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How Pre-College Testing is Being Affected by the Coronavirus
Louise G Williams • Mar 23, 2020
Heartfelt hellos to all Gateways to College students and families struggling to make sense of and make a plan from all that is happening in our world. I have been diligently gathering information to share with the families that have entrusted us to guide them through their child(ren)’s testing, college preparation, application, and enrollment. As disruptive and frightening as this pandemic has been, it is imperative – now, more than ever – that we do not allow fear and uncertainty to prevent us or our children from learning skills and preparing for college in a manner that will be crucial to their future success. But also, take some time to be together – watch movies, sing songs, build a snowman, cherish your togetherness! I will post things on this blog over the next week particularly pertinent to this holding pattern we are in. I will try to address all things that are pertinent to juniors and seniors first, and that is a lot. Today I’ll address testing issues.
ACT/SAT:
As you know, Gateways to College works very hard to develop and execute a unique testing strategy, schedule, and instruction for each and every student. Every student is different, so it is a bit hard to offer blanket advice, but I’ll give it a shot.
Not only did juniors miss the PSAT this year because of a snow day, but ACT and SAT testing has been suspended until June. Those of you who were National Merit hopefuls have found some other testing options to try to qualify, but even those may have been canceled. I believe all of our 2021 grads have taken the ACT and/or SAT at least once, so that is a good thing. But I know many of you were counting on the April 14 state test to take the SAT for the first time or to improve your scores. And the May 2 SAT has been cancelled.
In light of these things, here’s what I would suggest for 2021 graduates:
• Sign up for the at least one, maybe two, offered test dates of your stronger test as they become available. Currently the only scheduled test is the ACT on June 13 that is the rescheduled April 4 test. If you were registered for April 4, you’ll receive an email from ACT, but you do not have to have been registered for April 4 to take the June 13 test. So seriously consider that.
• Definitely take advantage of the state SAT test if offered, even if it is not required.
• Practice, practice, practice. If you’d like to save your tutoring sessions for closer to test dates, practice is a good alternative, but it does take discipline. You all have testing books and online content for each test which have way more practice available than most humans could ever do. Every Monday, I’ll send out some emails about suggested practice, shooting for about two hours per week. Even two hours a week will make a huge difference, so let’s do it!! It will keep you from forgetting what we’ve already done.
• For those of you planning to take the June 13 ACT, let’s resume tutoring by the first of May. Until we can meet in person, we can offer online tutoring (we have some cool new tools) and not lose momentum. We have worked hard to set up a Zoom platform with whiteboard and writing capabilities as well.
• Changes in ACT options for the fall
– ACT, Inc. announced in October plans to drastically alter their testing and scoring policies beginning in September of 2020. Students will be able to retake sections of the test and superscore their results. While the change seems wonderful for students, it is still unclear if colleges will accept those scores and, even if they do, how they will evaluate them. Also, section retesting will all be done online, not with traditional paper and pencil, so that introduces some other issues for students. Things may change by September, and colleges may get more publicly onboard in light of the scheduling issues. I will keep you posted. I have already posted articles about this on my Facebook Page, and you can find out more about it at www.act.org. If you are interested in section retesting, we’ll discuss it.
IB, AP, and SAT SUBJECT TESTS:
International Baccalaureate -- Excerpt from IB website March 22, 2020 -- -"The May 2020 examinations, as scheduled between 30 April and 22 May, for Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme students will no longer be held.
Depending on what they registered, for, the student will be awarded a Diploma or a Course Certificate. This is based on student's submitted coursework and the established assessment expertise, rigor and quality control already built into the programmes."
IB is primarily recommending working through your high school to solve restrictions. High schools are updated regularly. IB does have a website page that is updated regularly - HERE. It offers great and up-to-date information.
AP Testing
-- On March 20, AP announced they will be offering AP exams on two separates dates and students will take the exams from the comfort of their homes. The process is a bit complicated, so for the latest in details and information, please click HERE.
SAT Subject Tests
-- The College Board, which administers the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and AP tests, is continually updating its list of test center closings, so check their website, www.collegeboard.org, for schedule and location changes for both US and international sites. We do not have clarity about the role of the Subject Tests in the Class of 2021’s admission applications. Typically, I have suggested taking the SAT Subject Tests, if needed, to coincide with the dates of the IB and AP exams, mainly because the content is fresh in your minds from studying for those. Most colleges do not require SAT Subject Tests, however, and I imagine many that do will relax their requirements for 2020-2021 application season. There is discussion of totally removing the Subject Test from the application process for the upcoming year. I’ll keep you posted.
