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Retooling During Pandemic, the SAT Will Drop Essay and Subject Tests

By dropping or suspending the requirement that applicants submit standardized test scores, colleges have cut into the College Board’s business model.

sat essay canceled

By Anemona Hartocollis ,  Kate Taylor and Stephanie Saul

In the latest sign of trouble for the standardized testing empire that has played a major role in college applications for millions of students, the organization that produces the SAT said on Tuesday that it would scrap subject tests and the optional essay section , further scrambling the admissions process.

The move comes as the testing industry has been battered by questions about equity and troubled by logistical and financial challenges during the coronavirus pandemic.

Critics saw the changes not as an attempt to streamline the test-taking process for students, as the College Board portrayed the decision, but as a way of placing greater importance on Advanced Placement tests, which the board also produces, as a way for the organization to remain relevant and financially viable.

“The SAT and the subject exams are dying products on their last breaths, and I’m sure the costs of administering them are substantial,” said Jon Boeckenstedt, the vice provost for enrollment management at Oregon State University.

The main SAT, taken by generations of high school students applying to college, consists of two sections, one for math and the other for reading and writing. But since at least the 1960s, students have also had the option of taking subject tests to show their mastery of subjects like history, languages and chemistry. Colleges often use the tests to determine where to place students for freshman courses, especially in the sciences and languages.

But the College Board said the subject tests have been eclipsed by the rise of Advanced Placement exams. At one point, A.P. courses were seen as the province of elite schools, but the board said on Tuesday that “the expanded reach of A.P. and its widespread availability for low-income students and students of color means the subject tests are no longer necessary.”

More than 22,000 schools offered A.P. courses in the 2019-20 school year, up from more than 13,000 two decades earlier, according to the College Board. There are some 24,000 public high schools in America.

The College Board said it would discontinue the essay section on the main SAT test because “there are other ways for students to demonstrate their mastery of essay writing,” including, it said, the test’s reading and writing portion. The essay section was introduced in 2005 , and was considered among the most drastic changes to the SAT in decades. It came amid a broader overhaul of the test, which included eliminating verbal analogies that were a mainstay of SAT-prep courses.

Admissions officers hoped the essay would give them a way to look at original samples of students’ writing, to better evaluate their skills. It came to be criticized, however, for promoting an overly formulaic approach to writing, and was made optional in 2016 as part of another redesign.

In recent years, the SAT has come under increasing fire from critics who say that standardized testing exacerbates inequities across class and racial lines. Some studies have shown that high school grades are an equal or better predictor of college success.

More than 1,000 four-year colleges did not require applicants to submit standardized test scores before the pandemic, and the number rose — at least temporarily — as the coronavirus forced testing centers to close and made it difficult for many students to safely take the test.

Perhaps the biggest hit came in May, when, following a lawsuit from a group of Black and Hispanic students who said the tests discriminated against them, the influential University of California system decided to phase out SAT and ACT requirements for its 10 schools, which include some of the nation’s most popular campuses.

The College Board acknowledged that the coronavirus had played a role in the changes announced on Tuesday, saying in a statement that the pandemic had “accelerated a process already underway at the College Board to simplify our work and reduce the demands on students.”

But David Coleman, the chief executive of the College Board, a nonprofit organization that in the past has reported more than $1 billion a year in revenue, said that financial concerns were not behind the decisions, and that despite the growing number of schools making the SAT optional, demand for the test was still “stronger than some would expect.”

He said the organization’s goal was not to get more students to take A.P. courses and tests, but to eliminate redundant exams and reduce the burden on high school students. “Anything that can reduce unnecessary anxiety and get out of the way is of huge value to us,” he said.

Some experts, though, said eliminating the subject matter tests could have the opposite effect, increasing pressure on students to take A.P. courses and exams, especially in their junior year, so credits can be submitted in time for college admissions decisions.

Saul Geiser, a senior associate at the Center for Studies in Higher Education at the University of California, Berkeley, said the move would “worsen the perverse emphasis on test prep and test-taking skills at the expense of regular classroom learning.”

Mr. Geiser said that mastering writing skills and subject matter “is the best predictor of how students perform in college.”

Experts in college preparation said the announcement, while a major change, was partly just a recognition of a shifting environment for standardized testing. Jonathan Richard Burdick, vice president for enrollment at Cornell, said the “handwriting was on the wall for both the subject exams and the essay option long before the pandemic struck.”

Harris Zakarin, part-owner of the test preparation company Regents Review, said consideration of the tests had diminished in recent years. “From my experience, over the past couple of years, it has become extremely rare for a college to require a student to submit an essay with the SAT,” he said.

Mr. Zakarin said he expected that the SAT’s rival, the ACT, would follow suit and eliminate its writing component. The ACT said in a statement that it continuously evaluated demands for its products.

At the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, officials dropped the SAT essay requirement in 2016 because they saw it as an undue burden on students, including an added fee, said Mike Drish, the university’s director of first-year admissions.

Mr. Drish said the university evaluated students’ writing preparedness based on their grades in English classes, as well as teacher recommendations and essays submitted as part of the admissions process.

Mark Rosenbaum, director of the California-based pro bono law firm Public Counsel, which represented the plaintiffs who sued the University of California over standardized testing, said the College Board’s decision was a step in the right direction but did not go far enough.

“Everyone knows that A.P. tests are also discriminatory in terms of student access to those tests and preparation for those tests,” Mr. Rosenbaum said. “It’s not like it eliminates racial and class discrimination.”

In addition to dropping the essay and subject tests, the College Board said it would continue to develop a version of the SAT test that could be administered digitally — something it tried and failed to do quickly with an at-home version last year after the pandemic shut down testing centers. The board gave no time frame for when a digital version of the SAT might be introduced, but said it would be given at testing centers by live proctors.

There were about 2.2 million registrations for weekend SAT tests in 2020 (some students take it more than once), but because of the pandemic, only 900,000 such tests were taken.

Anemona Hartocollis is a national correspondent, covering higher education. She is also the author of the book, “Seven Days of Possibilities: One Teacher, 24 Kids, and the Music That Changed Their Lives Forever.” More about Anemona Hartocollis

Stephanie Saul covers national politics. Since joining The Times in 2005, she has also written about the pharmaceutical industry, education and the illicit foreign money fueling Manhattan’s real estate boom. More about Stephanie Saul

SAT subject tests and essay are canceled in welcome sign of exam's pending demise

Image: SAT Test To Be Revamped

When the College Board recently announced that it was eliminating the two optional SAT tests — the subject matter achievement tests and the writing test — it came as no surprise to many higher education professionals. The move seemed to acknowledge that the nonprofit behind the most widely used U.S. college entrance exam has lost millions of dollars in income and will likely need to adjust its business plans in order to stay viable.

Inherent imbalances are then greatly exacerbated by the private test prep industry. Many students rely on courses and tutors that can cost thousands of dollars.

The $1 billion testing industry depends on colleges and universities across the country insisting that applicants submit test results as a requirement for entry, but many institutions are now questioning their role in college admissions.

After the University of California system announced last year that it was no longer requiring applicants to submit scores from the SAT or ACT (a test run by the College Board’s competitor), some educators heard the death knell sound for the SAT. When the pandemic left thousands of students with no opportunity to take the exam, many more colleges set aside the testing requirement for this year. That precedent, combined with the large number of institutions that had already made the test optional, suggests the College Board is losing its captive audience.

Indeed, it’s likely the SAT has outlived its usefulness. Though premised on a noble concept — leveling the playing field for college applicants — most admissions officers believe the test is unhelpful to institutions seeking to diversify their student bodies. Both the content of the test and the industry that surrounds it have become barriers for students from less privileged backgrounds.

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The College Board was founded as the College Entrance Examination Board in 1900 by 12 universities seeking to bring order to the college admissions process. It now has thousands of member institutions and takes in hundreds of millions of dollars each year , especially from its Advanced Placement operation, and has an executive team as well paid as those at for-profit corporations .

Beyond the tests themselves, the College Board makes money from selling information about the students who take the SAT to interested colleges and universities seeking to recruit them. It also owns some of the $1 billion test prep industry , which itself has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.

Although the College Board has insisted that the recent move to eliminate tests is designed to simplify the admissions process for students, many college officials think otherwise . Problems with test administration during the pandemic have revealed that the College Board needs to focus on improving its digital presence in order to make the test more easily available. Cutting back now frees up resources to use on pressing new developments.

Since the first SAT was created in 1926 , generations of prospective college students have had to endure the test as a rite of passage to a college education. Originally conceived of as an aptitude test designed to even the playing field for ordinary people and predict college success, Harvard welcomed the test as a means of diversifying its student body, though its origins go back to people associated with the eugenics movement .

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Since its introduction, many students and educators have increasingly come to view the test as a way to exclude diverse students rather than foster access . High scores on the SAT are strongly correlated with socio-economic status and tend to disadvantage Black and brown students , who score significantly lower than their white peers.

For starters, the cost of the test itself can present a major hurdle for low-income students. The College Board charges students roughly $50 for the basic SAT , and many take it several times. And test-takers also have to pay to send the results to more than four colleges , which is typical today. It also takes social capital simply to sign up for the tests and obtain information about the test format, like the need to bring No. 2 pencils and a calculator, no longer staples in student backpacks.

These inherent imbalances are then greatly exacerbated by the private test prep industry. Many students rely on courses and tutors that can cost thousands of dollars . Additional costs include transportation and free time, which students with jobs simply don’t have.

College admissions officers have used the test to compare students from schools and school systems with very different standards and expectations rather than trusting high school grades . But the data doesn’t bear out the assumption that the universal exam tells them more. Many high-scoring students don’t perform well in college, and many low-scoring ones do just fine. Colleges that have made these tests optional have not found any difference in academic achievement between students who submitted tests and those who didn’t. Research shows that grades better predict success , perhaps because they more accurately reflect a student’s motivation and work ethic.

Few people today accuse the College Board of intentional bias or favoritism, but it’s not difficult to understand how less privileged students are hindered. The College Board itself has acknowledged the differential in scores across race but blames them on inequities in educational preparation rather than test bias.

But many educators and students have argued for years that the SAT is itself biased , and its questions and tasks disadvantage students by gender and race, even by geography. The questions are associated with cultural capital , easily accessible to those from more elite backgrounds with broader life experience. For example, a passage on rugby might confuse students who don’t even know it’s a sport. Students may not read these texts accurately and successfully respond to questions about them.

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Furthermore, the format of the test itself needlessly handicaps many students, particularly ones with certain types of disabilities. Holding the SAT under strict time limits is efficient, but the ability to take timed tests does not assess intelligence or ability . Perhaps most important, the SAT has an outsized influence on high school curriculum and student learning. Educators eager to see their students enter selective institutions shape their lessons to conform with parameters set by the College Board . And that means teachers are adapting their instruction to the priorities of a self-interested business.

The removal of the SAT as a gatekeeper would open higher education to a student population more varied not only by race and socio-economic level but also by interests and abilities. For many students and educators, the weakening of the power of the SAT is welcome news.

Peshe Kuriloff recently retired as a professor of practice at Temple University in Philadelphia, where she coaches teachers in urban schools. In addition to writing about education issues, she enjoys writing personal essays about her life experiences.

The Optional SAT Essay: What to Know

Tackling this section of the SAT requires preparation and can boost some students' college applications.

Elementary school student series.

Getty Images

Even though an increasing number of colleges are dropping standardized test requirements, students who must write the SAT essay can still stand to gain from doing so.

Although the essay portion of the SAT became optional in 2016, many students still chose to write it to demonstrate strong or improved writing skills to prospective colleges.

In June 2021, the College Board opted to discontinue the SAT essay. Now, only students in a few states and school districts still have access to — and must complete — the SAT essay. This requirement applies to some students in the SAT School Day program, for instance, among other groups.

How Colleges Use SAT, ACT Results

Tiffany Sorensen Sept. 14, 2020

High school students having their exam inside a classroom.

