD: Test Date (if demand requires)

*If your school is an SAT School Day partner, you can take the SAT on this date.

 
 

Here are some important notes:

  • Starting August, there will be an SAT test offered every month. There will be a total of 5 SAT test dates available.

  • Due to social distancing measures, limited seating is available at testing centers.

  • At-Home digital SATs are not NOT offered currently.

  • All test change fees are waived through the end of July.

  • If you register for a test and your testing center decides to close, you will receive a direct notification from the College Board. Check your testing center’s website for updates.

Registering for the SAT

Here’s what you or your child should do:

  • Seniors, who are able, should register for a test date as soon as possible due to the limited seating. Check on the College Board website to see if your local test centers still has seats available for your intended test date.

  • Check to see if your school offers SAT School Day testing. If so, you have the ability to test on September 23 and October 14 in addition to the upcoming national test dates.

  • If you are able, start test preparation in order to get ready for your upcoming SAT.

Here is some additional info on upcoming SAT registration deadlines:

Test Date: August 29, 2020

Registration: Closed

Test Date: September 26, 2020

Registration Deadline: August 26, 2020

Late Registration (Online or By Phone) Deadline: September 15, 2020

Test Date: October 3, 2020

Registration Deadline: September 4, 2020

Late Registration (By Mail) Deadline: September 15, 2020

Late Registration (Online or By Phone) Deadline: September 22, 2020

Test Date: November 7, 2020

Registration Deadline: October 7, 2020

Late Registration (By Mail) Deadline: October 20, 2020

Late Registration (Online or By Phone) Deadline: October 27, 2020

Test Date: December 5, 2020

Registration Deadline: November 5, 2020

Late Registration (By Mail) Deadline: November 17, 2020

Late Registration (Online or By Phone) Deadline: November 24, 2020\

Safety measures during the SAT

Statement from the College Board:

“Our top priority is your health and safety. Please note that as the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic continues to evolve, we will continue to monitor and will let you know if circumstances change closer to the test dates.”

Note that on test day, the College Board requires:

  • Masks or protective face coverings

  • Student seating that is 6 feet apart

  • Confirmation to Covid-19 Safety Screening statements:

    • This survey will be given verbally to all students before entering the test center. It consists of five statements

The statements

  1. In the past 14 days, I have not come into close contact (within 6 feet) with someone who has tested positive for covid-19 test or is presumed to have covid-19.

  2. I do not have covid-19 or have reason to believe I have covid-19. Symptoms of covid-19 include cough, fever, chills, muscle pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell.

  3. To my knowledge, I am not violating any travel restrictions or quarantining requirements.

  4. I agree to wear a mask the entire time I'm at this test center and follow instructions from test center staff, otherwise I will be dismissed.

  5. We have taken measures to help create a safe testing environment; however, it isn't possible to entirely remove the risk of covid-19 exposure. By entering the testing room, you're accepting that risk.

Taking the ACT now

Now, the ACT. Let’s look at the testing schedule for the upcoming months.

Upcoming ACT Testing Schedule

September

  • 9/12: Test Date

  • 9/13: Test Date

  • 9/19: Test Date

October

  • 10/10: Test Date

  • 10/17: Test Date

  • 10/24: Test Date

  • 10/25: Test Date

December

  • 12/12: Test Date

Here are some important notes:

  • There are 8 ACT test dates available for the rest of 2020.

  • Due to social distancing measures, limited seating is available at testing centers.

  • You can reschedule or change your test date at no cost.

  • At-Home digital ACTs are not NOT offered currently.

Registering for the ACT

Here’s what you or your child should do:

  • Seniors, who are able, should register for a test date as soon as possible due to the limited seating. Check on the ACT website to see if your local test centers still has seats available for your intended test date.

  • If you are able, start test preparation in order to get ready for your upcoming ACT.

Here is some additional info on upcoming SAT registration deadlines:

Test Dates: September 12, 2020, September 13, 2020, September 19, 2020

Registration Deadline: August 14, 2020
Late Registration Deadline: August 28, 2020

Test Dates: October 10, 2020, October 17, 2020, October 24, 2020, October 25, 2020

Registration Deadline: September 17, 2020
Late Registration Deadline: September 25, 2020

Test Date: December 12, 2020

Registration Deadline: November 6, 2020
Late Registration Deadline: November 20, 2020

Have questions about the ACT? Check out these ACT FAQs.

Saftey measures during the ACT

Please note that ACT, Inc:

  • Will follow CDC-recommended guidelines for social distancing

  • Encourages examinees to bring their own mask, hand sanitizer, and other PPE

  • Will screen students with health and wellness questions before admittance to the testing room:

Health and wellness questions

  1. Have you tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 in the last 14 days?

  2. Have you had any of these symptoms in the last 14 days?

    1. Fever greater than 100 degrees

    2. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

    3. Cough

    4. Chills

    5. Muscle pain

    6. Sore throat

    7. New loss of taste or smell

  3. Are you experiencing fever, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, a cough, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell at this time?

  4. Have you been in close contact with someone displaying these known symptoms of COVID-19?

  5. Have you been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 or who has tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 in the last 14 days?

  6. Have you traveled outside the country or to any high-risk locations in the last 14 days or been in close contact with someone who traveled to high-risk locations in the past 14 days?

Whether you’re taking the SAT or ACT or both, It is important to keep these things in mind for the upcoming months:

  • Make sure you choose and register for a test as soon as possible given the limited seating.

  • Start test prep right away to make sure you review everything you need to know

  • Follow social distancing protocols on test day.

  • If you do not feel well on test day, please stay home.

Look out for more updates on our blog!

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