Were you aware that both the SAT and ACT made some pretty big announcements concerning their testing dates and procedures this year? And what's changed, you ask? Take a look below.
SAT will offer a summer test starting in August 2017
Yep, starting this summer, the SAT will add a test to the rotation in August. The actual date will be August 26, and registration will likely open in July. Each year, we have a number of Seniors who try to fit in the October test just before college deadlines in the fall, so this August test will be a big help for those students already prepping over the summer.
SAT will eliminate January test date
The College Board announced that once the August test is added to the regular schedule, the January test will be eliminated from the test dates. This means there will be a large gap between the December test date and the March test date, but this move will likely help students with any sort of holiday plans (basically everyone).
SAT will limit the number of international test dates
The biggest change that affects current international students is that the June 2017 test will not be administered internationally. Effective as soon as the announcement was made, the only tests offered internationally will be March, and May, October, and December.
It's important to note, though, that College Board said this about Subject Tests: "Recognizing that international students use both the SAT and SAT Subject Tests to build competitive applications, SAT Subject Tests will be available in October, November, December, May, and June."
ACT will offer a summer test starting in July 2018
Perhaps following the lead of the SAT, starting in July 2018, the ACT test schedule will now include a summer test, which, if you're counting, means that there will now be seven test dates throughout the year instead of six.
“Students, educators and colleges have told us they would like to see an extra test date prior to early admission and application deadlines, and we have listened,” said ACT Chief Commercial Officer Suzana Delanghe. “This additional test date will allow students to focus on their coursework while they are in school and prepare for the ACT test during the summer.”
Check back soon about when registration opens for this test!
SAT is cracking down on security
The full article can be found here, but we've included some highlights below.
“We are unwavering in our commitment to SAT test security and we will continue to confront any efforts to undermine it, including the unauthorized disclosure of test questions and test forms,” said Peter Schwartz, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel at the College Board. “There are three fundamental ways we protect the value of the SAT for test takers and score recipients: increasing the pool of test items, increasing security and deterrence, and limiting exposure of test materials by reducing the number of administrations. In all of our efforts, we’ve worked to strike a balance between thwarting those seeking an unfair advantage and providing testing opportunities for the vast majority of students who play by the rules.”
Some areas in which the SAT has promised to crack down include:
Changing international testing dates, as mentioned above.
Providing the names of test prep companies and individuals we suspect of stealing and receiving secure test content to law enforcement and other government agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Prohibiting individuals from taking the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and Advanced Placement Exams when we conclude they have gained or attempted to gain or share an unfair advantage on any College Board test.
Exploring with both colleges and high schools effective ways to share with them – consistent with applicable laws and contractual obligations – whether their applicants or attending students, respectively, have gained or attempted to gain or share an unfair advantage on any College Board test.
Increasing test center audits worldwide.
Making it easier for students and educators to confidentially and anonymously report suspected cheating.
Expanding the College Board's criteria for barring registrants who are taking the SAT for other than one of its intended purposes.
Now, that's a lot of information to throw at you. As you know, we believe that each student's testing experience is unique, so we encourage you to reach out to us so we can discuss ways to maximize an individual testing plan!