Whether or not to write the SAT essay is not the biggest decision you will have to make in high school, but it is certainly one that requires thought on your part. Here are three things you should know about the 50-minute SAT essay as you decide whether to complete it:

  • To excel on the SAT essay, you must be a trained reader.
  • The SAT essay begs background knowledge of rhetoric and persuasive writing.
  • A growing number of colleges are dropping standardized test requirements.

To Excel on the SAT Essay, You Must Be a Trained Reader

The SAT essay prompt never comes unaccompanied. On the contrary, it follows a text that is about 700 words long or approximately one page. Before test-takers can even plan their response, they must carefully read and – ideally – annotate the passage.

The multifaceted nature of the SAT essay prompt can be distressing to students who struggle with reading comprehension. But the good news is that this prompt is highly predictable: It always asks students to explain how the author builds his or her argument. In this case, "how” means which rhetorical devices are used, such as deductive reasoning, metaphors, etc.

Luckily, the author’s argument is usually spelled out in the prompt itself. For instance, consider this past SAT prompt : “Write an essay in which you explain how Paul Bogard builds an argument to persuade his audience that natural darkness should be preserved.”

Due to the essay prompt’s straightforward nature, students should read the passage with an eye toward specific devices used by the author rather than poring over “big ideas.” In tour SAT essay, aim to analyze at least two devices, with three being even better.

The SAT Essay Begs Background Knowledge of Rhetoric and Persuasive Writing

Since your SAT essay response must point to specific rhetorical devices that the author employs to convince the reader, you should make it a point to intimately know 10-15 common ones. The more familiar you are with rhetorical devices, the faster you will become at picking them out as you read texts.

Once you have read the passage and identified a handful of noteworthy rhetorical devices, you should apply many of the same essay-writing techniques you already use in your high school English classes.

For instance, you should start by brainstorming to see which devices you have the most to say about. After that, develop a concise thesis statement, incorporate quotes from the text, avoid wordiness and other infelicities of writing, close with an intriguing conclusion, and do everything else you could imagine your English teacher advising you to do.

Remember to always provide evidence from the text to support your claims. Finally, leave a few minutes at the end to review your essay for mistakes.

A Growing Number of Colleges Are Dropping Standardized Test Requirements

In recent years, some of America’s most prominent colleges and universities – including Ivy League institutions like Harvard University in Massachusetts, Princeton University in New Jersey and Yale University in Connecticut – have made submission of ACT and SAT scores optional.

While this trend began as early as 2018, the upheaval caused by COVID-19 has prompted many other schools to adopt a more lenient testing policy, as well.

Advocates for educational fairness have long expressed concerns that standardized admissions tests put underprivileged students at a disadvantage. In light of the coronavirus pandemic , which restricted exam access for almost all high school students, colleges have gotten on board with this idea by placing more emphasis on other factors in a student’s application.

To assess writing ability in alternative ways, colleges now place more emphasis on students’ grades in language-oriented subjects, as well as college application documents like the personal statement .

The fact that more colleges are lifting their ACT/SAT requirement does not imply that either test or any component of it is now obsolete. Students who must write the SAT essay can still stand to gain from doing so, especially those who wish to major in a writing-intensive field. The essay can also demonstrate a progression or upward trajectory in writing skills.

The SAT essay can give a boost to the college applications of the few students to whom it is still available. If the requirement applies to you, be sure to learn more about the SAT essay and practice it often as you prepare for your upcoming SAT.

13 Test Prep Tips for SAT and ACT Takers

Studying for college entrance exam

Tags: SAT , standardized tests , students , education

About College Admissions Playbook

Stressed about getting into college? College Admissions Playbook, authored by Varsity Tutors , offers prospective college students advice on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, SAT and ACT exams and the college application process. Varsity Tutors, an advertiser with U.S. News & World Report, is a live learning platform that connects students with personalized instruction to accelerate academic achievement. The company's end-to-end offerings also include mobile learning apps, online learning environments and other tutoring and test prep-focused technologies. Got a question? Email [email protected] .

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College Board Eliminates SAT Subject Tests and Essay

The College Board will no longer offer the SAT with essay or the SAT Subject Tests, exams that assess specific topics, such as Math, World History, or French.

The College Board will permanently eliminate the SAT Subject Tests or SAT with essay to better adapt to the pandemic-era admissions process, the company announced last Tuesday.

“As students and colleges adapt to new realities and changes to the college admissions process, the College Board is making sure our programs adapt with them,” the statement reads. “The pandemic accelerated a process already underway at the College Board to reduce and simplify demands on students.”

While the tests have been canceled for students registered in the U.S., College Board will continue to administer the Subject Tests — exams that assess specific topics, such as Chemistry, World History, or French — and SAT with essay to international students through June 2021.

Jay R. Rosner, executive director of the Princeton Review Foundation, described the use of the SAT Subject Tests and SAT essay in college admissions as “steadily diminishing.”

“The deaths of both the essay and subject tests are several years overdue,” Rosner wrote. “Harvard will eventually see the light and jettison the SAT, but maybe not without a fight.”

Harvard College spokesperson Rachael Dane said the Admissions Office will still review all test materials submitted by applicants.

“Harvard admission officers review all material that an applicant submits, so if a student has already taken Subject Tests or the essay portion of the SAT, they may still submit it along with their other application materials,” Dane wrote.

Harvard College — along with its peer institutions — removed standardized test requirements for this year’s application cycle given the challenge of scheduling tests with Covid-19 restrictions.

Brian Taylor, managing director of private college consulting service Ivy Coach, said College Board’s decision was "entirely predictable."

“This was an entirely predictable move by College Board,” Taylor said. “When certain elite schools make a move, other universities soon thereafter follow their lead. College Board read the writing on the wall.”

In eliminating the SAT Subject Tests, College Board could make AP exams — end-of-course tests offered by the same company — more profitable, Taylor speculated.

“AP exams are already hugely important in highly selective college admissions,” Taylor wrote. “This move by College Board hammers home their importance.”

“These exams, which went online last year, are also more of a revenue driver for College Board,” he added. “Each test costs test-takers around $95, whereas SAT Subject Tests cost test-takers around $26.”

Conner M. Huey, an admitted student to the Class of 2025, had taken one SAT Subject Test, but not the SAT due to the limited availability of testing centers. He wrote in an email that he had “mixed feelings” about the removal of the Subject Tests.

“In a way, it definitely makes college admissions less driven by test scores and more holistic, which I greatly appreciate,” Huey wrote.

“I am concerned, however, that this will lead to increased stress for students since they may feel the need to compensate for what would have been excellent Subject Test scores,” he added. “In a sense, I think by removing the pressure of more standardized tests for students, I believe another pressure has been amplified.”

—Staff writer Vivi E. Lu can be reached at [email protected].

—Staff writer Dekyi T. Tsotsong can be reached at [email protected].

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SAT Subject Tests + Essay Discontinued: How This Impacts College Admissions

What’s covered:.

  • Major Changes to the SAT
  • Reasons for These Changes
  • How This Will Impact the 2020-2021 Admissions Cycle
  • Which Students Will This Negatively Impact?
  • How Can Students Compensate?

On January 19, 2021, the College Board announced some major changes to the SAT. Here’s a summary of these changes and a deep dive into how they’ll impact college admissions. 

Major Changes to the SAT 

Sat subject tests are discontinued.

SAT Subject Tests will no longer be offered to domestic students, effective immediately. There will still be two more administrations in May and June 2021 for international students. 

Domestic students will have their registration canceled automatically, and they will be refunded.

The College Board states that Subject Tests no longer offer the same value as they once did, as AP exams are now more widely available and cover a greater range of subjects. Eliminating the Subject Tests will also open up seats to students who need to take the SAT (and haven’t had the chance to do so during the pandemic).

Colleges that used to require SAT Subject Tests will decide how to adjust their policy going forward.

The SAT Essay is Discontinued

For similar reasons, the SAT Essay is also no longer offered after June 2021. Only students in select states will have access, if they’re taking the SAT through the SAT School Day program.

Students registered for the Essay in Spring 2021 will have the option to cancel the essay at no extra cost.

The College Board recognizes that there are many other opportunities for students to demonstrate their writing abilities, such as the college essays. The SAT will continue to evaluate writing and editing skills through the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing sections, which are “among the most effective and predictive parts” of the test.

There Will Eventually Be a Fully-Digital SAT

The College Board is making “substantial investments” in developing a digital test, likely encouraged by the pandemic and the difficulty it posed to testing in-person. They state that they will release further details this spring.

Reasons Behind These Changes

Finances and accessibility.

For the College Board, this move is all about finances. Replacing the SAT Subject Tests with AP exams reduces costs. More importantly, it increases revenue because the College Board charges around $30 per SAT Subject Test versus $95 per AP exam. 

By removing Subject Tests, the College Board can save money in administering and scoring the exams, and reduce the operational complexity that goes into setting up testing spaces. Getting rid of the SAT’s essay component makes the test completely multiple-choice, meaning the grading can now be completely automated, and the company saves even more money by not having to pay essay scorers. 

Growing concerns about the SAT catering to more privileged and affluent students may also have factored into this decision. Getting rid of these additional testing requirements may increase perceived accessibility in standardized testing, though students also have unequal access to AP exams. 

The Decline of Subject Tests

Furthermore, SAT Subject Tests were already on the decline. The number of test-takers peaked at 300,000 in 2011, but in recent years, it’s dropped to around 200,000 students. Most universities have eliminated Subject Test requirements, either making the Subject Tests optional or not considering scores at all. Overall, Subject Tests have played less and less of a role in admissions every year, except at the 50-60 most selective colleges in the country. 

The purpose of Subject Tests was to provide another dimension along which colleges could compare applicants. However, top applicants to selective colleges almost always had a score of 750+, usually on multiple exams, so they became less of a competitive advantage and more of a requirement. In addition, the language Subject Tests were mainly being taken by native speakers, which didn’t give colleges helpful information in making admissions decisions, so colleges started to discount strong scores on those exams 

It had reached the point where not taking the Subject Tests could hurt students’ chances of admission, but there was essentially no advantage to having those high scores.

The Redundancy of the SAT Essay

The SAT Essay similarly decreased in importance in the admissions process. On the old version of the SAT (the 2400 point version), the essay used to factor into your overall Writing score. This meant you needed a good score on the essay in order to have a strong Writing score, and a strong SAT score overall. 

Now that the essay is no longer a part of the overall SAT score (on the 1600 point scale), colleges have been giving it less and less weight in the admissions process. The same is true for the ACT essay, and the ACT might end up cancelling its essay section for similar reasons. 

Furthermore, colleges have many other opportunities to evaluate your writing, namely through college essays. Some schools such as Princeton have also started asking for a graded paper as part of the application.

How will this affect the 2021-2022 admissions cycle?

This new policy is going to have a major effect on the 2021-2022 admissions cycle, impacting current juniors and younger students. Due to the pandemic, most universities went test optional or test-blind for the SAT Subject Tests in 2020-2021, meaning they would not require Subject Test scores in the application, and some wouldn’t even consider them if submitted. Given this announcement from the College Board, our projection is that most schools will probably extend these policies moving forward.

Unfortunately if you already have strong SAT Subject Test scores, this means you probably won’t receive much of a boost from them during this admissions cycle.

One thing to keep in mind is that a lot of special programs at colleges do require SAT Subject Tests. These include guaranteed admission medical programs (BS/MD programs) and Honors colleges. If you’re interested in these types of programs, you’ll need to keep close track of their specific policies. Consider reaching out to the program in a couple of months to see where they’re at in terms of accepting and considering Subject Test scores. Some programs might ask for AP score or minimum grades in specific courses in lieu of Subject Tests. 

Which students will this negatively impact?

This policy could potentially harm applicants who were banking on high Subject Test scores to give them a competitive advantage. 

