SAT testing has always been a vital part of the college application process for high school students. Think years of PSAT testing, to giant practice textbooks, to students aiming for their college’s preferred scores, and to hours of prepwork. During Covid-19, College Board has worked to make sure that students can have all that hard work not go to waste. 

Having taken the SAT twice within the last few months, and many other test takers can relate to the following experience. My original testing date was cancelled by its center due to concerns about rise in cases, and I had to reschedule for a later date. According to College Board on their website, “Test centers make individual decisions about whether to administer the SAT, and they may close before the administration, right up until test day.” My second testing date, I actually was able to take the test, and my center applied the following guidelines that College Board recommends:

• “All students and staff are required to wear a mask or protective face covering during an SAT administration. Students won’t be allowed in the test center without a mask, which is required for the duration of testing.
• Students must be seated at least 6 feet apart during testing.
• Students must confirm a series of statements (more below) prior to entering the test center or testing room.
• Students who violate the requirements put in place by their test center or College Board should be dismissed from the test center; if this happens their scores will be canceled and they won’t receive a refund.”

Students are encouraged to check the website often to avoid being unprepared for a sudden cancellation of their test. Both of my testing centers enforced all these guidelines, desks where we took the tests were all far apart, and every student wore his/her mask. Many students who wanted water or snacks in between their tests were given designated areas they could do so. While taking the SAT during such times can come with slight difficulties, in personal experience my testing centers and College Board have done an acceptable job weaving through complications.

Image courtesy pixy.org.