CORONA CHAOS FOR COLLEGE TESTING: DON’T GIVE UP YOUR TEST PREP

College testing policies are in the spotlight of college news these days. The cancellation of scheduled test dates this spring, due to the pandemic, along with unreliable information from the testing agencies and a process plagued with inadequacies, has prompted many colleges to go test-optional.

The College Board announced earlier this spring that it was prepared to launch a new digital version of the SAT, which could be taken at home to accommodate social distancing requirements. Once they realized they were in over their heads with technological challenges, the College Board followed with another announcement 2 days ago. They will postpone plans to offer the test at home, although they will offer it at some high schools.  I realize all of this is about as clear as mud, judging from the phone calls I receive from parents, who can’t keep up with what amounts to weekly changes. They’ve had enough and are entitled to feel frustrated.

Parents, residing in areas highly impacted by a coronavirus, have been faced with a difficult decision, as they have weighed the importance of test scores against the health and safety of their children. Colleges have been sympathetic, prioritizing safety, as evidenced through their decisions to consider easing test requirements for applicants.

While students decide if they should submit test scores, there are several things they should know. Nothing is as it seems. Test optional is not the same as test blind.  While test scores, in many cases, are not a requirement this year, it doesn’t mean they won’t be weighed in admission decisions. Even at colleges that claim to be test-optional, test scores may still be required for certain majors. Test scores have historically been used to determine merit aid, which can lead to substantial scholarship money. Applicants hoping to reduce the cost of college could be leaving money on the table by not reporting test scores. It may be of interest to some that going test-optional increases college enrollment. Colleges struggling to balance budgets, especially those which are tuition-driven (rather than relying on endowment funds), are hurting financially. They need to reach their enrollment goals or many will face the threat of closure. This is a hidden benefit to colleges.

The best course of action for students, faced with confusion over this vital step in the college application process, is to familiarize themselves with college testing policies. Check with your colleges, and check often. Inquire if policies vary for different majors. This is the only real defense against the chaos created by a coronavirus and let’s not forget to give credit to the testing agencies.

For those who may be wondering about the future of testing, my prediction is that testing is here to stay. Colleges and the testing agencies share a mutually dependent relationship. The testing agencies provide student information to colleges at a cost, allowing them to market to their audience. Testing agencies have a steady stream of income resulting from testing fees and the sale of their marketing lists. Have you ever wondered why super scoring became commonplace? Almost all students are happy to have their parents pay twice for the chance to increase their perceived scores. These higher scores make colleges appear to be more selective than they actually are. The partnership between the testing agencies and colleges is mutually beneficial, although there is no benefit to students.

Now is not the time to abandon your test prep!