If you are homeschooled or attend a school that doesn’t offer AP classes or has an unknown or uncommon course system, the lack of Subject Tests could affect your application negatively. Subject Tests traditionally provide a standardized metric that helps admissions officers compare students from these backgrounds to the larger applicant pool. However, this method of comparison is now gone, making it harder for applicants in these situations to easily be sized up in the admissions process. 

Similarly, this change may hurt you if your extracurricular profile doesn’t match up with your area of interest in academics, and you plan on relying on Subject Tests to demonstrate your ability in a specific field. Others have used Subject tests to make up for poor grades in a course or even to compensate for a weaker overall GPA. Now that the Subject Test advantage is gone, if you’re in these positions will have to compensate in other areas of their application.

How can students compensate?

With this new policy in mind, AP exams, SAT scores, and essays will now all play a slightly bigger role in the decisions process.

The main alternative to Subject Tests will be AP (or IB) tests, which can showcase expertise in a subject area on a national, standardized scale similar to Subject Tests. The Biology, Chemistry, Physics, U.S. History, and World History AP exams all test at about the same level as their Subject Test counterparts. That said, the tests have different formats, and APs have free response and other question styles while the Subject Tests were multiple choice. But, the material itself is essentially the same. 

However, not all Subject Tests have an AP test equivalent. For instance, the AP Literature exams test at a higher level than the Literature subject test, and has an essay component as well. Similarly, the Math I and II exams cover high school material, from Algebra 2 through Precalculus. The AP math tests, Calc AB, BC, and Statistics, don’t really include Precalculus, and have additional material, meaning they’re not directly comparable. 

For languages, AP tests have a Japanese, German, French, Latin, Italian, Chinese, and two different Spanish exams. This more or less lines up with the Subject Tests, although there is no comparable AP exam for Modern Hebrew and Korean.

Outside of math and literature, you’re not missing out on too much as long as you take the AP exams. However, the stakes will ramp up for AP scores and you’ll want mostly 5’s with minimal 4’s to be competitive at top schools that have historically placed importance on Subject Tests. 

The SAT itself will also carry more weight, so you might want to consider doubling down on increasing your score. 

Furthermore, admissions profiles for super selective schools now have one less data point, so there’s going to be an increase in the importance of the subjective elements of your application. This is largely driven by your essays — so expending extra effort on this portion of your application could help alleviate the lost advantage from Subject Tests. 

If you’re a future college applicant, know that we are in unprecedented times and these policy changes are probably the first of many to come. As you craft your admissions profile, it is important to stay informed about any changes and consider how they might impact you. Stay tuned to CollegeVine on our blog and livestreams , where we’re constantly working to research and interpret the most up-to-date data in our admissions tips to help demystify the admissions process. 

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  • Jan 22, 2021

The SAT Essay & Subject Tests Have Been Permanently Canceled: What That Means for You

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The College Board has had a rough year.

The organization, which develops and administers standardized tests like the SAT and AP tests, has faced significant test cancellations due to COVID-19. In response to this, universities around the country suspended their test requirement - a move many predict may endure even after the pandemic is under control.

With demand for even the ever-popular SAT test waning, the College Board announced on Tuesday that it is discontinuing all SAT Subject Tests, as well as the SAT’s optional essay. Whether you’re a student, parent, or college counselor, you may be wondering what this news means for you, so let me answer some important questions.

What’s an SAT Subject Test anyway?

In the olden times (before this Tuesday), the College Board offered SAT Subject Tests in addition to the SAT. Unlike the SAT, which is meant to be more holistic, Subject Tests were offered in specific subjects like Literature, Biology, and Spanish.

While many colleges made taking the SAT a requirement, taking a Subject Test was mostly optional. They were most useful to students who wanted to demonstrate their skills in specific subject areas beyond what colleges could already see in high school transcripts and AP scores.

Many made the argument that because AP classes have become so widely available, Subject Tests have been rendered obsolete (the College Board acknowledges this opinion in their announcement ).

What changes now that Subject Tests have been discontinued?

As I mentioned earlier, Subjects Tests were not generally a requirement for college applications anyway, so not much will change. The primary effect is that colleges will now place more emphasis on other test scores, particularly AP and IB. With those kinds of tests now the only way to demonstrate subject-specific expertise, being diligent in those courses and preparing well for the tests will be more important than it’s been in the past.

What if I’ve already registered to take a Subject Test this year?

The May and June 2021 Subject Tests have been canceled, so the College Board will be automatically refunding registration fees. You may want to speak with a college counselor to determine the best plan to demonstrate your skills to colleges in other ways.

What about the SAT Essay? Wasn’t it optional to begin with?

Well, in the truly olden times (when I took the SAT), the Essay portion of the test was mandatory. However, in 2016, the College Board changed the SAT and began offering the Essay as an optional add-on. Many colleges - especially the more selective ones - opted to keep the SAT Essay as an application requirement, so many students still completed it.

What effect will eliminating the Essay have?

The most obvious change is that colleges that once required the Essay will now have to drop the requirement and assess students’ writing abilities in other ways. This may include putting more emphasis on grades in English classes and performance on the Literature and Composition AP tests. It may also manifest in college applications with more long-answer questions and/or larger word-count requirements.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the fact that the College Board is discontinuing the SAT Essay and Subject Tests means a simplified college application process. Now students applying to college don’t have to worry about as many moving parts as they did before. However, as I’ve explained throughout this post, when colleges eliminate requirements that let students show particular skills, they’ll be looking for those skills in other places, like grades, AP test scores, and application essays. It’s up to the college-bound student to make sure they’re putting their best foot forward in those areas more than ever before.

If you read this post and thought Oh man - more emphasis on grades and AP scores is the last thing I need right now , reach out to the experts at ThinquePrep. Our Academic Tutoring services and AP Review Classes can help you get where you need to be.

Nina Calabretta is a college English instructor, tutor, and writer native to Orange County, CA. When she’s not writing or helping students improve their skills as readers, writers, and critical thinkers, she can be found hiking the local trails with friends and family or curled up with a good book and her cat, Betsy. She has been part of the ThinquePrep team since 2018.

With offices located in beautiful Orange County, ThinquePrep specializes in the personalized mentorship of students and their families through the entire college preparation process and beyond. With many recent changes to college admissions - standardized tests, financial aid, varied admissions processes - the educational landscape has never been more competitive or confusing. We’re here from the first summer program to the last college acceptance letter. It’s never too early to start thinking about your student’s future, so schedule your complimentary consultation today!

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Sat subject tests are cancelled: what that means for you.

In January 2021, the College Board announced the cancellation of SAT Subject Tests and the optional essay section of the SAT for college-bound students in the United States. These tests will be discontinued internationally after June 2021. In the announcement, the College Board explained, “The pandemic accelerated a process already underway…to reduce and simplify demands on students.”

Reduced and simplified demands sound great, but what do all of these changes mean for you and your college applications? Keep reading to find out!

SAT Subject Tests Are Cancelled: What Should You Do?

Click above to watch a video on SAT Subject Tests.

What are the SAT Subject Tests?

SAT Subject Tests are college admissions exams focused on specific subjects. They allow students to showcase their strengths, especially in areas of interest. Each test is an hour long, and all questions are multiple choice. The tests are scored on a 200-800 scale.

The SAT Subject Tests include:

  • Math Level 1
  • Math Level 2
  • Biology E/M
  • U.S. History
  • World History
  • Spanish with Listening
  • French with Listening
  • Chinese with Listening
  • German with Listening
  • Modern Hebrew
  • Japanese with Listening
  • Korean with Listening

Prior to the College Board announcement, only a few schools required SAT Subject Tests. Some recommended that applicants take the SAT Subject Tests, while others were willing to consider them in admissions decisions.

Why were the SAT Subject Tests important?

If you were planning to take an SAT Subject Test(s) to strengthen your college applications, you might find this news stressful or worrisome. Take comfort in the fact that SAT Subject Tests were never one of the most significant parts of the application. Only a handful of schools required them, and very few schools even recommended them.

Of course, many schools were willing to consider SAT Subject Tests when reviewing applications. For some students, these tests were an important way to highlight areas of strength not adequately covered by the regular SAT. Other students used SAT Subject Tests to show off unique skills, like being fluent in Hebrew or Chinese.

Ultimately, the SAT Subject Tests provided an opportunity to differentiate yourself from other students and showcase your abilities. Fortunately, college applications present many other ways to accomplish these goals.

Why did the College Board cancel the SAT Subject Tests?

The College Board listed several reasons for cancelling the SAT Subject Tests.

Limiting Demands

As mentioned above, one reason was to limit the demands placed on high school students , especially during the stress and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result of the pandemic, test dates have been frequently postponed or cancelled, leaving students scrambling to complete required exams. Dropping the Subject Tests means students have fewer exams to worry about. The College Board also plans to allocate seats that would have gone to students taking the Subject Tests to students who still need to take the regular SAT.

Additionally, many colleges have taken measures to alleviate student stress by eliminating exam requirements and/or extending deadlines. It makes sense for the College Board to follow suit.

Other Ways to “Show What You Know”

Next, the College Board mentioned that the expanded availability of AP tests means Subject Tests “are no longer necessary for students to show what they know.” Similarly, the College Board stated, the optional Essay component of the SAT is unnecessary because “there are other ways for students to demonstrate their mastery of essay writing.”

In recent years, SAT Subject Tests have become less and less popular as more colleges have stopped requiring or recommending them. Schools are trying to make the college application process easier and more accessible, and many students don’t have the time, transportation, money, or family support to take an excessive number of exams. Colleges can get a solid understanding of a student’s academic ability based on transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and IB/AP exams.

With the popularity of SAT Subject Tests waning, it’s likely a smart business decision for the College Board to move forward without them.

Developing a More Flexible SAT

Finally, the College Board plans to invest more resources into developing a more flexible SAT , described as “a streamlined, digitally delivered test that meets the evolving needs of students and higher education.”

Moving forward, the College Board is focused on becoming more innovative and adaptive. Students still need the SAT as a way to show their strengths to colleges, but the College Board wants to find more flexible, student-centered ways of doing so. Reducing the number of College Board tests frees up more time and money for investing in this new endeavor.

Get personalized advice!

Will i get a refund for the sat subject tests that i registered for.

Yes. If you registered for an SAT Subject Test in the United States that is now cancelled, you don’t need to take any action. The College Board will automatically cancel your registration and send you a full refund.

If you’ve already spent time studying for the Subject Test, you may feel disappointed or frustrated. Keep in mind that you still sharpened your knowledge of a subject you’ll need in college. Plus, you had an opportunity to practice your study skills—something else you’ll definitely need in college.

When will the last SAT Subject Test be?

In the United States, no more SAT Subject Tests will be administered. For students in international locations, however, there will be two more administrations in May and June of 2021. This is because the Subject Tests are used for a wider range of purposes internationally.

If you are an international student who no longer wants to take the Subject Test, you may call College Board’s customer service and cancel your registration for a full refund.

Will colleges accept the SAT Subject Tests I already took?

Most likely. According to the College Board, member schools have been contacted. It’s up to the individual schools whether and how they will consider an applicant’s SAT Subject Test scores.

Schools don’t like to penalize you for circumstances beyond your control, and you took the Subject Test with no idea that it would later be cancelled. It’s likely that most colleges who previously considered Subject Test scores will still review and consider your scores this year. For more specific information, contact the schools you’re applying to and ask how they will handle SAT Subject Test scores.

What if a college I’m interested in requires/recommends SAT Subject Tests?

Very few colleges continue to require or recommend SAT Subject Tests. If a school you’re interested in applying to is an exception, don’t worry. They will have to drop the recommendation or requirement, since any student who hasn’t already taken an SAT Subject Test will be unable to complete it.

If you’ve already taken a Subject Test(s), they’re likely to still consider it, as mentioned above. The good news is that if you’re unhappy with your score, you no longer need to include it on any of your college applications. And if you are happy with your score, you may still be able to get a small boost out of it.

Will colleges accept the SAT Essay I already wrote?

