The COVID Crystal Ball: Looking at the Future of Testing and College Admissions
By Amy S on Updated:
Back when all “this” started in March, I doubt that most people thought we would still be dealing with Covid-19 going in August. But we are. In working with families on the college process, I always stress that I don’t have a crystal ball that foresees where students will be admitted. I certainly wish I did.
When all of this began in March, most people did not expect COVID-19 to affect us in August. Yet here we are.
As I guide families through the college process, I remind them that I cannot predict admissions results. I wish I could, but no one has that certainty.
Since March, very few students in the Class of 2021 have taken the ACT or SAT. Many registered for fall test dates. Although the ACT reopened registration for September, testing may still face disruptions. Health concerns continue to create uncertainty.
Most colleges have adopted test-optional or test-blind policies. Test-optional allows students to choose whether to submit scores. Some rising seniors completed testing before March 2020. However, many who planned to test could not do so.
If you have not tested, you are not alone. Colleges will likely place greater emphasis on transcripts, activities, recommendation letters, and essays.
If you plan to apply to a college that still requires the ACT or SAT and you lack scores, contact the admissions office. Explain your situation. Ask whether they will consider AP, PSAT, or IB scores instead. They will understand the challenges you faced.
Colleges do use test scores in admissions, especially at more selective schools. Test scores, like GPA, are used as data points. So if you can test and are comfortable testing, I encourage you to test. Do not do it as the risk of your mental or physical health. If there is any year that college admissions will be flexible, it is for the Class of 2021.
Rising juniors (Class of 2022), please do not sign up for tests for the fall. Leave that slim possibility to the seniors. Standardized test scores are meant to measure what a typical junior in high school knows. That means that the Class of 2023 (rising sophomores) and beyond do not need to think about the ACT or SAT.
Another issue impacting standardized testing is social unrest. It has long been said (and I agree) that standardized tests benefit the wealthy and privileged. The push to remove standardized testing has been in place for quite a while and Covid-19 has pushed the momentum forward. If colleges see that admitting students without standardized test scores still leads to successful outcomes, more schools may permanently drop the requirement for ACT or SAT scores. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Most schools in our area have announced they will hold classes remotely this fall. Remember, this situation affects everyone and remains beyond our control. When schools closed in March, administrators acted quickly and shifted into emergency mode.
Educators have since created detailed plans for the fall, and they will approach this term differently. Contact your specific school or district directly for the most accurate information.
You might consider adding a tutor to supplement classroom instruction, especially for rigorous subjects like math, which builds essential skills. Small group tutoring can also provide academic and social benefits while remaining cost-effective.
We will get through this. None of us has ever experienced something like this before. I have seen some true growth and amazing in students in how they respond to the pandemic. Colleges want to hear about this.
Mary Pat ONeil is an Independent College Counselor at True Fit College Counseling