ACT and SAT updates

A note to the class of 2022:

As we have seen tests continue to be cancelled in some parts of the country, we expect most colleges to extend their class of 2021 policies to the class of 2022. In almost all cases, colleges were Test Optional or Test Free for fall 2020 applicants. Florida state universities were the notable exceptions.

The current state of testing in Washington:

As long as testing sites (schools) are closed, the College Board and ACT will not be able to run the tests as it is the testing sites that determine whether or not the tests will run. Unfortunately this means that they are still cancelling tests the day before.

But what are colleges saying?

• Last year we saw colleges release modifications to their test score policies in March, so we are expecting announcements for the class of 2021 to come from the schools soon. So far, schools have not released any new information as they are likely working on acceptances and denials.

• Colleges and universities do not expect you to drive over state lines or fly to another country to take the test. Remember, MOST juniors in your state of residence are in the same boat!

• Colleges and universities cannot require something that is not accessible to everyone in the United States.

What do I do if I haven’t been able to take a test or even register?

Here are some suggestions:

• Call the school office where you are registered to test and speak with either the secretary or the testing coordinator and ask directly if the site will be open for the test or not. For the February ACT, a school in Shelton was still planning to be open, for better or worse (thanks to Sandweiss Test Prep for the tip!)

• Even though it’s early, begin researching the test score policies of schools that you are interested in applying to. If most of your schools are test-blind or test-optional, the pressure may be off.

• If you are a sophomore this year, do not worry about trying to prep for the test now. Focus on keeping your grades up in your classes. Start thinking about test prep again summer and fall. We will have A LOT more information by then.

In summary, we will just have to wait and see what happens with COVID, schools, and availability of vaccines before we know anything for sure. .

5 things you need to know about the new grading system in Washington State

Here are the top 5 things you need to know from OSPI’s Student Learning and Grading Guidance sent to Washington teachers on April 22nd.

1. Grading will follow a “do no harm” policy. 

This means that a student’s grade cannot become worse than the grade that they had on March 17 when schools closed. A student’s grade in a class on March 17 will act as a baseline and every student will have an opportunity to improve that grade. 

2. Students will not be required to repeat a grade level. 

Unless it is mutually agreed upon by the teachers and parents/guardians of a student, every student will move onto the next grade level. 

3. No student will receive a “pass,” “fail,” or “no credit” grade for any course.

Essentially what this means for Seattle Public Schools, who have adopted an A/F grading system, is that every student gets an A. However, students who do no engage with learning at all will receive a grade of “incomplete.”  If a student receives an incomplete, it will be up to districts to decide what an “incomplete” means and how to provide that learning later on whether that is in summer school (presumably online for summer 2020), re-taking courses the following year,  independent study, or online classes. Every class taken during the school closure will be designated on students’ transcripts. Middle school students may still earn P/NP or C/NC grades.

4. Districts will be deciding which grading system to use. 

Have an issue with your child’s grading system? Email your school principal or the district, not your child’s teacher. They have no control over it. 

5. Attendance will not be a factor when determining student grades. 

Enough said.

Student learning times

Consistent with those student learning times published by OSPI here, districts, teachers and school principals determine which Washington State Student Learning content standards, skills, and knowledge are most essential for student success in the next course, content, or grade level.

recommended learning times as published by ospi

We are all in this together

OSPI also reminds families that students, families, and educators are learning together right now. No one has had any previous training to prepare for a situation quite like this. Curriculum that teachers have been using for years may be unusable right now, causing them to work around the clock to figure out what the best learning resources are for their students. 

According to OSPI, “without a vaccine, continuous learning at a distance may extend into the next school year in some form.” If we are going to continue to survive and hopefully eventually thrive together, above all, it is important right now for all of us to remember to take care of our basic human needs and those of our children. 

Take care of yourselves and each other, especially your children’s teachers who are working tirelessly to make sure that all of their students are getting what they need and deserve.

Source: Washington OSPI Student Learning and Grading Guidance

My ACT or SAT was cancelled. Now what?

In response to COVID-19, the College Board and ACT, Inc., announced that the SAT and ACT will be postponed until at least June. Students who were planning on taking the makeup SAT on March 28, the SAT on May 2, or the ACT on April 4 will have to adjust their testing plans. If you were signed up for these test dates, College Board will be refunding your money. We recommend signing up for the June SAT and ACT as soon as possible. Rest assured that colleges and universities are aware that this is affecting millions of students and they will make adjustments if necessary to the admissions process this coming fall. Because the situation is changing day by day, there have not yet been any announcements on how colleges will handle these testing delays. The SAT and ACT are also offered in the fall, with December 2020 as the last test date most colleges will accept. So, what does this mean? It means you have time. Remember, every single high school student in the world is experiencing this and are working to figure out a plan. 

What do I do if my test date has been postponed?

For students who have spent months preparing, we understand that this is an extremely stressful time. But don’t worry – all of the work that you have put in isn’t for nothing. We recommend that you continue to prepare for your exams by either continuing your test prep class or private tutoring online. In fact, this gives you even more time to prepare. In our experience, an increase in test scores is directly related to the amount of time that a student puts in on their own time. This means that after your tutoring lesson or your class, take time to really understand the strategies and material on your own. This will build your confidence outside of a classroom setting and help you be more prepared when you do actually take the test. If your school isn’t providing you with enough work to keep you busy all day, this is your chance to put in more time getting ready to test.

AP and Subject Exams  

If you were planning to take the SAT Subject Exams in June and your test date has been postponed from March or May, you may need to adjust your plans. You cannot take the SAT and the Subject Exams on the same day. If you are in this situation, consider taking your Subject Exams on June 6 and move your SAT test prep to the fall for August or October exams. The reason for this is that it’s best to take the Subject Exams at the end of the academic year. If you are planning to take the June ACT, you can take the Subject Exams on June 6 and the ACT on June 13 (at the publishing time of this post). 

The College Board is working on plans to possibly allow for AP testing online in May if circumstances demand it. They are planning on releasing more information about this on Friday, March 20. 

 What’s next? 

We are currently working on plans to further support our students who have been affected by this massive change in schedule. Please feel free to reach out to our office at booking@sevenpointsprep.com or 206-701-0232 and we will be happy to answer any questions for you to the best of our ability. We are continuing to hold private and group sessions online. If you are currently working with a tutor or enrolled in one of our group classes, we will be communicating with you directly. Hang tight – together, we’ve got this. 

By Sarah Leonard, MA