Like the SAT Subject Tests, it will be up to individual schools how they want to handle the SAT Essay moving forward. Again, most schools will probably be willing to consider your score if you’ve already written the Essay. (Of course, this is not true for colleges who have never considered the Essay.)

Students can still take the SAT with Essay through June 2021. After that, it will only be available in states where it’s required for SAT School Day administrations. If you’re currently registered for the SAT with Essay, you can cancel the Essay portion free of charge at any time.

Does cancelling the SAT Subject Tests make the regular SAT more important?

Yes. With fewer exams to showcase your abilities, the exams you still have become more important. This is especially true of the SAT, which has always played a major role in the college admissions process.

With the SAT sure to carry more weight in the future, you may want to invest more time in studying and increasing your score as much as possible.

Does cancelling the SAT Subject Tests make AP classes and exams more important?

AP classes and exams will also become more important with the cancellation of the SAT Subject Tests. AP/IB exams are the closest alternative to Subject Tests, since they are also standardized exams focused on specific subject areas.

Many Subject Tests even have an AP/IB equivalent, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English Literature, U.S. History, and World History. There are also AP exams for most of the languages covered by the Subject Tests, with the exception of Korean and Modern Hebrew.

AP/IB exams have already become more important than SAT Subject Tests in recent years, so this trend will only continue. These exams are now your primary way to highlight specific strengths, especially those not tested by the regular SAT.

Does cancelling the SAT Essay make college application essays more important?

Yes, your college application essays are now more important too. They give colleges insight into your writing skills that may once have come from the SAT Essay.

Plus, now that colleges have fewer data points to consider, selective schools will likely place increased emphasis on the subjective parts of your application, primarily the essay. Take extra time and effort with your essays, and be sure to have a second, third, or even fourth pair of eyes review your work.

Who benefits from the cancellation of the SAT Subject Tests?

For some students, the cancellation of the SAT Subject Tests is highly beneficial. If you aren’t a strong test-taker, for example, this change is good news for you. Additionally, the cancellation benefits students who perform better on the regular SAT, which now becomes more important.

It’s also helpful if you’re on a college application time crunch and weren’t sure how you’d fit Subject Tests into your busy schedule.

Of course, some students may still feel disappointed or worry that these changes put them at a disadvantage. Below, we’ll highlight what you can do now if you’re a freshman , sophomore , or junior to offset the Subject Test cancellation.

What should freshmen do now that SAT Subject Tests are cancelled?

If you’re a freshman, you have plenty of time to take AP or IB classes and tests as alternatives to the SAT Subject Tests. Consider your strengths, then enroll in rigorous classes that will help you showcase them to colleges. As a freshman, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Take a couple of AP classes now and see how it goes, then enroll in more in the future if you’re ready. You should also use AP classes as a way to show that you’re well-rounded and have the ability to excel in multiple areas.

Next, begin strengthening the subjective portions of your college resume. Participate in extracurricular activities in your areas of strength and interest. Pursue leadership roles when possible. Similarly, work on honing your writing skills and building strong relationships with teachers at your school.

Eventually, you’ll need to prioritize studying for the SAT. For now, simply pay attention in your classes, take notes, and don’t be afraid to ask for extra help and support in subjects you find challenging.

What should sophomores do now that SAT Subject Tests are cancelled?

Like freshmen, you should take AP/IB classes and put significant effort into studying for your exams. Continue to pursue extracurricular activities and leadership roles. Build your writing skills and develop positive relationships with teachers.

Study for the PSAT 10 if it’s offered at your school, and use the information in your score report to start thinking about how you’ll approach studying for the SAT. Remember that these new changes mean your AP/IB classes, extracurricular involvement, essays, recommendation letters, and regular SAT have become more important.

What should juniors do now that SAT Subject Tests are cancelled?

Keep taking AP/IB classes, particularly in areas of strength you hoped to emphasize with SAT Subject Tests. Stick with the extracurriculars you’re already involved in, or add more if you haven’t been very involved up to this point. Seek leadership roles, which should be easier to obtain now that you have some level of seniority.

Focus on building positive relationships with your teachers. The teachers you have during junior year are the best choices to write your recommendation letters, since they’ve taught you most recently and for a full academic year (unlike your senior year teachers).

Start thinking about your college application essay, and consider enrolling in a college essay bootcamp. Similarly, study in earnest for the PSAT. Use the score report to create a personalized SAT study plan, and take your first official SAT as soon as you feel ready. It’s best to take your first SAT before the end of your fall semester junior year.

Plan to take the SAT two or three times total to get the highest score possible. Of course, it’s only useful to take the test again if you use your first experience to gain information about areas of weakness and make improvements. Get extra support from an SAT tutor or test preparation course if you’re unhappy with your initial score and unsure how to make significant gains.

Will the SAT Subject Tests ever come back?

The College Board has not indicated any plans to renew SAT Subject Tests in the future. Of course, things could change depending on how students and colleges adjust to the latest College Board updates.

With the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, it’s important to keep in mind that policy changes may come and go over the next several months. We’ll be here to make sure you stay informed about any future changes and how they impact you.

Final Thoughts: SAT Subject Tests Are Cancelled

The College Board will no longer administer SAT Subject Tests or the optional Essay portion of the regular SAT. Subject Tests are cancelled in the U.S. effective immediately, while international students will have until June 2021 to take them. The SAT with Essay is available until June 2021. After that, it will only be available in states where it’s required for SAT School Day administrations.

These changes were a response to changing needs due to the pandemic. The College Board wanted to reduce demands on students, and it also reasoned that AP exams provide another way for students to showcase their subject-specific strengths and skills.

If you’ve already registered for a Subject Test, your registration will be cancelled, and you’ll receive a refund. You can take the Essay portion of the SAT through June, but you’re also free to cancel it any time at no cost. If you’ve already taken the Subject Test or the Essay, colleges may still consider it this year. To be sure, you’ll need to contact the colleges you’re interested in and ask, since it will be up to each school individually.

Ultimately, these changes will add more weight to other portions of your application, including the SAT, AP/IB exams, and the college application essay. Study harder, get more support if you need it, and remember to put plenty of time and effort into these elements of the application.

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SAT Cancellation | Weigh Your Options and Priorities Based on Our Guide

Are you scheduled to take the SATs today, but need to request SAT cancellation for reasons like bad weather, health emergencies, or sickness, how do you go about it? Just what most students who were planning to take the SATs in 2021 found out, the covid19 pandemic brought about multiple rescheduling of test dates by the College Board.

The College Board allows students to cancel their test date, but there are some considerations and rules to follow.

So what is the step to cancel your registration? Does the College Board allow students to skip test day and reschedule? What circumstances does the College Board cancel SAT test day automatically? Where do they announce this?

All these questions answered below...

College Board Can Cancel Test Dates at the Test Center

The College Board test center cancels the SATs for a particular test date due to power failure, natural disaster, inclement weather, and other similar reasons.

The College Board posts all information about sudden changes on the  Test Center Closings  page. This is also where you'd be able to see an alternate test center or SAT makeup date.

In these instances, the rescheduled SAT would have no additional fees.  And students do not have to fulfill any form anymore.

How to Request for an SAT Cancellation

For students, SAT cancellation can refer to three things:

1. Students Cancel the test date

The College Board doesn't really require long explanations why you need to cancel a test date. But if you face an emergency or other unforeseen reasons that render you unable to take the SAT at the test center on the day of your test, you can request a change in test date (with a fee).

This is also the case if you arrive late at the test center, you no longer need to re-register. A simple request to change in test schedule will do.

If you know days before that you cannot make the test date, check the deadline on your Admission Ticket to see if you can still reschedule without paying a fee.

If you are going to miss the SATs and prefer not to reschedule anymore, you might be eligible for a partial or full refund depending on how many days before the test day you requested cancellation and if you had other special requests (such as rush test scores or additional score reports).

2. Students Request to Cancel SAT Scores

If you took the SAT and felt you didn't do your best, you can make a request to cancel your score submission. On the other hand, top SAT prep courses here or SAT prep books listed in this review will help you not having to resort to that. Do note that once you do this, canceled SAT scores will not be found in your SAT dashboard, nor will they be sent to your preferred colleges or reinstated if you change your mind.

Here's one important detail: You must submit your cancellation request no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the Thursday after your test day.

To cancel, you have two options:

Submit request at the test center

Students can immediately request cancellation right after their test. Just ask for a "Request to Cancel Test Scores" form from the test coordinator. Fill out and sign the form, then give it back to the coordinator before leaving the test center.

Sometimes, the coordinator may allow you to cancel hours later on the same day of your test, as long as it is still business hours.

Submit cancelation request after leaving the test center

You can still access the  SAT Request to Cancel Scores form (.pdf/109 KB)  online. This page is available to anyone who needs it, but you must download, fill out, and sign the form quickly since the College Board must receive your request no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the Thursday after the test day.

The form will ask you the following information: test date, test center number, name of the test (either SAT or SAT subject test), name, address, gender, birth date, and registration number. No need to give your phone number, but the College Board will not process your request if the form has no signature.

Because your signature is required, the form cannot be sent via e-mail or phone. Instead, you have the option to fax or send via courier.

  • Fax the form via 610-290-8978
  • Send a printed form by courier
  • For US students, you need to send the form using overnight delivery via U.S. Postal Service Express Mail. Address it to: "Attention: SAT Score Cancellation - P.O. Box 6228, Princeton, NJ 08541-6228"
  • For international students, send the form using another overnight mail service or courier and address it to: "Attention: SAT Score Cancellation - 1425 Lower Ferry Road, Ewing, NJ 08618"

3. Students Cancel SAT Subject Tests Scores

High school students are taught to be proactive in taking the SATs because colleges usually refer to SAT scores during admissions. Having your SAT taken and scores received early gives you an advantage since you'd still have time to re-take the entire standardized test if you wanted to.

SAT subject test scores are designed to measure a student's knowledge in specific areas, such as SAT Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, U.S. History, World History, Literature, Math Levels 1/2, Foreign Language.

This is why the SAT allows students to pick and choose which SAT subject tests to retake. If they felt that their math section needs improvement (especially if they decide on engineering or IT courses), taking math-only subject tests would be helpful to one's career path.

When it comes to canceling specific SAT subject test scores, students should also follow the same steps as canceling SAT scores (see #2).

How do you Get a Refund for the SAT?

Students may be given a refund after cancellation, but it is important to check these guidelines:

  • Registrations cannot be refunded starting at 5 days before your test day
  • Generally, all students eligible for refunds receive $10 back.
  • Refunds are processed about 6 weeks after the test day
  • Refunds are not available for rush score reports and other special requests.  However, canceled additional report orders may be given a refund on a case-to-case basis.
  • Refunds will be made in the original form of payment (checks if you paid by check, cashback if you paid via credit card, etc.)

If you have a specific question about canceling SATs, you have the option of calling customer service via the contact us page .

College Board Permanent Cancellations

Some service cancellations are permanent.

On January 19, 2021, College Board cancelled SAT Subject Tests in the United States. The tests will be discontinued for international students as well after June 2021.

SAT Subject Tests

Students who are currently registered for an upcoming Subject Test in the U.S. (and outside the U.S.) can still be allowed to take the test until the June 2021 administration. But if you prefer not to, and would rather get a refund for $26/subject, then you may contact customer service to close your cancel request.

SAT with Essay

The SAT Essay, which used to be a big part of the SATs and became optional recently, will also be discontinued completely after the June 2021 administration. Canceling this is easier because as long as you have an SAT account, you can cancel your SAT essay from the portal without any change fees. Just make sure you do this before the registration deadline.

Any student who has already taken the SAT may still be able to get better scores at a later test. However, when you decide to cancel your SAT or scores, make sure you have weighed your options and priorities first.

Did you just plan to re-schedule your SAT test day and take the test at a later date? Changing dates can be cheaper, and if you're lucky, the fees may even be waived completely.

Did you really intend to scrape your current registrations and just register for an SAT test in the future again? This decision could affect your current application with your chosen colleges, so make sure to check the deadline of college admissions before canceling anything.