Next blog post will be on College Tours, Campus Visits, and Decisions. Stay tuned……
I was so fortunate to visit Appalachian State University in Boone, NC over Labor Day. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors. The Saturday we were there, App State was hosting the Carolina TarHeels in a huge football rivalry game. While the TarHeels did barely eek out a win, App State played beautifully and was set up for a fabulous season. In fact, College GameDay hosted its prestigious show in Boone just a few weeks after my visit. If you love the mountain lifestyle and a beautiful town, you’ll love App State. The academic, social, and outdoor offerings are diverse and challenging.
I thoroughly enjoyed a brief visit to Stanford University in late September. Stanford is a place of discovery, creativity and innovation located in the San Francisco Bay Area on the ancestral land of native Americans near Palo Alto. It was orientation weekend when I visited and I loved seeing the students showcase clubs and activities for the freshmen. The weather is most always dependable and pleasant and the campus and the town of Palo Alto are both exquisite.
I so enjoyed visiting Colorado Mesa University while in the area for the Palisade Peach Festival. 🍑 Mesa has a beautiful campus, state of the art facilities and strong programs in so many ways. Definitely a hidden gem on the Western Slope. Check it out.
I had never visited Rider University , and I am so glad that I had the opportunity. Rider is located in quaint Lawrenceville, NJ, about 20 minutes south of Princeton. Rider has so many options for students of all kinds, and their campus and programs have changed greatly in the last few years. They have restructured their College of Arts and Sciences, done HUGE renovations on buildings and academic spaces, and excelled in their Division 1 sports programs. There is something for everyone.
A visit to Princeton is always amazing, and this visit was no exception. I had visited there about 15 years ago, but certainly things have changed. While the campus is still beautiful, unique, historical, and even breathtaking, Princeton has evolved with the times and cultures. The students are very diverse, and inclusion is celebrated. Admission percentages are hitting the single digits and seem very unpredictable, but do not be discouraged. I encourage you to visit if you are at all interested. Princeton is probably my favorite Ivy.
I recently visited Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It is a remarkable school proud of its community-engaged learning and welcoming presence. Red doors adorn every building as a sign of welcome. I have known Muhlenberg primarily for its outstanding performing arts curriculum, but there is much more to offer there. Students thrive in the small and intimate environment and gorgeous campus. Most study across disciplines with extra majors or minors as well. And, Muhlenberg also offers strong programs in business, accounting, economics, finance, and pre-health care majors. One of our guides was from Colorado too!
Alamosa, CO - Adams State is absolutely beautiful and ready for students! Surrounded by Colorado landmarks, history, and beautiful mountains and streams, Adams State offers extraordinary diversity in population and academic offerings. Adams State is leading and supporting actions that transform the campus into a model for inclusive excellence by promoting inclusivity, equity, cultural responsiveness, diversity, and community engagement. If you want to know more and see if this school might be a good fit, let's schedule a time to talk - click here .
Durango, CO - Durango was crawling with travelers and mountain adventurers after being isolated during COVID, and the campus at Fort Lewis was alive as well. Fort Lewis College is a place of experiential learning and an incubator of ideas and opportunity. It emerged through a series of changes uniquely tied to this region and its people. From military outpost to Indian boarding school, rural high school to public college, we have been at the heart of Southwest Colorado and the Four Corners region for over a century. If you want to know more and see if this school might be a good fit, let's schedule a time to talk - click here .
Gunnison, CO – I visited Western on a hot day in June, but the campus was still hopping! Surrounded by mountains and rivers, Western Colorado really captures the feeling and personality of Colorado. The school’s mission is to promotes intellectual maturity and personal growth in its students and prepare them to assume constructive roles in local, national and global communities. Western’s distinctive character emerges from its unity among academic and professional disciplines, high standards of scholarship, and a unique environment in the mountains of western Colorado. If you want to know more and see if this school might be a good fit, let's schedule a time to talk - click here.
2020 was full of challenges, but 2021 is full of opportunities. Encourage your child to achieve their goals this year. Register for the February ACT test. Register HERE