Leonard Haggin

I created this site to help students like you learn from the experiences my team had learned during our extensive academic careers. I am now studying Law at Stanford, but I also make time to write articles here in order to help all you fellow students advance in your academic careers and beyond. I hope our efforts on Study Prep Lounge will arm you with the knowledge you need to overcome whatever trial or test you find in front of you.

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Big changes are coming to the SAT, and not everyone is happy. What students should know.

sat essay canceled

Last fall, a junior named Mia approached Candice Mackey with an unusual request: She wanted to take the SAT – typically administered at her school in the spring – a few months early. Mia was one of several juniors to broach the idea with Mackey.

Mackey coordinates testing at the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES) and is also the public magnet school’s only college counselor. Normally, she’d discourage her students from taking the standardized exam prematurely. She’d want them to fulfill their maximum potential, to pack in as much test prep as possible before they take the high-pressure ( if now largely optional ) assessment. 

But this time, she understood the students' concerns: Starting in March, the SAT will be digital . The traditional paper-and-pencil format is no longer available, with rare exceptions for students with visual impairments, severe reading disabilities or other documented challenges. 

Mia, who asked to use her first name only to avoid harming her college prospects, said she has eye problems and gets headaches when she stares at a screen for an extended period. The materials she’s been using to train since middle school, including Preliminary SATs (PSAT) and practice SATs, were almost always in paper format. There are relatively few digital prep materials. 

Other students expressed similar concerns, Mackey said. 

“They felt an urgency ... to take the paper exam,” she said, knowing that they won’t have that option anymore. 

The new format comes amid fierce debates over whether colleges should consider students’ race in admissions , and after some colleges reinstated the test score requirement .

Some say the new SAT could make college admissions even messier. 

The College Board, the organization that administers the SAT, believes digitization is for the better – that societal changes demand the modern format and that students are ready and eager to enter a new electronic era. Educators, test-prep experts and youth advocates, however, are worried the digital rollout could make the admissions process more precarious. They say many students, especially those without the means or savvy to keep up with the latest developments, are ill-prepared for what's to come. 

“This past year, a lot of big changes have happened too quickly,” said Diane Barnett, a consultant with the online education provider Knovva Academy.

How is the SAT changing in 2024?

The digital SAT launched internationally last year, and the digital PSAT debuted in the U.S. last fall. This spring when students in the U.S. will take the SAT using their personal or school-provided laptops or tablets, via an app called Bluebook . 

While the College Board says the scores will be comparable , the new exam isn’t just an on-screen version of the paper-and-pencil test from years past. Test takers will experience something fundamentally different in several ways .

A key change is that the new test is what the College Board describes as “adaptive” in nature. Both the math and reading sections will be divided into two parts. A student’s performance in the first part of each section will determine the difficulty level of the second part that shows up on their screen. 

The second half of the test will either be harder or easier than the first half, depending on a student's performance. If a test taker breezes through the first half of the math questions, the second half of that person’s test be more difficult. For a test-taker who struggles during the first half, the second half will be easier. In both scenarios, a person’s scores will be calibrated based on the questions’ difficulty.

This system benefits students who have studied, are good at test-taking and are unintimidated by difficult questions. And psychologically, test-prep experts say, it could benefit students who are prone to botching their performance when faced with questions too hard for them because they'll perform better with a second set that’s more manageable. 

But the adaptive functionality could disadvantage others, educators say, like students who simply have bad luck with the first half and are forced into getting to a lower-than-expected score because they won’t get as many points with an easier second half. 

Adaptive testing allows the College Board to more quickly assess what an individual is capable of – it doesn’t waste time asking the student questions that are too easy or too hard for their performance level. 

That efficiency allows for the second major difference in the digital SAT: At a little more than two hours, it’s roughly an hour shorter than the last iteration, which was launched in 2016. With the digital SAT, students will get more time per question. Math questions will be explained more concisely than before, and reading passages will also be shorter. 

The format works better for testers, said Priscilla Rodriguez, the College Board’s senior vice president of college readiness assessments. The organization ran pilot programs, she said, and “what students are telling us is … they feel less tired, less rushed and less freaked out.” 

SAT is going digital: Exam will be online-only, shorter as colleges ditch standardized tests

SAT registration deadline is coming up, but lots of students unaware of changes

The deadline to register for the March SAT is in just a few weeks, on Feb. 23. 

“It’s not on everyone’s radar,” said Knovva Academy’s Barnett. “A lot of kids … are really going to be surprised by it and have not had time to practice that calculator in the app or to figure out how to get their own (device). And that will adversely affect them.”

The College Board first announced the move to digital two years ago. It has partnered with Khan Academy, which provides free online learning resources, to disseminate materials and help students prepare for the digital SAT. The College Board also provides four free full-length digital practice tests via its Bluebook app. 

Rodriguez feels confident that word has spread far and wide and assured that the exam will continue to improve to meet applicants’ needs.

“My hope is that students who are about to engage with this new SAT … know what to expect, they know what’s coming; they know it’s shorter, they know how to practice,” she said. “Given this is a test that can open up a lot of doors for them, it might as well be the best possible test.”

Still, counselors say news about the digital-only test likely hasn’t reached many students, especially those who live in rural or high-poverty communities and have less access to people in the know.

The rationale for changing an admissions exam

Mackey, at LACES, says the benefits of the new format are evident, at least for people like her who will administer it. 

The traditional exam necessitated piles of paper materials being shipped to schools or centers and locked up before test day, a cumbersome process that allowed would-be cheaters easier access to booklets beforehand. 

With the digital format, students will take the exam on their own devices, and each test taker will see a unique sequence of questions, making it more difficult to cheat. 

Many educators are optimistic because the new test takes into consideration accessibility issues and students’ well-being. The fact that it’s shorter and adaptive makes it less stressful for students, Rodriguez said. 

The shorter prompts make the 2024 test more manageable for students who are learning English. The app and the built-in calculator students can use on the math questions feel more intuitive to a digital-native generation, according to some educators and students.

Lujain Malash, 17, a high school senior in Egypt who has taken the digital SAT several times, disliked that her performance in the first half determined the difficulty level of the second: “The worst part is that depending on how you do in the first part ... if you don’t do well you don’t end up with a really good score.” 

But Malash said the shorter length makes it worth it. As someone who prefers math over reading, she felt the briefer passages are “more relaxed” than the longer, paper-format ones.

While the digital exam may be more convenient and secure, Mackey and other observers say those improvements could make success more uneven as it’s rolled out. 

Admissions tests have long been criticized as being a better measurement of students’ wealth than of their competence or potential. Since so much of the exam necessitates strategies such as intelligent guessing and time management, teens with the means to enroll in expensive test prep services are better equipped to score well than students who are just as smart but haven’t had the time or resources for practice. 

“Practice makes perfect – there is something to that,” said Charles Lang, senior executive director of the Digital Futures Institute at Columbia University’s Teachers College. “Getting a scenario that you can practice in that is as similar to the actual event is a very important factor” in achieving a high score. He said it’s problematic that the College Board is pitching this new test’s scoring system as essentially the same as the old one’s: “I don’t think it’s quite as straightforward as they’re painting it.”

Are SAT scores fair? New exam faces ongoing equity concerns

Some College Board skeptics, like Akil Bello of the advocacy group FairTest, say the digital SAT doesn’t do anything to address the exam’s inherent inequities and may make student performance more uneven.

“Theoretically, digital testing is better; theoretically, (the College Board has) prepared schools and provided guidance,” Bello said. “But I’m concerned about the practical realities and the differences between what your ideal school has and what the common school has.” 

On a basic level, people need technology to take the new test.

The exam requires that each student have a device and reliable broadband. Two-thirds of students take the SAT on campus during class time, and many students use devices provided by their schools, but huge gaps remain in terms of which districts have access to adequate infrastructure for administering the new SAT. 

What happens if, say, a rural school has faulty broadband service and there’s no IT person on staff on a day when troubleshooting is needed? What if a student doesn’t have consistent access to a device on which they can practice, that comes with the app downloaded on it? 

Judy Henriquez, the director for career and college counseling at the Bronx Center for Science & Mathematics (BXCSM) in New York City, said the Chromebooks provided by the school can be unreliable and students can have unstable internet access. Because of the issues, many teachers choose not to do computer-based testing in their own English language arts and history classes, for example.

Ama Oduro, a 17-year-old senior at Henriquez’s school, said she frequently struggles to sign in or access assignments on the Chromebooks. The malfunctions suck up a lot of class time. Even if the school manages to troubleshoot problems that arise on a test day, and the new format doesn't require a continuous connection to proceed, a flustered student might struggle to concentrate for the rest of the exam.

“Certain people who are not built for testing are, in a way, excluded,” she said. 

If students can’t get a testing device from their school, the College Board says it will send a loaner to the campus. But navigating an unfamiliar computer can be overwhelming and glitchy for anyone, educators noted, especially for someone taking a stressful test.

Others are concerned about the adaptive nature of the assessment. There’s little clarity about how the change-as-you-go tests will be scored or about the implications of the adaptive model for applicants. 

“My number one concern about going digital is that there’s not an option to have it on paper as well,” said Mackey, the educator in Los Angeles. “I just don't think that it is in the best interest of students to only have it in that format.” 

Is the SAT making a comeback in college admissions?

Since the pandemic, the vast majority of colleges no longer require applicants to submit standardized test scores. The trend toward de-emphasizing the SAT began before COVID-19 and it became the default policy when circumstances made access to in-person exams difficult. 

Fausto Rivera, a 17-year-old senior at BXCSM, is grateful colleges are less interested in test scores, which he sees as a misleading and unfair “way to analyze students’ potential and … control students’ future.” Last spring, Rivera took the paper SAT, having never practiced because of his work and family obligations. He was curious about how he’d fare. 

His score reinforced for him that the SAT was “not really measuring your capacity.” A student could be having a bad day. People who buckle under pressure or who can’t pay for expensive test prep seem fated to perform poorly on the exam, he said.

A few schools are returning to the test requirement. Dartmouth on Monday became the first Ivy League institution to reinstate it . The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Georgetown, which are Ivy-adjacent, already returned to requiring it for applicants. They’ve often cited research suggesting the scores are more predictive of college success than grades, which are sometimes inflated.

The College Board, meanwhile, is eager to remain relevant as it continues to compete with the ACT. The digital format is one lever for boosting its market share, according to Lisa Speransky, whose company, Ivy Tutors Network, works with students from a broad range of backgrounds. The ACT will offer a digital version beginning this year but it will continue administering the paper option as well. 

Henriquez has embraced the fact that many colleges are distancing themselves from admissions exams. She has intentionally de-emphasized test prep when counseling her predominantly low-income students at BXCSM.

She saw how fixated they’d become on getting a good score, on how quickly they lost sight of the parts of learning she thinks truly matter – the essays where they could describe their passions, the after-school activities where they could explore new hobbies, the community service where they could help families like their own. 

“They thought (the SAT) was the only way they could get into a ‘good’ school,” she said. “I hated what they were giving up.”

More changes to college admissions: What students can expect after Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action

Disrupting the fixation on the Ivy League, ‘elite’ colleges

Swaths of students still place immense weight on the exam even though it is largely optional at the most selective of institutions. Nearly 2 million high school seniors took the test during the last school year, the highest number since the start of the pandemic and just a hair short of the record rate – 2.2 million members of the Class of 2019. For comparison, roughly 2.5 million freshmen enrolled in a college or university in the fall of 2019 , while 2.3 million enrolled in the fall of 2022. 

Bello and others said the hullabaloo about the new SAT format distracts from a more pressing concern: students’ ongoing fixation on highly selective – or, as they put it “highly rejective” – schools.

“I worry about students who think that those top 10 or 15 schools are the only schools and that they won’t be successful if they don’t end up there,” Barnett said. “There is a school out there for everyone. It’s OK if you haven’t heard of it yet. It’s OK if it’s not what your parents want on their bumper sticker.”

Contact Alia Wong at (202) 507-2256 or [email protected]. Follow her on X at @aliaemily.

PrepScholar

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to cancel your sat registration and test.

SAT Logistics

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You registered for the SAT, but as test day draws near, you find that you don’t want to take the test anymore! You may want to take the ACT instead, or maybe you decided to opt out of the SAT altogether and apply to colleges that don’t require you to report SAT scores. But what can you do?

Well, first, don't panic!

We at PrepScholar noticed how hard it was to find this information online, so we put it all together for you in one place.

Here are some things you need to consider:

  • Can you cancel the SAT test?
  • Can you get your money back?
  • Will this go on your permanent record?
  • Do you need to cancel your SAT to change your test date?

Canceling Your SAT Without a Refund

If you don't want to take the test on a certain day and you don't want to reschedule , then to cancel the test , all you need to do is not show up on test day. The College Board emphatically states that it is not necessary to notify them of this. And they also note that no score reports will be sent out as a result.

Your no-show will not show up on your record. Because the College Board will count it as a missed test, which could happen for any number of reasons, they do not keep records of who misses their tests. The way they see it, you paid the fees already, and if you miss the test, then that's on you.

This is good, because it means there's only one thing you have to do to cancel your SAT. Just don’t show up for the test. However, if you do this, you won't get a refund for the test you missed. If you're interested in getting some of your money back, keep reading.

dollar_bill_origami.jpg

Canceling Your SAT With a Partial Refund

Unfortunately, no matter how early you cancel your SAT registration, you won't get a full refund. Therefore, it's best to hold off on actually completing the online registration in the first place until you’re absolutely sure you want to take the test on that date. Once you've registered, at best, you'll only get a small part of your money back.

How Do You Get the Refund?

The College Board states that students who don't want to transfer their registration to another test date or location should contact Customer Service. We’ve included the Customer Service information below for your convenience.

If you call Customer Service, it’s possible you may receive a partial refund of up to $10. (The full price you paid for the SAT is $46, or $60 with the essay, so they refund you only about 1/5 of the total.) In order to get the refund, you must call at least five days before your exam date. After that, there's no chance of a refund.

Remember, once you call and cancel, there is no going back - you will not be able to take the test on that test date and the College Board will not report the scores from this test date.

Refunding Question and Answer Service

If you ordered the Question and Answer Service but are now canceling your SAT registration, it's also possible to get that fee refunded. To get the refund, you must call Customer Service. Any additional score reports that you ordered are also refundable if you were absent the day of the test.

Refunds are processed six weeks after the test date.

Is There a Difference Between Canceling and Not Taking the Test?

According to the College Board, there is no actual difference between calling and canceling your SAT and not taking the SAT on test day. In other words, whichever action you decide to take, their records of you will not show any difference.

The only difference is monetary. If you call in to cancel at least five days before, you may get a partial refund ($10). Perhaps just as importantly, canceling means that you may get refunded for any additional services you paid for, like QAS.

Changing Your SAT Exam Date

Remember, you should only cancel your SAT if you don't ever plan on taking another SAT. If all you want to do is change the date of your SAT, you don't need to cancel your test to do that. However, there is a fee for rescheduling your SAT (although it's less than canceling your SAT and registering for a new test).

It costs $29 to reschedule your SAT, and you can do this anytime, even after your original test date (as long as you didn't show up for it).

We have an entire guide on how to reschedule your SAT , but below are the key steps to take:

  • Sign in to your College Board account.
  • On the “My SAT” page, you’ll see the tests you’re registered for. Click “Change Registration” under the test that you want to reschedule.
  • You’ll next see a new page with your SAT admission ticket information on it. At the bottom of the page, click “Change my test date.”
  • You’ll be brought to a new page where, under “Test Date”, you can see the new SAT date(s) you can change to. Select the one that works best for you.
  • Next select your test center, confirm your personal information is correct, and pay the reschedule fee.
  • When you’re finished, you’ll receive an email confirmation and a new admission ticket with your updated test date.

How to Contact College Board Customer Service

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By online form: Contact CollegeBoard Online Here

By telephone (the best and fastest way to get a response).

Domestic : 866-756-7346

International: 212-713-7789

Services for students with disabilities : 212-713-8333

TTY (for deaf or hearing impaired) Domestic : 888-857-247

TTY (for deaf or hearing impaired) International : 609-882-4118

To go over your options once more, here's what you can do to cancel your SAT test.

Canceling before the test: If you cancel up to 5 days before the test date, then it's possible to get a refund up to $10, plus the QAS or score reports refunded.

Day of the test: If you simply do not show up to the test and cancel by default, then you do not get any test refund, but you can still cancel the QAS for your 'missed test'.

After you take the test: If you want to cancel after taking the test, then you should look into How to Cancel Your SAT Scores . There is a strict deadline on this, so make sure you send them the cancellation before midnight, the Wednesday after your test.

What’s Next?

If you want to re-register for the SAT, then check out Step-by-Step Guide with Pictures SAT Registration.

Needed to cancel because of the test location? Then check out How You Can Pick the Best SAT Test Locations.

Maybe you’re not sure whether you want to take the SAT, but keep in mind Future Years’ SAT Test Dates, Schedules, and Deadlines

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Get eBook: 5 Tips for 160+ Points

Anna graduated from MIT where she honed her research interests in Earth Science and Social/Political Science. She has years of tutoring experience, loves watching students learn and grow, and strongly believes that education is the cornerstone of our society. She is passionate about science, books, and non-profit work.

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The SAT Announces Cancellation Of Essay & Subject Tests

  • Updated On December 15, 2023
  • Published In SAT 👩‍🎓

The results of the SAT, a standardised test, are essential for your entry to some of the most prestigious universities in the USA and Canada. It assesses an individual’s ability to solve mathematical equations and speak the English language. Over the years, the SAT has seen its fair share of alterations. Since the coronavirus hit our lives, we’ve been left to adapt to the realities of the world, especially students wanting to get admission into well-known universities.  The College Board, the organisation which administers the SAT test , is also ensuring the universities adapt to the times. That is why they’re making some changes to reduce the demands of students as well. One of the major changes from their end is cancelling the SAT Easy test. This decision by the Board was taken last year. In this blog, we’ll cover this new change, what it means for the students, and how the SAT Essay Cancelled affect college admissions.

Table of Contents

SAT Essay Cancelled

As per the notification by the College Board, they will no longer offer the SAT Essay to high school students. It means that school students will no longer be able to schedule to take the SAT Essay exam. However, there’s an exception to this rule. If a student is required to take the SAT Essay exam as part of the high school graduation requirements, they may take the test. Although, there’s a good chance that the states requiring this will drop the requirement in the future. As a student, you must be up to date with the latest updates by staying in touch with your guiding counsellors or high school administrators.

SAT Subject Test Discontinued

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The SAT Announces Cancellation Of Essay & Subject Tests

Like the SAT Essay, the College Board has also decided to cancel the SAT Subject Test. As per the Board, this test doesn’t offer the same value that it once did. The Board used to offer subject tests on topics like grammar, world history, Latin, modern Hebrew, and math.

Reasons For Discontinuing SAT Essay

As mentioned above, the Covid-19 pandemic has been hard for everyone. However, it was especially tough on high school students and the College Board. The SATs were cancelled repeatedly, while many institutes dropped the SAT requirement entirely in the 2020-2022 phase of admissions. The College Board felt that dropping the SAT essay would help reduce the demands for students for now and in the future. Many experts feel that this decision is also a timely and practical one because most universities don’t require SAT Essay scores as part of the admissions process. Many students had already started dropping the SAT Essay test before this notification. In 2020, hardly 57% of students took the essay section with the SAT exam. That is why it’s believed the College Board may have dropped the SAT essay for operational and financial reasons, as well. Getting rid of the essay portion makes the SAT test entirely multiple-choice, allowing automated grading to occur. As a result, the Board would not have to pay the essay scorers. Moreover, it would also pave the way for a level playing field. Many felt that SAT only catered to the privileged and affluent students. Getting rid of the SAT Essay and subject test requirements may enhance perceived accessibility in standardised testing. For similar reasons, the ACT might end up cancelling the ACT Essay, as well.

Reasons For Discontinuing SAT Subject Test

The main reason behind discontinuing the SAT Subject test is the expanded reach of AP exams. With each passing year, AP tests have become more widespread and cover a range of subjects. Moreover, eliminating the subject tests will open seats to students who need to take the SAT and haven’t had the chance to do so due to the coronavirus pandemic. The widespread availability of the AP exam had led to most universities eliminating the subject test requirements. Plus, the language subject tests were mainly being taken by native speakers. So, colleges were not getting vital information in making admission decisions through this test.

Impact of Cancellation on the Students

To put it simply, students wouldn’t be able to take the SAT Essay test unless it is a part of an SAT School Days Requirements. This notification is most impactful for students who had planned to use their essay scores to make their applications stand out from the crowd. For instance, there have been students in the past who’d hoped their essay scores would help overcome a low overall GPA or math score. However, that wouldn’t be an option for the students anymore.

Impact of Cancellation on Admission Process

If your college required the SAT essay in the past, there are going to be various changes that one may see in the admission process. While some universities or schools may drop the essay requirement, others may ask you to submit additional writing samples to fulfil that requirement. Something similar is also possible with departments that used the SAT Essay for the selection process. So, students applying to literature degrees or programmes that require lots of writing (rigorous writing skills) may have to submit additional college essays samples or take a department-specific placement test. However, this decision likely wouldn’t change anything for students applying to universities where the SAT Essay wasn’t a college admissions process requirement in the first place. The reason is that the admission process isn’t affected by the College Board’s policies.

Next Moves to be Made by the Students

Students should check with their potential universities and schools about the admission process. It’ll allow them to see how the new SAT Essay policies will affect their chances and college application. In such a scenario, admission counsellors can be a great help. Some colleges might ask for AP subject test scores or minimum grades in place of subject tests in specific courses from an applicant. SAT Exam For 2022

Encouraged by the coronavirus pandemic, the College Board has been making substantial investments in making the SAT more inclusive and relevant. That is why last year, the College Board announced to discontinue the SAT Essays and Subject Test. This decision was made by the board to reduce the demand on students for both the present and the future. Plus, they feel that these sections do not offer the same value that they once did. Many colleges had already removed SAT essays scores as a selection criterion some years back. Moreover, AP tests have become widely available and cover various subjects, making them a potent replacement for SAT subject tests. They are of greater importance than ever. While the SAT Essay was an optional essay, the decision of discontinuing it is a major one. For further info on the SAT, like the registration deadline and test date information, book a free counselling session on LeapScholar today.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Will colleges still consider Essay scores if I submit them? 

They might. It will vary from college to college. That is why it is best to check with the colleges that you are interested in studying about their application process. Some may consider or require an optional SAT essay as part of their holistic review process.

How can I show my skills in specific subject areas without the opportunity to take SAT subject tests? 

Many colleges use AP scores as an indicator of a student’s ability and interest in a particular subject area. Plus, colleges also have access to the performance of an applicant in specific subjects areas through SAT scores, ACT scores, and high school transcripts, amongst others. So, you can check directly with the colleges you will apply to for alternative ways to support your application.

How can I make my college application stand out now that the SAT Essay is discontinued? 

Some ways to make your college application or registration stand out are showcasing a potent GPA, strong test scores, extracurricular experience, work experience, compelling LORs, and volunteering experience.

Is the SAT Essay Cancelled? If yes, what is the main reason behind it?

As per the College Board, the primary reason for cancelling SAT Essay was to reduce the demand on students. However, reducing finances and making the SAT more accessible for students are also key reasons.

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Lalitha Manjunath

My 8-year long journey as a SAT trainer has been paved with considerable success, excellent feedback, and extremely satisfactory learning outcomes.

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Canceling SAT Scores: Should You Do It?

Canceling sat scores: everything you need to know.

Every digital SAT test-taker has the option of canceling their scores for a given test date.

This means that the College Board will effectively erase your scores. They will not appear on your record in any way, and you won’t be able to report these SAT scores to colleges.

This is a permanent move! So why might you want to make it?

There are several reasons why canceling SAT scores may be a good idea, which we discuss in this post. If you do opt to cancel your scores, however, you have to act quickly and follow very specific guidelines.

Here’s what cover in this post:

Canceling SAT Scores: What It Means

How to cancel your sat scores, should i cancel my scores, frequently asked questions.

Yes, it is possible to cancel your SAT scores. But what does this actually mean?

Canceling your scores means all of the following:

  • You will not receive official scores for the SAT you’ve taken
  • The College Board will essentially not score your test 
  • If it has already scored your test, or part of it, the College Board will cancel those scores
  • Colleges won’t ever be able to see these scores (and you won’t either!)

Once you have submitted your request for cancellation, that’s it–you won’t be able to change your mind and request a rescoring. Because you’ll never see these scores, they are also not eligible for SAT Superscoring or reporting to colleges.

It will be as if you never actually took the test itself! That being said, it usually isn’t the right move to make. Your SAT score can be a very valuable piece of information, even if you don’t do well: it’ll tell you what you need to focus on and give you a sense of your current capacities. 

It’s especially helpful when used in conjunction with personalized tutoring from an expert SAT coach: our SAT tutors can look at your score report and help you develop a winning digital SAT prep strategy so that your next score is the kind you want to keep. 

This might sound like a pretty big decision to make, rare as it might be. We’ll walk you through how to cancel your scores and then we’ll discuss reasons why you might go this route after taking an official SAT .

There are two ways you can cancel your SAT scores:

  • At the test center itself (on Test Day)
  • By 11:59 PM Eastern time one week after your test date

1) At the Test Center

If you decide to cancel your scores on Test Day itself, all you need to do is ask the on-site test coordinator (often a proctor) for a Request to Cancel Test Scores form .

Fill out this form completely and return it to the test coordinator. The form requires students to submit all of the following information:

  • Official test date
  • Name and address
  • Registration number
  • Test center number and name
  • Name of the test you are canceling (includes SAT and SAT Subject Tests)
  • Signature and date

If you are canceling your scores due to sudden illness or equipment failure (such as a calculator malfunction), your proctor will have to fill out this little box at the bottom of the form:

Canceling SAT Scores

2) After Leaving the Test Center

Some students decide to cancel their scores after they leave the Test Center, either that very afternoon or within the next few days. You can still cancel your scores at this point, provided you do so by 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time within 1 week following your test day.

The College Board encourages test-takers to confirm this deadline with their test coordinator.

Most students take the test on Saturday, so this would mean that you have until Saturday of the following week at 11:59 p.m. to cancel your scores.

If you decide to cancel your stores after you’ve left the test center, download the Request to Cancel Test Scores form, complete it fully, and submit the form by fax or overnight mail delivery.

Canceling by fax:

610-290-8978

Canceling by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail:

SAT Score Cancellation P.O. Box 6228 Princeton, NJ 08541-6228

Canceling by any other overnight service:

SAT Score Cancellation 1425 Lower Ferry Road Ewing, NJ 08618

Why can’t you cancel online or over the phone? The College Board requires students’ actual signatures for score cancellation, so this necessitates a paper submission.

Now comes the big question: should you cancel your SAT scores?

On its website, the College Board states that you can cancel your scores “If you feel you didn’t do your best on the SAT.” This is a rather vague stipulation, however.

What does “your best” look like on the SAT? And how do you know if you’ve reached it without a score report in front of you?

These are tough questions to answer, especially because it’s fairly normal for many test-takers to feel uncertain about their performance after an SAT. It’s also virtually impossible to predict test scores based on “how you feel.”

You may feel that you’ve bombed the SAT, for example, when the opposite is the case; conversely, you may feel that you’ve aced it, when, in reality, you haven’t surpassed your goals.

We also like to remind students that many colleges allow students to Superscore , which means that they will only officially review a student’s  highest SAT section scores across test dates.

You might feel that you haven’t performed to your full potential on an SAT. However, you might have done exceptionally well on one individual section (such as SAT Math), which can be valuable for Superscoring down the road. In this case, canceling your scores would be unwise, as it would preclude you from a potentially awesome Superscore.

So is there a situation when a student should  cancel their scores?

Some students may fall ill during the exam itself or arrive at the test center very much under the weather. While it is possible to take the SAT when sick, illness can profoundly impact student performance. We’ve seen it happen time and time again.

The same goes for any equipment malfunction, such as a calculator going wonky or testing accommodation supports malfunctioning.

Thus, feel free to cancel your scores due to:

  • Equipment failure / malfunction

These are unfortunate scenarios, and ones that definitely merit a score cancellation. But if you feel like canceling just because you  felt  it didn’t go so well, hold off for now.

Students often have a few more questions about score cancellation. Here are our answers.

Can I still cancel my scores if I took the test with accommodations?

Yes! It is possible to cancel scores from SATs taken with accommodations.

Your deadline for submitting a score cancellation form may be different, however, if you take the SAT on a non-standard Test Date. School-based test dates typically require submission by the Monday after the published test date.

What if I don’t have access to a fax machine?

You can still send your cancellation form via overnight mail. Just make sure you use the right address based on the carrier you’ve chosen.

How many times can I cancel my scores?

The College Board does not state a limit to the number of times you can cancel. However, from a time and cost perspective, we caution students against canceling SAT scores more than once (and only due to illness or equipment failure).

Will I ever get to see the scores I’ve canceled?

Unfortunately, no. You won’t be able to view these scores, and colleges will not be able to do so either.

What if my college(s) do not Superscore?

This is a good question.

However, many colleges encourage applicants to submit all of their official SAT scores. For this reason, we still encourage students to cancel their scores only due to illness or equipment failure.

It is possible to cancel your SAT scores, but we urge students to use this option  only if they’ve experienced sudden illness or equipment malfunction. If you are worried about a poor SAT test score, the best thing to do is to make sure you’re prepared for the next retake. 

By working with one of our top-scoring SAT experts , you can make sure that you won’t need to cancel your test score! They’ll help you go into the test prepared and confident, so that you can get the score you need for your college applications. 

Remember: it’s perfectly natural to not feel as confident about one particular Test Day, especially if you are just starting your SAT journey. That’s why we recommend that all high school students set aside the right amount of time for preparation and frequent practice tests.

What counts as a “good” SAT score? This is a natural next question to ask. Find our answer in this post here .

Kate is a graduate of Princeton University. Over the last decade, Kate has successfully mentored hundreds of students in all aspects of the college admissions process, including the SAT, ACT, and college application essay.

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sat essay canceled

SAT Test Canceled? Here’s What to Do

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to close schools and cancel extracurricular events, the coming year ahead holds major changes for high school students. The higher education landscape looks quite rocky, especially after both the College Board (the organization behind the SAT) and ACT canceled testing dates in 2020 (and some dates and location are still in limbo for 2021).

Naturally, many college hopefuls have fewer testing dates to get the scores they need to apply to their top colleges. Some students are now faced with the possibility of taking the ACT or SAT in the midst of senior exams and early decision deadlines. 

So what do these cancelations mean for students who were counting on the tests for their college applications? 

Watch Test Sites

First, students should closely monitor announcements regarding rescheduled dates, checking the official ACT and College Board websites and also closely monitoring their email as test centers continue to close. 

Testing sites will likely fill fast as centers are reopen, so watch these websites closely to give yourself the best chance to get the score you want.

Explore Test-Optional Colleges

2019 saw a huge movement of schools deciding to move test-optional, and this pandemic has pushed more colleges to take the plunge.

So students are encouraged to evaluate what the test cancelations mean for their individual college plans and use this time to refresh their college lists.

Students that don’t always excel at standardized tests can use this time to look at colleges that do not require them. Juniors in particular should monitor the admissions news tool provided by the National Association for College Admission Counseling to have easy access to the latest updates on deadlines for each college. 

Some of these schools are merely dropping the SAT or ACT requirement, while others are stating that they will not review a test score even if one is provided.

More colleges each day are deciding to become test-optional, adding to an ever-growing list including top schools like Case Western Reserve University and the University of Chicago.

As of spring 2020, there are over 1,000 test-optional colleges in America. These are the best test-optional colleges in America in 2020.

To stay current on the list of schools making the move to test-optional, follow the updated list at FairTest.org .  

It’s important to keep in mind that these test-optional schools still have to have some measure to evaluate merit, so more emphasis may be placed on your grades and activities. Spend this spring and summer ensuring that your resume is filled with relevant extracurriculars and that your grades are solid. 

It’s also important to keep the financial impact of test-optional schools in mind. It is difficult for colleges to assess merit without a test score, so many test-optional schools still require test scores to consider you for a merit scholarship. Take this time to do your research on your college list carefully if your education is dependent on receiving financial aid beyond need-based awards.  

Be Prepared

Many students are asking how they can maximize their time at home while social distancing, and one of the best ways is to study.

Students should use this time to study diligently for whichever standardized test they planned to take to make the most out of their delayed chances to test. Colleges for this coming fall may be pushing back deadlines for requiring test scores to allow students more time to take the tests, or they may drop their minimum score thresholds — things are still up in the air. 

In order to facilitate this season of studying, the Khan Academy has continued to offer free online resources on their website . Their courses include classes and full-length practice tests to help students prepare while their school-based practice courses remain closed.

The best advice for students to follow is to study in advance and be prepared for the test as soon as they are able to register again. 

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Author: Michaela Schieffer

Michaela Schieffer is a former admissions counselor and now independent college counselor, guiding students through their college applications and essays through MoonPrep.com . Moon Prep's specialty lies in the Ivy League, direct medical programs (BS/MD), and highly competitive universities.

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Here are my seven tips to the early high schooler in preparing for a strong college application.

We spoke with staff and faculty at Interlochen Arts Academy and Interlochen Arts Camp to get their best tips on overcoming perfectionism, developing confidence, and showcasing your artistic gifts. 

In case you haven’t heard yet, Niche has an amazing new opportunity for high school seniors. Niche Direct Admissions is a program that allows participating colleges to accept students and offer scholarships based on their Niche Profile. That’s right — no application needed.

Ivy League school joins growing list of colleges requiring SAT | College Connection

Dartmouth College announced this month that it will require standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) of all applicants.

The Ivy League institution is joining a growing number of prestigious schools that are turning away from the “test optional” policy adopted during COVID to keep their application numbers high.

Other colleges and universities, popular with New Jersey students, that require test scores include Georgetown University, Purdue University, Georgia Tech, University of Georgia, University of Florida, Florida State, MIT, and the U.S. Military academies.

Even colleges that do not require the SAT for admission typically use it as a criterion for scholarship consideration and to allow students to test out of placement tests. Students without SAT scores are required, prior to the start of freshman year, to take placement tests at the college they will be attending. If they do not score high enough on any of these tests (typically required in English and Math), they are placed in “remedial” courses which require full tuition but award no college credits.

More: How to get accepted to college while acceptance rates plummet | College Connection

In announcing its decision, Dartmouth referred to a study finding that test scores are a better indicator of how well students will likely perform in college than are high school grades, student essays, and teacher recommendations.

Its researchers also analyzed test scores of Dartmouth applicants who had not submitted SAT scores, as colleges can see them after the admissions process is completed. Dartmouth concluded that many students who were denied admission had made a strategic mistake and likely would have been admitted if they had submitted their test scores. Without standardized test scores, admissions officers often struggle to find evidence that a student is academically prepared to succeed in their challenging college environment.

More: The passion project advantage in college admissions | College Connection

Colleges also realize that their original reason for adopting a test optional policy is no longer valid. Starting in March of 2020 and continuing for the rest of that year and beyond, many students were unable to take the SAT as the vast majority of test centers cancelled their administration of the test due to the COVID pandemic. This is no longer the case. Current students who are not submitting SAT scores either did not bother to prepare and take the test or did not perform well enough (in their eyes) to submit scores to colleges.

A recent N.Y. Times headline read, “A Top College Reinstates the SAT. Why other schools may follow Dartmouth’s lead.” Many other colleges are sure to react in the near future.

Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT® preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362 .

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SAT Essay Cancellation: Before College Registration Process

SAT Essay Cancellation: Before College Registration Process

Possible Reasons for Cancellation of SAT Essay

Possible Reasons for Cancellation of SAT Essay

Writing a college application essay comes with its fair share of demands. You need the right writing style. From the instructions, you can learn whether it is a formal or informal tone you have to use.

Besides, college essay cancellation is a likely event. There are various events under which a student and college can cancel SAT essay test. 

sat essay canceled

Is Sat Essay Cancellation Possible?

An essay cancelled

It is possible to cancel your SAT essay. However, before you do so, there are some facts you need to learn by heart . They include the following:

  • You will get back your registration fee within 5 days after processing it
  • You will receive a partial refund
  • Processing of refund takes place 6 weeks after the test date.
  • In case you cannot transfer your SAT registration, you can contact customer care to cancel your request.

After canceling your essay registration, but you decide to write the essay, you can register again. Do not attempt to use your initial registration to take the test. You have no otherwise but to start afresh.

Process of SAT Essay Cancellation

Some circumstances can warrant SAT essay cancellation. Applying to the college of your dream can be a hectic process. You need to ensure you have great SAT scores. And part of the exams you need to undertake is an essay.

A well-written essay will give you an upper hand in joining the college you prefer. That is why you need to give it all the attention it deserves.

A significant number of colleges are currently doing away with sat essays. Besides, as a student, you can also decide to cancel your sat essay.

If you do not feel like taking the SAT essay on the set date, you can make arrangements so that you cancel it. There is a process through which you have to follow for you to withdraw from sitting for your sat essay.

A SAT score

Contacting Customer Support

You need to ensure that you reach out to the customer support team to request the cancellation of your SAT essay test.

Ensure your request comes early enough so that the cancellation process takes place within the shortest time possible.

Sometimes the last-minute rush can be your undertaking. Perhaps a high number of students might be requesting for cancellation of the essay hence it can take a while. 

Request for a Refund

Once you cancel your SAT essay, you need to request your registration refund. Your request must come in early so that you are in a better position of getting your refund.

So, if you want to get back your registration fee do not be late. You do not deserve to wait for a century before you receive your refund. So, ensure you make contact with the relevant customer support team in good time.

Reasons Why your SAT Essay Can Be Canceled

1. use of other means to assess writing skills.

There are several reasons why SAT cancellation might occur. For colleges, they might decide to use other means to test their writing skills. In that connection, your essay will not be a matter of consideration.

That means you will need to bank on other SAT subjects to score highly. But in the case of writing skills, there are other measures the college can use to determine how you express yourself in writing.

2. Student’s Decision

As a student, you can also cancel your SAT essay test if you are not in a position to undertake it. If you have genuine reasons for not sitting for an essay exam, ensure you notify the relevant body as soon as possible.

making a personal decision

In this regard, you have to contact the customer support team to get guidelines on how you can go about your SAT essay cancellation. 

3. Simplifying SATs

The need to simplify SATs is a valid reason for canceling essays.

Colleges have come up with other ways how to test students’ writing skills. For that reason, there is no need to lay the burden of writing essays on students.

Already the students have several papers they need to prepare for and ensure that they pass.

4. Massive Cheating

An SAT essay cancellation can be heartbreaking. However, it is a situation that some students find themselves in. Cheating is one vice that leads to the cancellation of SAT essays by some colleges.

In as much as you want to get a great score, you do not have to use shortcuts. For the college you intend to apply to it will be hard to determine your strength and weaknesses in writing.

That is why canceling the SAT essay will be a great idea.

5. Reliance on Essay Writing Services

Some students seek assistance from companies that provide essay writing services . That means they do not write the essays by themselves. Instead, they get an experienced essay writer to do the work on their behalf.

In exchange, they will pay an agreed fee. Therefore, the admissions board will not easily determine the writing capability of students. That is why most colleges are now doing away with SAT essays.

6. High Essay Registration Fees

To undertake your SAT exams, you will need to pay a certain fee. Paying the necessary fee on time ensures that you can sit for your exams on the set date.

College registration fees

But delays will lead to the cancellation of your SAT essay test. Unfortunately, some students are unable to pay the registration fee. So, colleges are abolishing SAT essays at least to shoulder such expenses from students.

As much as SAT essays are crucial in determining the writing skills of students, they have some disadvantages. For instance, students need to pay for the SAT essay test.

Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to pay the set fee. Besides, some students might resort to cheating to impress the admissions board. That is why some colleges are opting to cancel the SAT essays. 

In the event of the cancellation of SAT essays, colleges are adopting new ways of measuring a student’s writing prowess. Besides, colleges are aiming to simplify the SATs so that they do not become a burden to students.

Therefore, students who do not feel ready to sit for an SAT essay can cancel their registration and get a refund.

Josh Jasen

When not handling complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.

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COMMENTS

  1. College Board Will No Longer Offer SAT Subject Tests or SAT with Essay

    Why are you discontinuing the optional SAT Essay? We're adapting to respond to the changing needs of students and colleges. This change simply streamlines the process for students who have other, more relevant opportunities to show they can write an essay as part of the work they're already doing on their path to college.

  2. The SAT Announces Dropping Essay and Subject Tests

    The SAT Announces Dropping Essay and Subject Tests - The New York Times Retooling During Pandemic, the SAT Will Drop Essay and Subject Tests By dropping or suspending the requirement that...

  3. The College Board Has Ended the SAT Essay

    Starting in June 2021, students taking the SAT will no longer be able to take the SAT Essay exam (unless it's part of an SAT School Days requirement). Not being able to take the SAT Essay is most impactful for students who'd planned to use their essay scores to make their applications stand out.

  4. SAT Discontinues Subject Tests And Optional Essay : NPR

    The College Board announced on Tuesday that it will discontinue the optional essay component of the SAT and that it will no longer offer subject tests in U.S. history, languages and math, among...

  5. SAT subject tests and essay are canceled in welcome sign of exam's

    SAT subject tests and essay are canceled in welcome sign of exam's pending demise Both the content of the test and the industry that surrounds it have become barriers for students from less...

  6. The Optional SAT Essay: What to Know

    In June 2021, the College Board opted to discontinue the SAT essay. Now, only students in a few states and school districts still have access to — and must complete — the SAT essay. This...

  7. College Board will no longer offer SAT's optional essay and ...

    Those registered for the SAT essay will still be able to take the test through June 2021. In response to why the organization is discontinuing the SAT essay, College Board again referenced...

  8. The College Board Is Eliminating The SAT Essay And Subject ...

    Jan 19, 2021,02:41pm EST This article is more than 3 years old. Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin College Board said it would offer a digital version of the SAT last year but...

  9. College Board Eliminates SAT Subject Tests and Essay

    By Vivi E. Lu and Dekyi T. Tsotsong, Crimson Staff Writers. January 25, 2021. The College Board will permanently eliminate the SAT Subject Tests or SAT with essay to better adapt to the pandemic ...

  10. SAT Subject Tests + Essay Discontinued: How This Impacts College

    The SAT Essay is Discontinued. For similar reasons, the SAT Essay is also no longer offered after June 2021. Only students in select states will have access, if they're taking the SAT through the SAT School Day program. Students registered for the Essay in Spring 2021 will have the option to cancel the essay at no extra cost.

  11. College Board Ends SAT Subject Tests: What You Need to Know

    On January 19, 2021, the College Board announced that it would no longer administer SAT Subject Tests (or the SAT Essay). This is a major shift in the world of standardized testing, and it creates a lot of questions. What does it mean that the College Board is dropping SAT Subject Tests? Why did they make this decision?

  12. Discontinuation of the SAT Essay and What It Means for Students

    The SAT Essay, previously an optional 50-minute section at the end of the test, tasked students with analyzing a given passage. The aim was to assess how the author constructed their argument using various rhetorical devices and techniques. ... With testing dates postponed or canceled, there was a broader reevaluation of the necessity of ...

  13. The SAT Essay & Subject Tests Have Been Permanently Canceled: What That

    The May and June 2021 Subject Tests have been canceled, so the College Board will be automatically refunding registration fees. You may want to speak with a college counselor to determine the best plan to demonstrate your skills to colleges in other ways. ... Many colleges - especially the more selective ones - opted to keep the SAT Essay as an ...

  14. SAT Cancels Tests in US and Abroad

    The College Board, the organization that administers the tests, said it will discontinue some and improve others. Subject tests such as biology, chemistry and world history, for example, will be ...

  15. SAT Subject Tests Are Cancelled: What That Means for You

    In January 2021, the College Board announced the cancellation of SAT Subject Tests and the optional essay section of the SAT for college-bound students in the United States. These tests will be discontinued internationally after June 2021.

  16. SAT Cancellation

    Here's one important detail: You must submit your cancellation request no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the Thursday after your test day. To cancel, you have two options: Submit request at the test center Students can immediately request cancellation right after their test.

  17. SAT exams will see big changes in 2024. What students need to know

    SAT registration deadline is coming up, but lots of students unaware of changes The deadline to register for the March SAT is in just a few weeks, on Feb. 23. "It's not on everyone's radar ...

  18. How to Cancel Your SAT Registration and Test

    (The full price you paid for the SAT is $46, or $60 with the essay, so they refund you only about 1/5 of the total.) In order to get the refund, you must call at least five days before your exam date. After that, there's no chance of a refund.

  19. Canceling an SAT Registration

    Instructions Sign in to your My SAT account and go to the registration you want to cancel. From the "I would like to" menu, select Cancel Registration. You can cancel the registration or register for a new date first. Resources Article SAT Dates and Deadlines Get the latest dates and deadlines for the SAT Weekend administrations.

  20. The SAT Announces Cancellation Of Essay & Subject Tests

    Impact of Cancellation on Admission Process Next Moves to be Made by the Students Conclusion Leap Scholar: Study Abroad Scholarships For Indian Students 2021 Watch on SAT Essay Cancelled As per the notification by the College Board, they will no longer offer the SAT Essay to high school students.

  21. Canceling SAT Scores: Should You Do It?

    Yes! It is possible to cancel scores from SATs taken with accommodations. Your deadline for submitting a score cancellation form may be different, however, if you take the SAT on a non-standard Test Date. School-based test dates typically require submission by the Monday after the published test date.

  22. SAT Test Canceled? Here's What to Do

    The higher education landscape looks quite rocky, especially after both the College Board (the organization behind the SAT) and ACT canceled testing dates in 2020 (and some dates and location are still in limbo for 2021). Naturally, many college hopefuls have fewer testing dates to get the scores they need to apply to their top colleges.

  23. Opinion: The lose-lose decision on the SAT

    Elite colleges may bring back mandatory SAT or ACT scores, tests that reflect long-standing racial and economic inequalities, but getting rid of them may actually be worse for underprivileged ...

  24. What to Do if Your SAT or ACT is Canceled

    Many sites have already canceled the November 7 test. So if you're registered for an upcoming SAT, be sure to check the College Board's website for updates. ACT, too, leaves the decision up to testing centers but, unlike the College Board, compiles a centralized list of canceled and rescheduled tests by location. Moreover, in response to ...

  25. Dartmouth joins other schools requiring SAT

    Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT® preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call ...

  26. SAT Essay Cancellation: Before College Registration Process

    It is possible to cancel your SAT essay. However, before you do so, there are some facts you need to learn by heart. They include the following: You will get back your registration fee within 5 days after processing it. You will receive a partial refund. Processing of refund takes place 6 weeks after the test date.

  27. Weekend Edition Saturday for February 17, 2024 : NPR

    Indiana University abruptly canceled a Palestinian artist's exhibit. It's now sold out. Listen · 3:53 3:53. Toggle more options. Download; Embed. Embed <iframe ...